704 
Tehuantepec, are smaller, according to a natural size 
photograph taken by Messrs. G. N. Collins and C. B. 
Doyle." (Pittier.) For distribution later. 
Opuntia spp. (Cactaceae.) 36350-357. Seeds of prickly 
pears from Peru. Collected by Mr. W. P. Wight, of this 
Bureau. Eight varieties from Cuzco and Arequipa, Peru, 
and Oruro and La Paz, Bolivia. Among them are some tunas 
of very good quality, and some from an elevation of 13500 
feet. For distribution later. 
Oryza sp. (Poaceae.) 36533. Seeds of the interesting 
perennial rice from the Colonial Garden, Nogent-sur-Marne , 
France. This is the first introduction of seeds of this 
species, plants of which were introduced previously under 
number 34092 and are now being experimented with by Mr. 
Chambliss of the Office of Cereal Investigations. In 
quality this rice is said to be superior to the annual 
rices of the West African coast. It may also have an un- 
usual alkali resistance. For distribution later. See 
halftone . 
Panax quinquefolium . ( Araliaceae . ) 36282. Ginseng 
seeds from Songdo, Korea. Presented by Mr. N. Gist Gee, 
Soochow University, Soochow, China. "The soil is prepared 
by mixing sand and loam in the proportion of 1:1. The 
sand is frequently obtained by sifting it from the bed of 
a nearby stream. In order to get as near as possible to 
the natural wild environments of the plant, the leaves of 
the oak or chestnut trees are collected, allowed to decay, 
and then dried. When dry the leaves are crumbled very 
fine, and then mixed half and half with sand sifted from 
the hill-side. This is obtained by first removing the top 
layer and getting the unexposed earth. The plants are 
cultivated on elevated beds about 6 or 8 inches above the 
pathways between them. These are usually about wide 
enough for one to work them from one side (about 2 or 2% 
feet.) The length of the bed varies with the kind of 
field, short on hillside, quite long in the valley. Fer- 
tilizer one inch thick is spread upon the beds before the 
seeds are planted. The beds are covered over with sheds 
with top and one side stationary and a curtain which can 
roll up and down forming the other side. They seem to 
keep the plants sheltered throughout their entire period 
of growth, and regulate the amount of sunlight by the 
curtains. Before planting soak the seeds in water for 
four days until they swell and are nearly ready to burst. 
Then take them out and dry them. This should be done be- 
fore Fall. In the Fall bury a vessel' in the earth in a 
shady place and put the seeds as already prepared in it, 
