1776 
States, an effort is being made to obtain seed from as 
many different regions in Peru as possible. The fol- 
lowing note is taken from H. L. Westover, Development 
of the Peruvian Alfalfa Industry in the United States, 
Department Circular 93: 
"As compared with common alfalfa, both the Peru- 
vian" alfalfas are more upright, less branched, and have 
fewer and somewhat coarser stems and smaller crowns. 
In thick stands, these differences are hardly notice- 
able. Most of the Peruvian introductions are also 
characterized by rapid growth, by quick recovery after 
cutting, and, in sections having a mild climate, by 
ability to make growth in cool weather after ordinary 
alfalfas have ceased growing. Under such conditions 
the former starts growth. earlier in the spring and 
continues later in the fall, thereby giving more cut- 
tings each season.- The principal objection advanced 
in times past to these alfalfas is their tendency to 
become somewhat woody when allowed to stand beyond the 
flowering stage, but this difficulty is easily obviated, 
by harvesting earlier. 
"Lack of hardiness will always confine the suc- 
cessful production of the true and smooth Peruvian 
alfalfas to the southern and southwestern portions of 
the United States, where the climatic conditions are 
comparatively mild. They can not be grown to advantage 
where the winter temperature falls below 10° F. 
"At the present time most of the Peruvian and 
smooth Peruvian alfalfa in the United States is found 
in Arizona and California. It has also been grown to 
a limited extent in New Mexico, Texas, and the coastal 
regions of the southeastern states. The results se- 
cured seem to indicate that in much of this region the 
common alfalfa could be replaced very profitably by 
Peruvian alfalfa." 
55-517. "Monsefu Norte. " 
55518. "Quebrada de Tangas . " 
55519. "Sierra Alta." 
Meibomia rensoni (Fabaceae) , 55446. From San Salva- 
dor, Salvador. Seeds presented by Dr. don Carlos Ren- 
son, Director del Laboratorio Quimico. The "barajillo" 
is a rapidly growing shrub, native to the Republic of 
Salvador at altitudes ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 feet. 
Under favorable conditions it sometimes becomes a 
small tree about 18 feet high. The trifoliolate leaves 
are softly hairy and up to 3| inches in length, and 
the small purplish flowers are borne in terminal ra- 
