UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 
 
 BOIiliETlN NO. 47. 
 
 Seed Distribution. 
 
 The character of the season just passed pre- 
 vented a fair test of the seeds sent out last year. 
 As some of the varieties distributed last year 
 have shown su jh excellent qualities on the Uni- 
 versity experiment grounds, and in the hands 
 of a number of our correspondents, we have de- 
 cided to olfer many of them again this year, 
 hoping that a more liberal rainfall will give all 
 an opportunity to determine their value in the 
 diflferent regions. We have also added to the 
 list several new growths which promise well. 
 As has been stated in previous announcements, 
 this distribution is made for the purpose of as 
 certaining the adaptation and practical value of 
 the several kinds, in the diflferent 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. 
 
 As there is no appropriation available to meet 
 the expenses of packing and postao^e, applicants 
 for the seeds are requested to send the amounts 
 specified in connection with each description 
 below. If they desire seeds sent by express, ap 
 plicants need not send money with their orders. 
 Applications may be made for one or more kinds 
 of seeds. In case any kind of seed becomes ex- 
 hausted, the money sent will be returned unless 
 a second choice is mentioned by the sender. 
 Amounts less than $1 may be sent in postage 
 stamps if convenient; larger sums should be by 
 postal note payable at the Berkeley Postoffice. 
 A distribution of pUnts and scions will be an- 
 nounced hereafter. 
 
 Barley. 
 
 The following barleys and wheats will be 
 forwarded by mail to applicants who send 
 20 cents for one-pound sacks and 36 cents for 
 two-pound sacks: * 
 
 Six-rowed-Barley: A very different type from 
 that commonly grown on this coast, and we be- 
 lieve that for some localities and uses it is much 
 to be preferred. The arrangement of the grains 
 in the head is such as to show six distinct rows, 
 instead of the crowded appearance, which 
 makes our common barley pass as four-rowed. 
 The straw is of only moderate length, strong 
 and very erect, making it less liable to lodge 
 than most other varieiies. The heavy rains of 
 June, 1884, which prostrated nearly all the 
 other grains on our grounds, did not efifect this 
 variety. It stood erect and strong. The yield 
 is among the highest that we have recorded in 
 our experiments. Our stock was raised from 
 
 seed secured in the Brenner collection, im- 
 ported from Europe, where the grain is also 
 particularly valued for mountain lands. We 
 commend this grain for a general trial, and in 
 particular for the northern valleys of the State. 
 
 Rice, Sprat, or Battledore Barley: In some 
 respects there is a close resemblance between 
 this variety and the last, as in its upright 
 straw, heads of even hight and spreading 
 beards. Straw very short, and like the six- 
 rowed did not lodge. It has two rows of grain 
 in a very short head, so that the beards stand in 
 the form of a battledore. The grain is said to 
 swell when cooked, as rice does. The yield is 
 fair, and the hardy plant adapted to mountain 
 regions — an interesting variety. 
 
 Scotch Two-rowed Barley: In a series of 
 years this has proved to be a very superior 
 grain, both in yield and quality, as well as in net 
 lodging as badly as Chevalier. We have good 
 reports from seed sent out in former years. 
 
 Imperial Two-rowed: Good, but not as well 
 proved as some others. 
 
 Wheats. 
 
 Whittington Wheat: A favorite in England, 
 and promising well here, when sown early; 
 though, on our soil, becoming more starchy 
 than the original seed imported by the Uni- 
 versity. Seed, long, and resembling the white 
 Australian; should be tried on various soils. 
 The Whittington, grown on the University 
 grounds, has been pronounced a good flouring 
 wheat by a competent miller. It is the best 
 yielding wheat we have grown. 
 
 Black-bearded Centennial: From seed re- 
 ceived some years ago from the U. S. Depart- 
 ment of Agriculture. A variety that has been 
 widely disseminated and much praised. Its 
 very tall and strong straw, large heads and 
 long beard, which is black during growth, 
 make a very showy crop. The beards are shed 
 when the grain matures. It has been especially 
 commended by California millers. The yield is 
 good. 
 
 California Spring Wheat: Received from 
 Germany under this name, but not yet identi- 
 fied with any variety generally known here. It 
 seems adapted to our climate. Head of medium 
 length, compact, beardless, with white chaff. 
 The grain looks well, is round, rather small, 
 soft, starchy and fairly even in size. 
 
 White Silesian Spelt- Wheat : In the chaff. 
 This type of wheat is prized in Europe for pas- 
 try, although the chaff must be removed by 
 a process similar to that employed with rice, 
 and therefore is less desirable than wheat for a 
 bread grain. With us it has never made really 
 plump grain, perhaps because of late planting, 
 as it acDarentlv needs a longer growing season. 
 
as regards moisture, or a mountain climate — its 
 preferred location in Europe. Our own exper- 
 ience, and that of other?, indicates that its 
 hardiness and leafy growth would make it valu- 
 able as a hay crop in the mountain r'^gions of 
 the State. It is sown in the chatf. Spelts 
 succeed on poorer and rougher land, and are 
 hardier than wheat. The grain cannot be 
 plucked by birds. We have but a moderate 
 supply, and can send in one-pound sackd, 20 
 cents each. 
 
 Rye. 
 
 St. John's Day Rye : Heavy drooping heads; 
 broad near the stem and tapering toward the 
 tip. Abundant fine beards. Acknowledged to 
 be one of the best of known ryes; from seed im- 
 ported from Erfurt, Germany. For one-pound 
 sacks, send 20 cents. 
 
 Swedish Sand Rye : Another good variety 
 imported from the same place and recommended 
 for sandy soils. We would like to have this 
 variety tried on li.e;ht soils for dairy feed as well 
 as grain. For one pound sacks send 20 cents. 
 
 Forage Plants. 
 
 Seeds of the three following grasses will be 
 sent in four-oz. packages; send five cents in 
 stamps for each: 
 
 Schrader's Brome Grass {Bromiis Schraderii 
 or unio hides): Valued in Australia as resisting 
 drought, and in Texas as giving good feed in 
 winter and early spring. We have received 
 reports from those in this State to whom we 
 sent seeds two years ago, declaring the grass a 
 success. It is among the first grasses to start, 
 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. 
 
 Hungarian Brome Grass {Bromus inermis): 
 From seed imported by the University from 
 Europe, commended by the French, as adapted 
 to dry soils. Oar experience indicates that it 
 will do well here, either without or with mod- 
 erate irrigation. 
 
 Milium multifiorum: A perennial millet 
 grass, growing about two feet high with seed 
 stems two feet higher. It is a plant of slow 
 development, 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 grazed 
 down, there is an abundant growth of fine 
 leaves, which resist winter frosts to a remarka- 
 ble degree. We have had favorable reports 
 from the plants from diflferent parts of the 
 State, although 80?ne experimenters have com- 
 plained of its failure. This is perhaps owing to 
 the fact that it is hard to Start, and because 
 the season was unfavorable. 
 
 Black Medic or yellow trefoil {Medzcago 
 lupuhn't): A clover-like plant of very dense 
 growth— very much like burr clover. It has 
 g?own on our experimental grounds without 
 water: re-seeds itself freely; adapted to moist. 
 
 rich, clayey sous, where it will make a fine 
 pasture. It can be sown like alfalfa. For two- 
 oz. package send two cents. 
 
 Snail Clover {Medicago turbinata) from South- 
 western Spain: An annual, closely related to 
 burr clover, but the spirally-twisted pod is free 
 from spines, and will not cling to the fleece of 
 sheep. It starts with the first heavy rains and 
 makes a dense, low mat of foliage. At maturity 
 the ground becomes thickly covered with nutri- 
 tious globular pods. For two-oz. package send 
 two cents. 
 
 Tagasaste {Cytisua proU/erus albus): A species 
 of broom; a bush- like plant, recommended by 
 the American Consul at the Azores Islands as a 
 valuable forage plant for dry hill lands. We 
 have very little seed and it will be sent to those 
 who desire to make a careful test of the plant. 
 To facilitate germination hot water should be 
 poured upon the seed and allowed to stand for 
 12 hours before planting. 
 
 Evergreen Millet: This is the popular name 
 for Sorghum halapeme. It is an unfortunate 
 name because the plant is not evergreen, nor is 
 it a millet. We have received conflicting re- 
 ports concerning the value of this plant. It 
 must be understood that it will not flourish on a 
 poor, shallow soil, nor excessively heavy or 
 stony soils, nor will it generally do much the 
 first year. It is always late in starting in the 
 spring and is cut down by the first severe frost. 
 In favorable situations it makes a very heavy 
 growth during the summer. It should not be 
 planted where it is not desired to remain, as it 
 is hard to eradicate, and will spread to adjoin- 
 ing orchards or vineyards, especially in light, 
 moist soils. Pound packages of root stocks, 20 
 cents each. For planting, cut the roots, two 
 eyes to a piece, plow a light furrow and cover 
 in. 
 
 Black Wattle. 
 Acacia deciirrens^ the black wattle or tan- 
 bark acacia of Australia: The bark of this tree, 
 as grown on the University grounds, contains, 
 as heretofore stated (Bullet in No. 4) over 40 
 per cent of tannin when in the air-dried condi- 
 tion, while that of the oaks usually amounts to 
 only 10 or 12. The tree is a rapid grower, and 
 is usually stripped in its eighth to tenth 
 year, when 30 to 40 feet high. Does well on 
 heavy as, well as on light soils, provided they 
 are deep; is doubtless hardy from Sacramento 
 southward, possibly farther north on light soils. 
 The seed is very hard and should be soaked 
 well in warm water until softened, before sow- 
 ing, otherwise it may be in the ground a year 
 before coming up. As the wattles do not bear 
 transplanting, the seed should be sown in pots 
 or boxes and removed to open ground with a 
 ball of earth attached when quite small — say 6 
 to 8 inches in hight. The » rees may be suc- 
 cessfully started in open ground by planting 
 the seed in hills about 10 feet apart, covering 
 it not more than half an inch deep with well- 
 pulverized soil. When the plants grow all but 
 two or three of the most vigorous ones in each 
 
hill can be removed. For further informatioa 
 see Report of College of Agriculture for 1882; 
 subject "Tanning Plants. " The seed will be sent 
 in two-oz. packages for four cents. A few part- 
 ies in suitable localities may be supplied with 
 larger quantities for tests on a larger scale. 
 
 Insect Powder Plants. 
 Pyrethrum cineraricafolium and P. roseumt 
 the Dalmatian and Persian insect powder plants: 
 The former is the one most to be recommended 
 as an insecticide, while the latter is quite orna- 
 m*<ntal- havinff flowers resembling single chry- 
 
 santhemums, 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 favorable circumstances 
 the seed will germinate in two or three weeks, 
 and the plants, when of sufficient <ize to be 
 handled, should be set out like cabbage plants. 
 We can furnish the aeed in one oz. packages, two 
 cents. For a full discussion of these plants see 
 Report of Coll. of Agr. for 1882. All applica- 
 tions should be addressed to 
 
 E. W. HiLGARD, 
 
 Berkeley, Cal.