558 
year. As each tenant does the same thing, only with a dif- 
ferent assortment, each field of chacras is yearly sown with 
a hundred or more different collections of seeds, selected 
especially by taste only and not by sight. Atoms of pollen 
aviate great distances, and as no two melon patches are a 
greater distance than 60 meters apart, the aerial hybridizing 
commences and ends with the bloom. In this way every melon 
ripens with its seeds crossed by some other or others of 
equal, but perhaps different merits. Every year new kinds of 
melons are created and these ignorant people are selectors by 
taste instead of scientific attainments. There are no people 
better fit to judge of melon quality than these, as they live 
upon them during their season. As this breeding process of 
crossing improved sorts is continued, year after year, it is 
not surprising that Chilean melons have reached a high degree 
of excellence. The seed sent was a production of this year, 
having flavor, quantity, and character of its own, so firm as 
to be a good shipper. If its merits can be reproduced it is 
extra good, but as they are already crossed there is no secur- 
ity." (Husbands.) For distribution later. 
CUMINUM CYMINUM. (Apiaceae.) 33646. Seeds of cumin 
from Valletta, Malta. Presented by Mr. James Oliver Laing, 
American consul. "The seed of the cumin plant is raised in 
Malta and the most of the crop is exported. It has various 
uses: It forms the flavoring basis of several drinks, among 
them kummel. Cumin seed is also used in the Netherlands and 
several other places as a flavoring for cheese. In Syria and 
Egypt and probably in other Mohammedan countries it is used as 
a condiment. Cumin is of the parsley family and has fennel- 
like leaves. It is a cultivated crop in Malta but I have seen 
it growing wild in Egypt and the hills of the Palestine 
hinterland. Altitude seems to affect the growth of the plant 
very little. In Malta It is grown a few feet above the sea 
and within a stone's throw of it and it also grows wild in the 
highland valleys of Hindustan, 7000 feet above the sea and 
inland. The Malta cumin plant grows about one foot or a 
little less in height. Cumin is planted in Malta in January 
or February and the crop is ready for the harvest in June or 
July. Weather conditions (rain and temperature) make a few 
weeks difference occasionally in the times for planting and 
reaping. One crop a year is raised and it must be planted 
each year. No attempt is made at cultivation while the crop 
Is growing. When ready to be harvested the whole plant is 
• pulled up by the roots by hand. This Is easy as the roots are 
readily broken and the soil is very porous and light. After 
pulling the plants from the ground, they are beaten against a 
board or bar to knock the seeds loose. Seeds are winnowed to 
