UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, BERKELEY, CAL. E. W. HILGARD, Director. BULLETIN NO. 103 DISTRIBUTION OF SE1E9S AND PbAJNTS. Interest in the distribution feature of our field and garden work constantly increases, and evidence of the value of some of the growths thus disseminated is abundant. la issuing an- other announcement, however, we desire to remind all correspondents that they assume an obligation to report to us the results of their experience with the plants received, and that the records of their observation are often of great value to us. As we have now a report in preparation, we are especially desirous to hear of the behavior of all growths which we have hitherto distributed. We trust all correspond- ents will remember this as they make their choice from the things offered in this Bulletin. This distribution from the station is for the purpose of securing wide trial of growths new to the State, and does not include common trees, plants and seeds, which can be had from dealers. For this reason, we do not invite ap- plications for general supplies of garden seeds or fruit trees. We cannot furnish them. We cannot undertake distribution to citizens of other States, except where desirable ex- changes are offered. Terms. — Our experience has demonstrated that requiring a small contribution insures the applicant's interest and relieves us from the profitless work of supplying the throng of peo- ple who always carelessly send for what costs them nothing, and who, as a rule, give no at- tention to the trial of the material sent them, and therefore do not report results. For this reason, applicants are requested to send the amount specified in connection with each de- scription below to meet the expenses of pack- ing and postage. If they desire seeds sent by express, applicants need not send the amounts specified for postage, but all orders for seeds by express must be accompanied by a remittance of 25 cents to pay for packing. Express charges are paid by the recipient. Applications may be made for one or more kinds of seeds, but an ap- plicant should not order more than one package of a kind. In case any kind of seed become ex- hausted, the money sent will be returned, un- less a second choice is mentioned by the sender. Postal notes are requested instead of stamps whenever practicable. Any surplus left after filling orders will, as far as possible, be returned to the senders, deducting letter postage. CEREALS. Although the interest in experiments with new varieties of cereals has been greatly re- duced by the low market values of these grains, we still find some growers awake to the chance of improvement through the growth of superior varieties. It is an interesting fact that the notable collections of cereals in variety which were displayed by some counties in the Califor- nia Building at the World's Fair were grown from seed furnished from this station. We of- fer this year several varieties new to California. Carter s New Cross-bred Wheats. — We have grown for two years and determined the desir- ability for further local trial by wheat- growers, a collection of cross-bred wheats produced by hybridization by James Carter & Co., High Holborn, London, England. The chief aims of the originators of these wheats were to secure early maturity, prime milling quality, heavy bearing and good straw. We believe that wherever these varieties are adapted to the cli- mate they will be found to be strikingly fine in comparison with varieties now largely grown here. We trust they will attract the attention of wheat-growers: Queen— Straw medium, stout, bright; chaff vel- vety; grain excellent; resists rust. Prince of Wales— Early; straw long and white; grain eood milling; heavy bearer. Earliest of A 11— Believed to be the earliest wheat in cultivation; straw medium thin but stiff; very productive ; amber grain. Miller's Delight— Straw upright, very bright col- ored; grain white; plant strong in growth and dark green. Pearl— Straw long and stout; ear close-set and lightly bearded; grain roundish, amber white; resists rust. Holborn Wonder— Straw stout and strong; ear long and close-set; very productive; grain pale brown. Hundredfold— Early; straw medium and not dis- posed to lodge; ears long and well filled; grain pale brownish-red; free from rust. Stand-up— Straw very short, erect and not lodged by wind; grain firmly set and not easily shaken out; pale amber color; resists rust. FlourbaU— Very early; straw long, ears medium length; grain varied in color from deep amber to pale red. Pride of the Market— Early, but late in showing ears; straw long, ears close set; grain not easily shelled out; pale amber color. Birdproof— Named because of pointed awn, which repels birds; straw, long, stout and strong; grain pale amber, plump and hand- some. Anglo- Canadian— Bearded, hardj% very early; straw strong and long; grain pale red, plump and even. Hessian Fly Wheats. — Although we have for several years offered wheats not liable to injury by Hessian fly, much demand for them has not arisen until last winter, when we were not able to fill all orders. We have grown another sup- ply of seed. Although the wheats are rather dark in color for the market, the value of the varieties for hay purposes in regions infested by Hessian fly is very clear, and we hope they will be generally tried for this purpose. They are bearded wheats, but early cutting will reduce this evil somewhat. We offer four varieties: (1) Russian Red, (2) Volo, (3) Petali, (4) Atlanti. Rice. — To assist correspondents having lands subject to overflow or flooding, who have mani- fested a desire to experiment with rice, we have secured a supply of seed of the best Louisiana variety. Land for rice should be so situated that the application of water can be regulated. Prepare the land as for grain, sow in drills and cover with two to three inches of soil. Admit the water until it stands 12 to 18 inches deep. The water is allowed to remain for three to six days, for the seed to germinate. The water is then drawn off and the surface allowed to dry until the plant has secured good rooting. Water is admitted again when the plants have put out two leaves, and is allowed to stand on the ground while the plant is making its growth; the water being drawn off to allow the rice stalk to gain strength and the ground to dry for the conve- nience of the reapers. There is some variation in the practice of rice-growers in the different rice countries, and probably local methods will arise here if the crop seems suited to local con- ditions. Terms for Cereals.— Applicants for seeds of the cereals named above may order a single pack age of any one or of all varieties, but we cannot furnish more than a single package of one vari- ety — 15c. for each variety in 1-lb. sacks, postage paid. y TABLE GRAPES FROM PERSIA. The grapes of the table lands of Persia have won praise from all travelers who have eaten them. These vines are of the vitis vinifera, but the fruit has quite a distinctive character when compared with the varieties chiefly grown in the west of Europe. Prof. H. E. Van Deman, ex-Pomologist of the Department of Agricul- ture, secured through the kindly aid of our Minister at Teheran, Hon. E. Spencer Pratt, an importation of the best Persian varieties. These vines were in part entrusted to this station and we have propagated enough to offer a small supply to our correspondents this year. Those varieties which we have fruited ripen very early, about with the Sweetwater, and as they are much firmer fleshed and tougher skinned than that variety they may prove of high value for early shipping. The berries of the varieties we have fruited thus far are of large size, long-oval form and good quality. We offer the following varieties this year; the descriptions are imperfect, as some have not yet fruited here: 1—Paykaynee Razukee: Bright red, large, long, few seeds. 2— Dizmar: Light yellow, very sweet, long and taDering. S—Khallillee: Said to be the earliest in Persia. 4— Askaree: Widely grown in Persia and used both for table and drying; black, resembling Cornichou but considerably earlier. 5—Rish Bala: Also a leading variety in the Orient for table and drying and said to keep until SDring. 6—Hutab: A large, sweet grape. 7—Shiraz: Named for one of the most impor- tant grape regions of Persia, where it is a lead- ing sort. 8—Alhakahee: Red, said to be suited for long keeping. 9—Chavooshee: Green, a rare variety in Persia. 10— White Shahanee: Large, oblong, light color. Our supply is small; so far as it goes we will send one vine of each kind at the rate of five cents for each variety ordered, by mail, post- paid. ITALIAN WINE GRAPE S. We have now propagated sufficiently for dis- tribution an important collection of valuable Italian grape varieties imported in 1891 by this station through the kindness of Count G. di Rovasenda of Turin, the well-known Italian ampelographer. The pecularities that make these grapes very valuable for culture in Cali- fornia, whose climate is so similar to that of Italy, is their remarkably high acidity con- jointly with a good proportion of sugar; they are likely also to reach an unusually high per- centage of sugar while still maintaining a good proportion of acidity. Besides, they are quite astringent, and yield wines of deep color. In general they produce wines which are in large demand, both in Italian and foreign markets, on account of their remarkably good keeping qualities, their deep color, very pronounced vinosity and agreeable acidity; by aging, their astringency is reduced, and then they are very delicate, and can be considered as first-class dry wines, of as good quality as those of the Bordeaux type. The following varieties are ready for distribution: *1. fPelarerga. 22. Erbalus di Caluso. 2. Gioreto. 23. Monica. 3. Colutam cucco bifcondo. *24. Nebbiolo di Dronero. 4. Malvasia Rovasenda. 25. Vernaccia Sarda. 5. tAntibo. 26. Neiretta. 6. Negro amaro. 27. Danugue. 7. fFavorita. "29. Trivioti. *8. Tadone. *30. Negro dolce. 9. Tor ok goher. 31. Croatina. 10. Bermestia violacea. 32. Malvasia de la Cartuja. *11. Croetto Moretto. 33. Oattaratu a la porta. *12. Chenin noir. 34. Mammolo Toscano. '13. Zinzillosa. 35. tOlivette de Cadeneb. 14. Malvasia di Brolio. *36. tAspiran noir. ( 15. tQuagliano. 37. Bergan or Persan. 16. tOipro nero. 38. tCrejidero. 17. Cenanese nero. 39. Picpoule. 18. Oorbeau. 40. Neiretta de Colucellio. *19. Croetto. *41. tGrisa di Piemonte. 20. tBarborossa di Finalla r 42. Negrara di Gattinara. orgo. 43. Paga debito. *21. Bolgnino. 44. Ocra di Bove. We will send the above rooted vines by mail at the rate of 5c per vine, or by express at 25c per dozen; express charges to be paid by re- ceiver. Of the varieties marked with a star ( * ) six vines each may be ordered if the applicant desires; of varieties not starred, not more than two vines to each applicant. The varieties marked with a dagger (f) are desirable for table use. SHADE TEEES FOB PUBLIC GROUNDS. A part of the property placed in our charge by the act of the Legislature, which made the University the legatee of the discontinued Board of Forestry Commissioners, consisted of a nursery of seedling forest trees. All of these trees in excess of what are needed at our sta- tions we desire to make of public benefit, and, to escape interference with the business of nur- serymen, we offer the trees for planting on pub- lic grounds surrounding all State and county buildings and in city and village parks. We hope there will be a general desire to plant them on school grounds. The following will be fur- nished for the purposes named : Douglas Spruce — Pseudotsuga Douglasii. Western Arbor Vitae— Thuya gigantea. Austrian Pine— Pinus Austriaca. Drooping Cypress — Oupressus macrocarpa, pen- dula glauca. White Pine— Pinus strobus. Lawson Cypress — Oupressus Lawsoniana. Black Wattle — Acacia decurrens. Lemon Scented Gum— Eucalyptus citriodora . Kentucky Coffee Tree — Qymnodadus cana- densis. Eastern Black Walnut— Juglans nigra. Carolina Poplar — Populus monilifera. Hackberry — Geltis occidentalis. Black Ash — Fraxinus sp. Pawlonia — Powlonia imperialis. Catalpa — Catalpa, sp. California Maple — Acer macrophyllum. English Oak — Quercus robur. These trees will be furnished in lots of one dozen assorted varieties at 50c per lot, for dig- ging and packing; freight or express to be paid by recipient. Acorns of English Oak. — This is exceedingly satisfactory as a rapid-growing hard wood and shade tree in the coast region of California at least, and deserves wide planting. As there is some difficulty in transplanting, we will send acorns to those who desire to start trees in permanent place. Small packages of acorns, 5c each by mail, postpaid. THE LOGAN BEERY. This fruit, which appears to be a cross be- tween a cultivated red raspberry and the Aughinbaugh (a variety of the California wild blackberry), was grown by Judge J. H. Logan, of Santa Cruz, from seed in 1884. He had the berries named above in adjacent rows, and took his seed from such association. The result is a berry of unique and striking characteristics. The fruit is sometimes an inch and one-quarter long, dark red, with the shape of a blackberry, the color of a raspberry, and a combination of the flavors of both. It is a great acquisition to the berries on the market, hard and a good shipper, and has been successfully marketed in quantity by James Waters of Watsonville. It has fruited on the experiment grounds three years. The foliage seems to be rust-proof, and no disease has been noticed on the plant. We can only send one plant to each applicant; 10c each by mail, postpaid. the henna plant — Lawsonia alba. We are indebted to Prof. Thomas Meehan, of Philadelphia, for the seed from which we have grown a few plants of this interesting and his- toric oriental shrub. It is described as a small, handsome and sweetly scented bush, first grown on the borders of Persia, and thence its use and cultivation probably spread westward into Africa and eastward to the several provinces of India. The use of the dye prepared from its leaves, pounded with catechu or lime, as a cosmetic is evidently of Mahommedan origin, being chiefly used by the women of that race for staining the hands, fingers, nails and feet. The simple decoction of the leaves also is frequently used in dyeing cloth and handker- chiefs; color produced is a shale of yellowish or redish-brown or red. The leaves are also said to have marked healing properties. We anticipate its chief value in California will be as a handsome, fragrant shrub with an inter- esting history. One plant to each applicant; 10c each by mail, postpaid. sugar cane. True sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum) is be- ing successfully grown on a small scale on moist or irrigated valley lands in this State. There is considerable inquiry for the seed cane. Col. W. C. Stubbs, of the Louisiana Experiment Station, has furnished us a supply of the three varieties found best in his investigations, viz: " Louisiana purple." " Louisiana striped " and 41 Tibboo Merd." We shall endeavor, so far as possible, to furnish a cutting of each to each applicant. The cuttings should be laid hori- zontally and wholly covered with about three inches of soil. In locations free from frost, and where the soil is well drained and warm enough to admit of planting of tender vege- tables during the winter, the cuttiDgs may be planted as described above as soon as received. Where there is danger of frost or likelihood of cold, water-soaked ground for some time, the cuttings should be stored in damp sand and planted out when the soil is in good condition in the spring. As cane is heuvy the charge will be 25c per package by mail. GRASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS. Wonderful Cow Pea.— In view of the great in- dustrial value of the cow pea in the Southern States there is a wide disposition to try it in California. We are fortunate in receiving from D. M. Dimmick, E*q., of Carpinteria, Santa Barbara county, a supply of seed of the new cow pea " Wonderful," which is believed to be the best of its kind. It yielded a very large amount of forage and peas for Mr. Dimmick and keeps green on his land until destroyed by frost. The pods are very long and carry as many as 18 peas to the pod. It is not likely that it will do so well away from the coast, ex- cept perhaps on moist or irrigated land, but it is worth a trial everywhere. Mr. Dimmick says the plant is about as tender as the Lima bean and should be plan ted jj'about the same time, as it is liable to rot in the ground if planted too early. Put two peas in a hill, the hills 18 inches apart in rows three feet wide. Seeds sent in small packets, 3c each, by mail, postpaid. The Flat Pea.— Further trial both upon our own grounds and by our correspondents leads us to commend wider distribution of the "Flat Pea" (Lathyrus sylvestris). This is a perennial legume having much the style of growih of the " everlasting pea." It forms a dense mat of hauim or vine which completely covers the ground, the stems reaching a length of four feet or more. It keeps green all summer without irrigation in this locality, and is readily eaten by animals. After cutting, a second growth starts at once. Analysis of the plant made at this station gives it high nutritive value. As the plant has not borne seed with us as yet, we distribute it by means of root sets. A part at least of the root sets of the flat pea should be carefully planted in the garden or field corner where they can be watched and protected the first year. If the growth be sat- isfactory, the roots can be distributed here and there in waste places the following year. We will send a small package of roots postpaid for 10c. Texas Blue Grass (Poa arachnif era). —This grass can now be commended as especially valuable in many parts of the State. We furnish root- sets in 8-oz. packages for 8c each, by mail. By planting a small plot, the grower will soon have roots to plant a large area if the grass commends itself. Tall Oatgrass (Arrhenatherum avenaceum). — This grass is showing surprising adaptation to arid conditions. Mr. Thomas Anderson of Shasta county writes of it: "It grows like bunch grass with a turf and is always green and sweet. Stock are very fond of it. The seeds drop from the head while the base of the plant is still green. It starts early and stays green all through the summer and fall." Other growers in arid situations speak of it in similar terms. Four-ounce packages by mail postpaid for 5c. Tagasaste (Cytisus proliferus albus). — The pub- lication of reports of the success of this plant in Australia has renewed interest in it here. It is a leguminous shrub which grows in dry soil and furnishes " browse" for stock. Pour boil- ing water on the seed and allow it to soak over night. Sow in boxes, and transplant when the plants are a few inches high. It is very diffi- cult to start the seed, but the plant bears trans- planting well. Seed by mail postpaid for 3c , per packet. MISCELLANEOUS. Canaigre. — The growth of this native plant (Rumex hymenosepalus) has reached large amounts iu New Mexico, where an extract is made from the root for shipping abroad for tanners' use. The business is said to be profit- able and can probably be considerably extended, as the world's supply of tannin-yielding bark9 is running low. Seed in 2 oz. packets for 5c. each, postpaid. New Zealand Spinach (Telragonia expa^sa). — Described by Von Mueller as a good culinary herb and as useful for restraining drifting sands; growing even during severest heat and drouth. Our correspondents speak of it in the highest terms as a table vegetable. Mr. Robert Hastie of Contra Costa county writes: " It grows all summer in very dry land and holds a beautiful dark green until frost comes, and the growth starts again the next year from the root. As an ornamental plant, where water is scarce and for the table, it has no superior." Melde's Perennial Bean. — A handsome, large, white bean, with a perennial root, from which climbing runners start each year. Seed 3c. per package, postpaid. Irvine s Hybrid Perennial Bean. — Originated on the Station grounds and believed to be a cross between the Painted Lady and the Lima. It is larger than Melde's bean, plump, pure white.' The vine shows a disposition to bear two crops, as the same plants which yielded the seed we offer are now loaded with a crop suitable for cooking. Seed 3c. per package, postpaid. New Short White Carrot. — Introduced by Steele Bros. & Co., Toronto, Canada; a large, short carrot, heavy at the shoulder and easily pulled from the ground; flesh solid, crisp and sweet; should be tried by all carrot-growers. Small packet of seed, postpaid, 3c. Application for seeds and plants should be made as soon as this announcement is received. We expect to send our seeds about January 1, and plants about February 1. December 15, 1893. E. J. Wickson, Berkeley, Cal.