UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. AOKWULIURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. BULIiETIN NO. 23. University Seed Distribution. Seeds of the kinds named below will be dis- tributed by the College of Agriculture of the University of California to citizens of Cali- fornia. Postage to the amount indicated should ac- company every application. Beyond this no charge is made. Persons ap- plying should give their second and third choice, if the kind first named is all gone, or say that the enclosed stamps are to be returned after d'iducting postage on the return letter. The announcement of scions and plants to be distributed will be made later. This distribution is made for the purpose of ascertaining the adaptation to climate and prac- tical value of the several kinds, in the different climates and soils of the State; and persons re- ceiving them are requested to report results, whether success or failure, and if the latter, from what apparent causes. All applications are to be addressed to Prof. E. W. Hilgard, Berkeley, Alameda Co., Cal. The following cereal grains are in one-pound packages; postage, 20 cents each. Barley p. Six-rowed Barley: A very diflferent type from that commonly grown on this coast, and we believe that for some localities and uses it is much to be preferred. The arrangement and size of the grains in the head are 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 mod- erate length, strong, and very erect, making it less liable to lodge than most other varieties. The yield is among the highest that we have recorded in our garden experiments. Last year, while in Colorado, we found that this type of barley had been accepted as best suited to that elevated plateau region. 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 Battle-door 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. It has two rows of grain in a very short head, so that the beards stand in the form of a battle-door. 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. Frick'b Barley: An excellent grain of fine brewing grade. Head two-rowed, but more compact and upright than the Chevalier. The plant is also said to be less att'ected by drought, 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 aa in not lodging as badly as Clievalier. We have good reports from seed sent out in former years. Imperial Two rowed: Good, but not as well proved as some others. Carter's Prolific: True to its name, this kind tillers a great deal, and bears a large number of heads of rather light grain. Adapted to the production of feed barley, or to sow for hay. Nepaul, Bald, Spoon, or Pearl Barley: Hav- ing no harsh beards, and threshing outclean from the chaff, this is a curiosity to many farmers. As green forage, it is greatly relished by all do- mestic animals, including pf)ultry. Ao excel- lent soiling crop. Hay made from it is the highest priced in this market. The plant is more subject to rust and attacks of aphis than common barley. The soil should be in good heart, and well tilled, and the crop sown the latter part of January, in this section. Blue Barley: Although bearded, this is an- other of the smooth barleys, which lose their chaff in threshing. The grain is dark blue or purple, and the stem and foliage partake of the same color whi'e growing. Reports from par- ties receiving seed from us state that hogs are •very fond of the green plant, so that it should form good pasture for them. St. John's Day Rye. Heavy drooping heads. Broad near the stem and tapering towards the tip. Abundant fine beards. Acknowleeged to be one of the best of known ryes. From seed imported from Erfurt, Germany. Wheats. Hallett's Pedigree White Victoria: Beard- less, long, heavy heads, tapering towards the tips, crowded meshes, and white chaff. The grain is of medium size, and our crop of this year shows some kernels glutinous and some starchy, apparently changing to a white wheat, as often happens with imported varieties. It should be tried in other parts of the State. Siberian Winter Wheat: Very slightly bearded near the tip of the head, which is slender, rather long and loose, and with a red chaff. The grains are rather long, light amber, with a tendency to become white. 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. 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. Our first experiments gave the impression that the coarseness of the straw i ♦ * * , - , and teLncy to produce snrunken grain^ruTdl fn7^:lt':%TZV^^^^^^^^ preven this variety from becom.ng a popular being two or three feet h'gh and root leave one in this State. This years gram shows a abundant, it can be usei^ for either hay or decided improvement, perhaps on account of pasture ciuucx x^ay early sowing the kernels being very large and Hungarian brome grass (Bromus i7iermis): white, and fairly filled As the combined har- From seed imported by the University from Testers, coming largely into use, make the Europe, commended by the French, as adapted quality of straw of little importance, if only it stands up well, this variety may yet be found of value in our great valleys. 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. Grain thife year rather small, soft, starchy and fairly even in size. White Essex: Handsome, compact, beard- less head, of medium size, with white chaff. Grain this year of very uneven quality, the best of rather large size, with wrinkled, whitish skin. It may do better elsewhere. Mold's Red Winter: Shows an inclination to become light colored and starchy. Small grain, of pretty even size. Not suited to rusty sec- tions. White Silesian Spelt- Wheat: In the chafiF. 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. With us it has never made really plump grain, apparently wanting a longer season or a moun- tain climate. Our own experience, and that of others, indicates that its hardiness and leafy growth would make it valuable as a hay crop, tor which it could be sown in the chaff. Oats. It must be understood that Berkeley has not the soil and climate to produce most varieties of oats in perfection. The seed which we offer of the following kinds does not represent their qualities fairly, but may be of value to those more favorably situated. Scotch Hoptoun: A noted white kind, one of the best, very good even with us. Early August: White, promising. Polish: Fairly good, but light. Well liked elsewhere. Black Tartar: j Grasses. Seeds of the three following grasses will be sent in 4-oz, packages; send 5 cents in stamps for each : Schrader's brome grass (Bromus Schraderii or unioloides): Valued in Australia as resisting drought, and in Texas as giving good feed in winter and early spring. It is among the first to dry soils. Our experience indicates that it will do well here, either without or with mod- erate irrigation. Milium muWflorum: A perennial millet grass, which has no popular English name that we know of. Seed very fine, and plant of slow development, but strong. If kept down, there is an abundant growth of fine leaves, which re- sist winter frosts to a remarkable degree. Angola Panic ( Pamcum sp 'ctabilf ) : Frequently called "evergreen millet. ' Spreading rapidly by underground root stocks, this grass gives a very large amount of coarse but good forage. In the warmer parts of the State, with irriga- tion, enormous yields are reported. Frosts cut this grass to the surface of the ground, but it grows again as soon as warm weather returns. It should not be planted where permanent grass is not wanted. Pound packages of root- stocks, 20 cents. To those afflicted with "Foxtail" or other un- desirable grasses we specially commend a thor- ough trial of these four varieties, putting them in early, in the hope of smothering the bad ones. Black Wattle. Acacia decurrens, the black wattle or tan- bark acacia of Australia: The bark of this tree, as grown on the University grounds, contains, as heretofore stated (Bulletin No. 4) over 40 per cent of tannin when in the air-dried condition, 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 sowing, otherwise it may be in the ground a year before coming up. Ounce packages, two cents each. Insect Powder Plants. Pyrethrum cineraricefolium and P. roseum, the Dalmatian and Persian insect powder plants: The former is the one most to be recom- mended as an insecticide, while the lattar is quite ornamental, having flowers resembling single chrysanthemums, of four or five different colors. Half ounce packages, two cents each. C. H. DWINELLE. Berkeley, Nov. 15, 1884.