UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA.
AGRICULTURAL , EXPERIMENT STATION.
BULLETIN NO. 61.
Distribution of Seeds and Plants.
Owing to the lateness of the season it is
deemed advisable to combine tliis year the dis-
tribution of seeds and that of plants, which
have for the last two years been made by sepa-
rate announcements. We^have retained in the
lists some growths which have done well on the
University Experimental Grounds, and have
been given good reports by those to whom we
have sent them for trial, in order that the ex-
periments might be still more widely extended
to secure a wider knowledge of the adaptation of
the plants to California conditions. A number
of new growths are offered this year which have
set up a claim to value in this State. As has
been described in previous bulletins, this distri-
bution is made for the purpose of ascert lining
the adaptation and practical value of the several
kinds, in the different climates and soils of the
State; and persons receiving them are requested
to report results, whether success or failure,
and if the latter, from what apparent causes.
Terms. — As there is no appropriation avail-
able to meet the expenses of packing and
postage, applicants are requested to send the
amounts specified in connection with each de-
scription below. 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 10 cents to pay for packing. Applications
may be made for one or more kinds of seeds.
In case any kind of seed becomes exhausted,
the money sent will be returned unless a second
choice is mentioned by the sender.
Plants will be forwarded by express (unless
specially otherwise requested), in lobs consist-
ing of the number hereinafter mentioned for
each kind, on remittance of 25 cents for earn
lot of plants and 10 cents additional for each
additional lot to pay expenses of packing, etc.
Postal notes, payable at theBsrkeley postoffice,
are requested to be sent in lieu of stamps when-
ever practicable. Any surplus left after filling
orders as far as possible will be returned to the
senders, deducting letter postage.
"Wheats Resisting the Hessian Fly.
The distribution of cereals this year is re-
stricted to three varieties of wheat, which
proved resistant to the attack of the Hessian
fly (Cecidomyia destructor) in our experiments
during the past season. An outline of these
experiments was given in Bulletin No. 5S of the
CJuiversity Experiment Station, and a full re-
port will be found in the forthcoming report of
the College of Agriculture for 1886. Out of 100
varieties of wheat sown there were but six in
I which no traca of the fly was found, and of
{these we have sufficient seed of three varieties
,for distribution. It is desired to send these
'wheats only to the localities where the fly is
known to exist, because we want the experi-
ence of experimenters in other infested locali-
ties to compare with our own observations.
The varieties cffsred are "Volo," "Bearded
Mi8Soyen"and 44 Greek Atlanti." These wheats
all have solid stems, the straw being filled with
pith. They all belong to the hard wheat type
{Trlticum durum), having rather long pointed
grains, almost translucent, and a horny con-
sistency, owing to their richness in gluten,
though when grown in this State they rapidly
change in this respect and become starchy.
These wheats are chiefly grown in the countries
bordering upon the Mediterranean and the
Black seas. They do not succeed in the north
of Europe, nor are they of much account even
in the middle of France. They are, however,
quite hardy and productive in California, and
with the change in their character noted above,
promise to be of considerable value. Samples
of the grain were submitted to experts in mill-
ing and shipping wheats and pronounced good,
merchantable wheat, and salable in the market
at about two and one-half cents per cental less
than No. 1 shipping wheat. As they are nat-
urally of strong growth and productive, it is
expected that they will be found valuable in
those localities where other varieties are ren-
dered unprofitable because of the Hessian fly.
Applicants will each be furnished with one
pound of each of the three varieties, or a single
pound of either variety. Send 20 cents for
each pound ordered, if to be sent by mail.
Textile Plants.
The progress which inventors seem to be mak-
ing in devic s for extracting the fiber from va-
rious textile plants promises to make such
growths profitable in this State. While we do
not, of course, guarantee the success of the ma-
chines which are now becoming prominent, nor
promise that a market is yet open for the sale
lof crops which will yield fiber, we deem the out-
look favorable enough to warrant general exper-
iment with the plants to ascertain the adapta-
bility of certain localities of the State to them,
so that those who may in the future deem such
crops worthy their attention may have full data
of their growfh and probable yield. It is prob-
ably generally understood that the secret of
profit in these crops lies in the solution of the
probkm of extracting the fiber by mechanical
means so that the product may profitably com-
pete with that produced by the cheap labor of
Asia and Europe. For ramie fiber there is a
steady demand by the Eoglish manufacturers if
the fiber is extracted to suit their wants. For
flax fiber, we are assured by local manufactur-
ere that there will be a demand here for all the
properly prepared fiber, as only the lack of the
material prevents a large loo xl manufacture of
twines, etc.
Rami'. — We have grown from imported seed
a stock of plants of Boehmeria candicans which
is, however, said by experts to be inferior to the
Boehmeria tenacissima, although the fiber of the
candicans is of value in making coarser fabrics.
The tests of this species will probably serve to
determine the conditions favorable or otherwise
for the growth of the other. Most satisfactory
results have been reported with plants sent to
growers in the upper San Joaquin valley, and
experience generally seems to indicate success-
ful growth of the plant in a great variety of
soils and climate?. Ten small plants will be
sent to each applicant; 25 cents per lot.
Fiber Flax. — We have gathered a good quan-
tity of seed of four European varieties of flax
{Linum usitatissimum) which are grown on the
continent especially for their fiber. They
grow about three times as tall as the variety
commonly grown in this Siate for the seed.
When sown in February in Berkeley, a good
growth has always been attained without irri-
gation, and fair results have been secured by
sowing as late as April. The following varie-
ties are offered in 1 lb. sacks; 20 cents each if
forwarded by mail: 11 White Flowering," from
France; " R^yal," from Germany; 44 Russian,"
from Pskoff; and " Yellow Seeded."
Esparto Grass, — Stipa tenacissima, the grass
so extensively used in the Mediterranean coun-
tries for cordage, baskets, etc., and lately ex-
ported in large quantities as a material for
paper-making. It grows naturally on sandy
beaches, within reach of salt water, but will
doubtless be found adapted to many ealine and I
alkaline lands now unreclaimed or oecupied by
the common tule. It should be thoroughly
tested in sandy coast lands southward of the
bay, and in Smth California. Ten plants to
each lot; 25e. per lot by express.
New Zealand Flax, so useful to gardeners
and vineyardists for the purpose of tying with
the ribbons into which the leaves readily split,
and which are exceedingly strong, is again of-
fered for distribution. Reports received from
the interior of the State point strongly to the
conclusion that the plant is unadapted to the
hot interior valleys. From all coast regions the
reports are good. Although fond of moisture.
grows vigorously, and matures an abundance
of heavy seeds almost like oats. Its seed
stems being two or three feet high, and leafy,
it can be used for either hay or pasture. Four-
ounce packages by mail, 5c. each.
Milium multiftorum: A perennial millet grass,
growing about two feet high with seed stems
two feet higher. It is a plant of slow develop-
ment, but strong. Owing to the fineness of the
seed, it should be planted very carefully and
covered lightly. It should not be pastured the
first year, as it is easily pulled up by the roots.
After being well established, if grazad down,
there is an abundant growth of fine leaves,
which resist winter frosts to a remarkable de-
gree. We have had favorable reports from the
plants from different parts of the State, al-
though some experimenters have complained of
its failure. This is perhaps owing to the fact
that it is hard to start, and because the season
was unfavorable. Two ounce packages by
mail, 3e. each.
Japan Clover (Lespedeza striata), a plant^which
is highly commended for drouth-resisting prop-
erties in some of the Southern States. We
have but a small quantity of seed, which will
be sent in 1-oz packages; by mail, two
cents each
Various Trees.
Kikar. — We have grown from seed imported
from Iadia a few huadred plants of the Kikar
or gum-arabic [Acacia Arabica). This tree is
reported by the Director of the Department oJ
Agriculture, at Cawnpore, India, as 44 unable
to withstand fro3t; will do well on heavy soil,
and thrives even on gravelly land. The gum
has commercial value and the wood is used in
miking handles of tools and heavy wagons.
The trees should be planted 40 feet apart, or
afterward thinned out to that distance." This
tree should be tried in the thermal belts and
milder parts of the State. Lots of five
trees will be sent to each applicant; 25 cents
per lot by express.
Black Wattle [Acacia decurrens). — Reports
of trees sent out in previous years are very fa-
vorable. The black wattle is shown to be fully
adapted to the coast region of the State from
Sin Francisco southward, and even in many in-
terior points. It promises to be of much value
for fuel, as well as the source of bark for tan-
ning. The tree is a rapid grower, and the bark
is usually stripped in its eighth to tenth year,
it is not a marsh plant and will not succeed in a w hen the tree is 30 to 40 feet high. Does well
swamp,
express.
Two plants to the lot; 25c. per lot by
Forage Plants.
on heavy as well as on light soils, provided they
are deep. We send seed in two-oz. packages,
five cents each by mail. A few young trees can
The forthcoming report of the College of be furnished in lots of five to each applicant; 25
Agriculture for 1886 will contain a detailed ceQ t s per lot by express.
account of the results attained with a number ^he seed of the black wattle is hard to start,
of plants sent out for trial to different parts of an( j may \[ e dormant a long period. We insert
the State. The following are offered for fur- rne method which Mr. K. McLennan, foreman of
ther trial: the University Agricultural Grounds, finds to
SohraderVBrome Grass [Bromus Schraderi% y- ie \ a good results with seed of the black
or unioloides): Valued in Australia as resisting Wrt ttle and with other hard leguminous seeds,
drought, and in Texas as giving good feed in \fe Q the various species of . accacia, the carob,
winter and early spring. We have received re- i 0CU st, etc. :
ports from many in this State to whom we sent Prepare the bedj or boxes and fill with nice sand
seeds two years ago, declaring the grass a sue- loam Tie the seeds in a piece of cloth or a little
cess. It is amonsr the first grasses to start^ Da g and put them into a can of boiling water. Ex-
amine them often, and when they become soft and
swollen they should be taken out and sown immedi-
ately, covering the seeds up, if in boxes, one-fourth
of an inch; in outside beds three-eighths of an inch.
Care should be taken not to allow the seeds to be-
come dry during germination. If they are exposed
to the winter rains, cover lightly with straw; remove
the straw when they are well sprouted. After the
seedlings are furnished with the first or second set of
leaves they should be thinned and transplanted at a
distance of three inches apart. This gives a chance
to cut them out separately and leaving a little ball
of earth to each whenever it is desirable to plant
them out in their permanent places.
Olives. — We have a small number of olive
trees of the " Nevadillo," a medium-sized olive
of oval ships, rivening very early, and the
Minzmillo, a rather large olive of more
rounded shape, also of early maturity. These
varieties were secured through Mr. Pohndorf's
inportation. We can sand one tree of each
variety to each applicant ; 25 cents for each
pair by express.
Guavas. — A limited distribution can also bd
made of three guavas, Psidium pomiferum,
P. Gattleyanum and P. aromaticum. The first
named is the " pear-shaped guava " which we
have ssn^; out before and which is reported as
doing very well in sheltered places in Southern
California, and a desirarble fruit. The second is
the more hardy " strawberry guava," and
which promises to succeed wherever the orange
thrives. The third is a species from Guiana.
As the adaptation of the varieties is quite well
defined we will select according to location of
applicant; three plants to each 25 cents per lot
by express.
Miscellaneous.
Insect Powder Plants. — As there seems a con-
tinued desire for small packets of these seeds
for trial, we still offer Pyrethrum cinerarioefo-
Hum and P. roseum, the Dalmatian and Persian
insect powder plants. The former is the one
mo3t to be recommended as an insecticide, while
the latter is quite ornamental, having flowers
resembling single chrysanthemums, of four or
five different colors. The seed should be sown
in boxes in light, porous soil, and kept shaded,
but in a warm place and moist. Under favor-
able circumstances the seed will germinate in
two or three weeks, and the plants, when of
sufficient size to be handled, should be set out
like cabbage plants. We can furnish the seed
in one oz. packages, two cents.
Quinoa: Ghenopodium quinoz. — Of this plant
we have two varieties, the seed of one from
Germany and the other from Peru. The seed
is a common article of food in the high plateau
and mountain districts of Caile and Peru. Un-
fortunately it is grievously infested by the leaf-
mining larva of a fly which interferes with its
prospects in this region at least. We would
like to have it tried in other parts of the State
to determine its growth and value. Seed will
be sent in two-oz. packages, five cents each by
mail.
Bamboos. — A numb2r of varieties of bamboo
are now attainable in quantities to suit from
nurserymen and importers. We have a collec-
tion of varieties which are growing well in the,
Garden of Economic Piants, but we have only 1
the Arundinaria falcaia for distribution.
A few can be furnished single plants of this
species; 25 cents each by express.
Kaffir Corn.— A variety of dhoura, or Egypt-
ian corn, introduced by Dr. J. H. Watkins, of
Palmetto, Georgia. It differs from the " Egypt-
ian corn" grown in this State in bearing up-
right heads and in somewhat different charao*
teristics of growth, as will be described in the
forthcoming report of the College of Agricul-
ture. The grain much resembles the White
variety grown in this State. The plant has ma-
tured seed in Berkeley, which the Sorghum fam-
ily does not usually do; the grain is, however,
much inferior to that which may be expected in
the interior of the State. We would like to
have thi3 variety tried by those who are grow-
ing Egyptian corn profitably. Seed will be sent
in 2-oz. packages; 5 cents each by mail.
A bulletin announcing a distribution cf cut-
ting scions, etc., will be made next week. All
applications should be addressed to
E. W. Hilgard,
Berkeley, Oil.
December 23, 1386.