The record-union., 1898-12-10

the ocean, or subject TO cOIu WINGS, tndIl
is the senibaccata. 1t makes heavier
growth at Santa Monica than any 9TH
er species. The seed is very different
| in appearance from that of other salt
bushes. This species should now be
thoroughly tested
Australian Saltbush (Atriplex semi
baccata) THE value of this species for
soils too alkaline for the growth of or
dinary forage plants has been amply
proved. It's value on arid uplands is
more recent discovery. During the
past season at Paso Robles, with
| rainfall of four inches, plants sent a
tap-root through eighteen inches or
soil, then through six feet of hard-pan,
to moister soil, kept green all summer
and made one and one-half tons OF hay
per acre The seed is now sold by
many dealers.
Modiola (Modiola decumbens).-T This
plant, which is a native of Chile, was
first observed growing freely on alkali
lands in Kern County, and many who
have grown the plant from our seed
praise it very highly; sheep and cows
eat it in preference to alfalfa, and i'm
prove in flow of milk. 1t is almost as
rich in fiesh-forming ingredients as al
falfa; in this respect 1t is superior TO
the saltbushes. The plant may be val
| liable on dry and waste places, even
when very alkaline; but it must be in
troduced with caution, because 1t has
habit of roofing from its prostrate
stems, and therefore may be difficult to
| eradicate. In this respect it is very diff
ferent from saltbushes. To those who
desire to try the modiola in places
which are waste and remote from cul-
| tivated lands we will send small pack
| cts Of seed at two cents each.
| DRY-LAND GRASSES AND FORAGE
PLANTS.
Tall Fescue Festuca elatior, variety
arundinacea).-Thi grass is conspicu-
Gus among the many in our collection
for free growth on heavy soil and
drought resistance. 1t is tall vigorous
grass, with good record on moist
Soils but it also withstands drought
so we'll that DR.. Beale of Michigan,
pronounced it among the best grasses
for the dry prairie region of the Unit
ed States. 1t should have wider trial
in California Seed three cents per
package. by mail.
Eleusine (Eleusine Barcinoensis).-A
native of Spain, which is a strong
growing perennial in Berkeley. Under
hot interior conditions, as reported from
Kern County, it makes a short but
abundant growth during the hottest
weather and its numerous heads afford
good feed Seed, three cents per pack
age, by mail.
Hairy Vetch (Vicia villosa) )-This
seems to be the best of the vetches for
arid conditions. A correspondent on
uplands in Santa Cruz County, f. Segs
worth, writes that merely scratched in
on dry hill land it grew to two and
half and three feet high and remained
green through the summer. 1t thrives
on land which is too dry and poor for
corn, and makes the best green feed for
poultry he ever saw, as the stem is soft
and juicy. This report is from coast
hillside, but the record warrants wider
trial. Seed, five cents per package, by
mail.
Iris Qris pabularia) )-This plant is a
flag; native of Central Asia. Baron Won
Mueller says it is rather extensively
grown for fodder on account of its nu-
tritiye properties. We have not been
able to verify it's food value because
Berkeley five stock do not care to eat
it and for this reason do not commend
it for trial except on waste places,
where perhaps it may be acceptable to
stock when other food is short. IT
seems disposed to stay where it is put
and for this reason waste place should
be selected for experiment. Seed, five
cents per package, by mail.
COLLECTION OF NEW SORGHUMS.
The Department of Agriculture at
Washington, sent seeds of a number of
new varieties of Sorghums to the sta
ton. We offer seed under numbers as
follows: Nos 1927, 1928, 2497, 2431
and 2444. Planted May Oath at the
Pomona sub-station, these Sorghums
ripened sufficiently for sugar-making
by October, 10th. All were good grow
ers though not as yet tested suff1-
GENTLY to enable sone to select the best.
Seed five cents for each variety or
dered, by mail.
PUMPKINS AND CORN.
Red Etampes Pumpkin.-Imported
from France; seed kept pure, and tested
for four years at substation. A large,
snowy and popular variety; new to Cal
ifornia Very fine for cooking, and a
good bearer for stock purposes. Proba-
bly, better than the common varieties
for dry lands. Seed, five cents per
package, by mail.
Prehistoric Corn.-Experts say there
is nothing prehistoric" about it, but it
is a very hardy and strong growing
cross-bred variety. Very tall and pro-
life of ears. Should be tried for ordi-
nary purposes, and for ensilage. Ears
dark red, kernels long and hard; a flint
variety. Seed, five cents per package,
by mail
PERSIAN MELONS.
collection of ten varieties secured
in Russian Turkestan by an agent of
the Department of Agriculture, and
grown at the sub-station near Pomona.
All are melons from the native hpme of
the finest known varieties, in the fam
Gus oasis along the hietpric O4ls, the
ancient Chorasmia and spgdiaha,
These melons were pla ted NAY 18th
upon sandy loan, recei9fp no 'Triga-
ton and no fertilizer. vsie seaA ~ was
very dry and hot, but the vaieties
proved four times as V'folific as the
common garden varieties # musk-melon
planted under similar c0nditions.
No. 114.--F'rom Khiva. Large (Sx12
inches), yellow in color with black
stripes Elliptical in shape.
No. 115.-From Old ANU Darya.