The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-04-17
THE RESULT OF A SEARCH.

THE RESULT OF A SEARCH.
Some time ago Secretary Wilson of
the Department of Agriculture sent
Professor Niles E. Hanson to Europe
to search for seeds, plants and trees,
especially adapted to growth in arid
and sepli-arid regions. Professor Han
sen has just returned after a long
Journey through Europe and Asia. He
obtained many valuable seeds in East
ern Russia, Siberia, West China, Rus
sian Turkestan and the Caucasus, with
which he expects to obtain fine results
in several parts of the West of our
country. He found many seeds espe-
cially adapted also to sections not
wholly deficient of rain, but where the
amount of the precipitation is rather
unreliable and more or less involved
so as to make culture of many plants
r and trees hazardous
The full report of this scientist, which
he is now engaged III preparing, will be
awaited with Impotence by a very
large body Of our people, and from pre-
liminary accounts accredited to him,
they will be gratified over the result Of
his research. One of the notable dis
; coveries of the Professor was made in
Central Asia, where a variety of al
falfa is grown in dry regions greatly
superior to that with which we are ac-
quainted. This forage plant he repre-
sents as capable of withstanding severe
and long drouth and very great heat.
He does not have to speculate in this
instance, because the Russian Govern
ment has thoroughly experimental with
the plant and proved its value and it's
capacity, it having been cultivated with
success far north and far west of its
home in Turkestan He has also found
some remarkable fruits of which we
have no practical knowledge. These
flourish in Central ASIA He pro-
nounces them exceedingly desirable,
and he expresses faith in ability to
successfully cultivate them in the west
of our own country. He has brought
with him a large supply Of the pits
of the famous Vladimi cherries of
Eastern Russia. They are very large
and luscious, and grow on trees cap
able of enduring very low tempera-
lures without taking harm-as low,
probably, as any that are recorded in
Nebraska or Dakota. Such fruit as
that will be welcomed in cold sections
which now have to depend upon impor-
tation, but the introduction of such
fruits may not possibly be viewed with
eQuanimity by California growers who
depend upon export of their products.
The Professor has arranged also to
give the famous melons Of Turkestan
thorough trial in this country. All
travellers tell of the melons of the
Oxus Valley. It is said that they are
so highly valued that the Emperors
of China used TO send immense cara
vans thousands of miles to transport
them to their palace. This is recorded
as fact, though to the American under
standing it seems incredible that mel
ons could be shipped by camel trains
country without decaying. But Pro-
lessor Hansen supports the stories of
the travellers, and verifies the records
of the Chinese on the subject
He says that some Of the varieties Of
the Turkestan muskmelons will keep all
winter, and that they constitute a val
liable food supply for the people of that
country. Some varieties run from
twenty-five to thirty-five pounds
weight The flesh is perfectly white.
very juicy and luscious, and superior
to any of which he has knowledge that
we now grow. OF course it remains
to be determined whether our climatic
and soil conditions are favorable to
the growth of these fine melons in this
country. Secretary Wilson is reported
to be much pleased with the success of
Professor Hansen, and to anticipate
from his travels and study much of
value to our people.