Acne.- HO. 49. •-.ITT i: October 1 to 15, 1910. HEW PLANT IMMIGRANTS. IEL . (Rutaceae.j 28875. ;nts of bael fruit from sa, ^^r.i'al, Ind: . Presented by Dr. A. Howard, raising se: . (S . 24450 for description..* For distri- -. ion later. (See photograph.) BROilELIA SP. (Brcmeliaceae. ) 28689. Seeds from Paraguay. Pre- . F. 1. "This plant, wnich in Guaranay is lied ' ;uata', is a cactus. It grows in camp hereabouts, ecrcci?.lly in barren spots. Every year in fall the center rn bright red and it f lower s--a cluster of pink and ie flowers, cimilar to tuberoses. The fruits are in a ater 10 to 15 inches long and 4 to 6 inches in diameter, I ; yellcrr when ripe, and each fruit is the size of a small plum. It is used here for preserves onl; . The plant has a ame, o\vi the difficulty of clearing it out of land It is well started." (Mead.) For distribution later. :issifloraceae. ) 28887. Seeds from Camp Over- , '.ndanao, Philippine Islands. Presented by Major Chas. , h Mr. S. C, J-reen. "This seed is from the best ; :is fruit I have ever met v/ith in either the Phil- 3 or Cuba; it is spoken of as the Cap i tan by some, and -hers. " (Muir . ) For distribution later e.) Plants from Aden, Arabia. . Chas. K. looser, American Consul. "Mr. Moser rv ^ Arab in Western Arabia chews khat ly, often paying half his daily wage for the fresh leaves. Khat contains an alkalol -ts as a stimulant ar. is -'111 be given especial study as to its harmful effects before general distribution is made." (Fairchild. ) (See Ho. 24714 for further description.) For distribution later. WUS. ( Compos itae.) 28877. Plants of the Precoce 'Alger, Artichoke of Algeric. . From "r.ison-Carree, Algeria. Presented by Dr. L. Trabut. For distribution later. CYTISUS PRC1 r. from Porto Ovotav-., Mr. Gee. V. Perez. drought resistant. ance of the farmers and horses have to learn to sat it and relish it ever after. palme: . '": acsae.) 28827. Seeds ..riffe, C jr Islands. Presented "This is a splendid forage plant and very re€ "ith it are due to the ignor- and to not cutting back the plant. Cattle Mai» Library S J3 "3 ^ \ V, \ ^> - 2 - In the Island of Palma, Ca.nz.ry Islands, where it has been native from time immemorial, it has "been used with the great- est success. It is quite aa nutritious as luzerne and does not require irrigation. I know of nothing that will fatten cattle and horses so much." (Perez.) For distribution later. DIOSPYROS DISCOLOR. (Ebenaceae.) 28900. Seeds from Iloilo, Panay, Philippine Islands. Presented by Mr. J. B. 0. Colraan, Bureau of Public Works. "This is a species of persimir.on '.vhich has a thick and pleasantly-flavored meat. The fruits from ich these seeds were taken v;ere unusually large and perfect." (Colman.) For distribution later. ECHIU:: SIMPLEX. (Boraginacpac. ) 28828. Seeds from Porto Ovotava, .sriffe, Canary Islands. Presented by Mr. Geo. V. Perez. "The so-called Pride of Teneriffe, a. lovely showy native plant, re. .ble for its single tall spike of white flowers reaching ;m 2 to 3 yards high. From what I have seen and observed I have corns to the conclusion that, besides being a very ornament- al plant, it could be rcade a most valua/ble fodder, having the advantage over the prickly comphrey of being drought resistant. The idea, is entirely my own after watching how greedily my cov/s eat it." (Perez.) For distribution later. GOSSYFIULi £PP. (Malvaceae.; 28879-880. Seeds of two varieties of wild cotton from Mauritius. Presented by Mr. G. Regnard. For distribution later. LATExTUS IK 1VPHYLLUS . (Fabaceae.) 28823. Seeds from Oregon. Presented, by Mr. Geo. R. Schoch. "A perennial species 7/ith ,let colored flowers, abundant in the open coniferous 7/oods throughout \7estern Washington and Oregon. The plants appear in early E i become fully mature and dry in July. Stock are r.ot fond of the plants when green, but eat the hp.y readily." (C. V. Piper.) For distribution later. PAS SI FLORA SP. (Pasr aceae.) 28878. Seeds from Patras , Greece. Grown by Mrs. Crowe. Presented by Ur. A. Donaldson Smith, American Consul, Aguascali enter, , J.'-.::ico. "I have tasted the passion flower fruit in many places and the fruit frcni which -these seeds v;ore taken was the best." (Smith.) For distribution later. RAJ.'-." I A PLEIONEUEA scoreaceae). 28894. Roots from Dominica, British West Indies. Presented by I-Ir. J. Jones, Curator, Botanic Station. "The waw-waw is a native of Dominica. It occurs wild in the forests and does best in the deep shade. It is not cultivated in this Island, "..afcly because an abund- ance of the yam can be obtaiaech&y digging in the fores . - 3 - The - aw is considered "cy many people to "be superior to the yarns produced "by the Dioscoreas." (Jones.) "For distribution later. SOL' '*URICATUM. (Solanaceae . ) 28899. Cuttings from Grand , Canary Islands. Presented "by Mr. M. Koniz, at the sst of Mr. Ross J. Hazeltine, American Consul at Tene- 'ffe. ". fruit known here as ir.elon pear. It grows en "bushes out two or three feet high; when ripe it is yellow and the of a melon. In taste it is a "blend betv;een a cantaloupe . " (Solomon Berliner.) This is the pepino cf atemalr.. For distribution later. (See photograph.) DICOCCOIDSS. (Poaceae.) 28885. Seeds of wild : '.if a, Palestine. Presented by Mr. A. Aaronsohn, r, Jewish Agricultural Experiment Station. "The wild " . ronsohn .-to type of the cul- -at." /child.) (See B. P. I. Bulletin Ho. 180 .cription.) For distribution later. VICIA C-rlGANTEA. (Tabaceae.) 28824. Seeds from Oregon. Pre- sented . Geo. R. Schoch. "A perennial vetch with ochro- f lower. , • along the Pacific Coast from Sitka to California. It grows to a great size, the vines being . 8 to 12 feet long 'and producing a great abundance of pods. The seeds, however, are ordinarily destroyed by insects. Stock ordinarily will not eat ths plants while .-een and are not particularly fond of the hay. The entire it turns black on drying." (C. V. Piper.) For distribution later. VIC'.. :GUICULATA. (?abaceae.) 28829. Seeds of tan cov;pea from •o, Africa. Presented by Mr. G. H. Pape, thro: ~r. A. B. Conner. .'distribution later. VIG-::Y. VTGUICULATA. (Fabaceae.; 28888-893. Seeds from the province of Para, near the town of Braganca, Brazil. Presented by Mr. W. Fischer. For distribution later. VTTIS SP. (Vitaceae.J 28876. Cuttings from Hollywood, Cal- ifornia. Presented by Mr. S. D. Sturtevant. "Native of the southern part of the State of Vera Cruz, Mexico. Said to bear beautiful scarlet flowers. It if-: hurdy here, but does not blocr:i. It might succeed in southern Florida." (Sturtevant.) For distribution later. - 4 - NOTES OF FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS. AUSTRALIA, Queensland. Tr. Alexander Graham Bell report? on several plants observed in Queensland, among them the follow- ing: Near Kuranda a very tempting fruit, known as the finger cherry, is found. It is red, like a cherry, and is about the 3 and size of a finger. It is said to "be poisonous and occasionally to cause blindness in those w) t it. However, -. wriede, the station master at Kuranda, says that he used eat it freely without ill effects, and that the children are quite fond of it. In the scrub near Kuranda 7?e noticed trees bearing po ov.t the size and shape of a banana, but at least twice the er. Upon op the pod.s they were found to contain that lock very miich like chestnuts. They have a and not very hard, consistency of a r: I ~: ie of the "beans, ~old it ?/as poisonous. It tested very much like a nut but had no distinctive flavor. In spite of the ~s nature of the bean the "black fellows" have learned as food. They first roast the beans in hot ashes, n them and pound the white flesh into coarse flour. 'Jhey fill a basket with this flour an^ place it in running ter all night. In this way the poisonous principle is washed out . The prickly pear in Australia has become such a nuisance th .ormous sums are paid to get rid of it. Land is practi- cally given f.- o persons who will undertake to clear it of pr .Mr. Jones suggests that instead of spending ":9y in the useless task of attempting to eradicate it, the Astral iaris should make it of use and make a profit out of it. He has considered the question of manufacturing paper from it but the outlook is not encouraging. It has too much juice and not enough fiber. He thinks alcohol could "be iu3.de from it, as it contains about 5 per cent reducing sugar. At all events h<=> says a fortune awaits the man who can find a use for it. FORMOSA, Taihcku. Mr. Takiya Kav/akami, Sept. 8. Writes that he will send, by the end of the present year, The three varieties of sugar cane cultivated at the Formosa Sugar Experimental Station. Chinese names, Chiku-cha, An-cha and Ra-cha. TRANSVAAL, Pretoria. Prof. J. Burtt-Davy, Sept. 6. Writes in re- gard to Acacia rotusta (S.P.I. No. 28550), that it is a char- acteristic tree of the dry bush veld "below 4,500 feet altitude, i.e., in the subtropical zone of the Transvaal. The wood is sometimes used for fence posts when the rarer and harder sorts, such as Olea verrucosa, are not available. BELOU MAEMELOS, BAET- FRUIT A handsome ornamental tree, leafless one month only, with shining dark green leaves. The orange-like fruit is eaten by the natives "but is unpalatable to whites except as a sherbet or a marmalade. The fruit is anti-dysenteric. The tree is common throughout India, is easily cultivated and stands a wide range of temperature, 20° to 120° F. SOLANULI MURICATUil. •uits of the pepino, a, perfectly seedless fruit T-rith. a •;ided . f cucumber bu et and melting, and appre- ciated 1. ;reat many people. It has been grown occasion- ally in South Carolina. 404 NO. 59. BULL: 70RE1 ,ANT INTRODUCTIONS. March 1 to 15., 1911. * NEW PLANT IMMIGRANTS. : ' ppli cat ions for material listed in this bulletin may this Office. As they are received they are .aterial is ?or the use of experimenters it j to those on the list applicants who can show that to care for it, £ " as to others selected h the particular plants imported.) (A- . 29991. Seeds of n, peach . , China. Presented by Dr. J. 3. Nes,l . "This '^r from here. It is a cling and though rather for •, is very large and luscious, COMING INTO OU1 £ LASTING FOR A MOUTH OR It is the last peach rt during the seas- the peach middle i and continuing thrc am, about four months in' all." (Heal.) ' distribution later. Ac SPP. (C Larface .) 29981-983. Aspa ~ed fr 't, '• . Purchased frc -srs. Kaage und Schmidt. 2" Polius from Jerusal-:. , "?.lestine. , ' ican Colony, Jerusalen. 3001C-r_l . . I'.GS, Italy . Parchased from 30012-015. Asparagus seed from jurgh, Sc . . rviley Balfour, Royal Botanic Gard'. . ore secured for the Office of Truck- Crc ease: -jsist . All for dist '- bution later. •nridacer . 29957-959. Seeds of barber- .from Eew, land. Prer . . Ld Prain, Director, Rc:,r;l I . 29957. Berber is acuminata. 29958. Eer- .759. Berber is wilsonae. 29999. Plants of •y frc. , 3. :hased fro:.. . 1 .rre Sebire. Ber- --- ste: '.na. All for distribution later. CC (Pomaceae.) 29963-971. Seeds of nine . . Presented •. David , Direc lens. The cot n are es- :-iall; .alls and for . the ho: woiia na OTWI OWIMOO . HO HT1. ") . L t^ir . 405 CYDONIA SP. (Pomaceae.) 30059. Cuttings of a quince from Kashgar, Chinese Turkestan. "The quince called in Turkestan 'Beeha'. A large variety with ribbed fruits, covered with heavy down, a prolific "bearer. The fruits stewed with sugar, made into a compote or cooked with rice are favorite foods in both Russian and Chinese Turkestan. The plants stand consider- able alkali and drouth and are recommendable as a fruit tree for the home garden in desert regions." (Meyer's introduc- tion.) For distribution later. This shipment of cuttings, con- taining besides this quince, cuttings of elm, grape, willow, poplar and tamarisk, is, so far as can be found, the first im- portation of cuttings from Chinese Turkestan to the United States. The material, which was shipped January 18 from Kash- gar through the American Consul-General in St. Petersburg reached Washington in perfect shape March 9, after exactly 50 days. Much of the material however had been collected as early as the latter part of November. DIOSPYROS EAKI. (Diospyraceae. ) 30065-066. Cuttings of persimmons from Okitsu, Japan. Presented by Mr. T. Tanakawa, in charge of the Government Horticultural Experiment Station. 30055. Fugi. Astringent variety. 30066. Fuyu. Non-astringent variety. For distribution later. HELIANTHUS SP. (Asteraceae. ) 29984. Seeds of a sunflow- er from Mexico. Presented by Dr. Edward Palmer, Durango, Mexico, through Dr. R. H. True. "Dr. Palmer in 1896 found a rather good-looking sunflower seed in Mexico which has inter- ested me considerably. It is not a large seed but has a good plump kernel and I think will give a fairly good oil yield. The shuck is much thinner than that of the Russian sort and if it will yield in this country might prove valuable. Doctor Palmer tells me that in Mexico where this sort is grown the black shells yield a purplish dye which is esteemed by some. Five years after collection these seeds gave a germination test of 85#." (True.) For distribution later. JUNIPERUS CEDRUS. (Pinaceae.) 30093. Seeds of a juniper from the Island of Palma. Presented by Dr. George V. Perez, Puerto Orotava, Teneriffe, through Mr. S. T. Dana, Acting Chief of Silvics, Forest Service. "A very rare and nearly ex- tinct tree. It comes from the heights of the neighboring Is- land of Palma, where the few specimens that remain are being destroyed without mercy. I am afraid the seed is very bad, most of it being barren, probably coming from isolated female trees, but I hope amongst it there may be some fertile seed. In years to come 1 hope to have some seed myself from a few young trees in my garden here." (Perez.) For distribution later. 406 LALLEMANTIA IBERICA. (Menthaceae. ) 29932. Seed from Eew, England. Presented "by Dr. David Prain, Director, Royal Botani- cal Gardens. This plant which is now "being cultivated in Southern Russia for its oil-producing seed, is introduced in order to test its value as an oil-crop, the oil "being consid- ered one of the highest grade drying oils. As it occurs native in the drier parts of Palestine, it may "be of great importance in the semi-arid portions of the Southwest. For distribution later. LATHYRUS SPP. (Fabaceae.) 29933-94R. Seeds of thirteen species of Lathyrus fom Kew, England. Presented "by Dr. David Prain, Director, Royal Botanic Gardens. Introduced for the work of the Office of Forage Crop Investigations. For distribution later. MAJTGIFERA INDICA. (Anacardiaceae . ) 30085-089. Cuttings of mango from Lucknow, United Provinces, India. Presented "by Mr. H. 3. Davies, Superintendent, Government Horticultural Gar- dens, at the request of Rev. N. L. Rockey, Gonda, United Prov- inces. 30085. Amin. 30086. Bombay. 30087. Dilpasand. 30088. Langra. 30089. Safeda. All for distribution later. MEDICAGO CANCELLATA. (Fabaceae.) 30061. Seed collected near Sarepta, Russia, on top of the Jergeni hills, on white stony, sandy soil effervescing with acid, by Mr. W. Grekow, Zarizyn, Saratoff, Russia. Presented by Mr. W. V. Arapow, Samara, Russia. For distribution later. MEDICAGO FALCATA. (Fabaceae.) Seed from SvSlof, Sweden. Presented by Dr. N. H. Nilsson, Director, Swedish Seed-breeding Association. "This is seed from our real Medicago falcata which grows wild in most parts of our country and it is a very good species. Its harvest-value is not very great, as it is frequently lying down, but as a pasture plant it is the more valuable. It turns vast dry stretches of sandy (but calcareous) ground into excellent pasture fields, where an astonishingly great number of cattle can feed the whole summer. The seed should be prepared in order to make it germinate." (Nilsson.) For distribution later. MEDICAGO FALCATA. (Fabaceae.) 30009. Seed from Simla, India. Purchased from Mr. F. Booth Tucker, The Salvation Army, Simla. From Kashmir. For distribution later. PRUMJS SP. (Amygdalaceae. ) 29921. Seeds of a cherry from Tokyo, Japan. Presented by Dr. T. Watase, the Tokyo Plant, Seed and Implement Company. "Oshima Sakura. The fastest growing variety of cherry trees, the wood of which is valued for fuel and charcoal." In Japan where the charcoal fire is & great 407 feature of the home life, prizes are given "by horticultural societies for the most "beautifully "burning charcoal. (Fair- child.) For distribution later. POPULU3 SPP. (Salicaceae. ) 30054-057. Cuttings of pop- lars from Chinese Turkestan. These varieties include one or two very resistant to drought and alkali, one recommended as a sandbinder, and are all recommended as quick growing shade trees for the drier regions of the United States. (Meyer's introductions.) For distribution later. PYRUS SP. (Malaceae.) 29972-975. Seeds of pears from Kew, England. Presented "by Dr. David Prain, Director, Royal Botanical Gardens. 29972. Pyrus "balansae. 29973. Pyrus canescens. 29974. Pyrus longipes. 29975. Pyrus adenophorus. All for distribution later. PYRUS SPP. (Malaceae.) 29994-995. Cuttings of pears from Haifa, Palestine. Presented by Mr. A. Aaronsohn, Jewish agricultural experiment station. 29994. Pyrus syriaca. 29995. Pyrus sp. For distribution later. PYRUS SPP. (Malaceae.) 30030-30033. Cuttings and seeds of pears from Algeria. Presented by Dr. L. Trabut, Algiers. Cuttings of 30030. "A large fruited Pyrus sp." Cuttings of 30031. "This is near to P. longipes, but sufficiently characterized by the form of the leaves and the fruit. This pear grows on the tufas in the region of Lamoriciere, Daya. I called it gharbensis from the name of the region which formed part of the ancient kingdom of Gharb (of the west) at the time Arab domination." Cuttings of 30032. "A Pyrus which I have not yst distinguished, and which occurs in the basins of the high plateaux on the edge of the great Chott, a location more calcareous and even alkaline. (This Pyrus has been provision- ally assigned to P. gharbensis but it is not identical.)11 Seeds of 30033. "Pear occurring on the calcareous tuffs in the dry region south of Oran. Stock good for very calcareous soils." This seed was received under the name Pyrus gharben- sis. All notes by Dr. Trabut. For distribution later. RUBUS SPP. (Rosaceae.) Seeds of three" species of Rubus from Kew, England. Presented by Dr. David Prain, Director, Royal Botanical Gardens. 29976. Rubus flosculosus. From the province of Hupeh, Chinese Empire. 29977. Rubus lasiostylus. From the Patung district, Hupeh province. 29978. Rubus parvi- folius. From the provinces of Chihli, Shingking and Szechuan, and in Corea and Japan. All for distribution later. SALIX SPP. (Salicaceae.) 30051-053, 30058. Cuttings of willows from Chinese Turkestan. Among these are forms standing 408 great alkalinity and high degrees of heat and drought. One is characterized "by having brilliant green twigs. (Meyer's intro- duction?,). For distribution later. STRYCffiTOS QUAQ.UA. (Loganiaceae . ) 30026. Seeds from Amani, German East Africa. Presented by the Director, Biologisch Land- wirtschaftliche Institute. Introduced for the work of this Office in bringing together all the members of this genus with edible fruits, in the hope of finding some worthy additions to the list of semi-tropical fruits standing shipment well. One edible species, S. spinosa, has fruits as large as a small pomelo with a shell that requires a hammer to crack it. (Fair- child.) For distribution later. TAMARIX SPP. (Tamaricaceae. ) 30049-050. Cuttings of two species of tamarisk from Chinese Turkestan. One recommended as a sandbinder often forming mounds twenty meters high, the other as an ornamental shrub for alkali regions. (Meyer's intro- ductions.) For distribution later. TRIFOLIUM SPP. (Fabaceae.) 29950-956. Seeds of seven species of clover from Eew, England. Presented by Dr. David Prain, Director, Royal Botanical Gardens. Introduced for the work of the Office of Forage Crop Investigations. For distri- bution later. ULMUS SP. (Urticaceae. ) 30060. Cuttings of elm from Khanaka, Oasis of Sandju, Chinese Turkestan. "A variety of elm called 'Karayagatch* , having graceful, slightly drooping branch- es. Found in an old graveyard." (Meyer's introduction.) For distribution later. VACCINIUM VITIS-IDAEA. ( 7acciniaceae . ) 30064. Seed of cowberry from Bremen, Germany. Presented by Dr. G. Bitter, Botanical Garden. Imported for the work of Mr. F. V. Coville in breeding improved blueberries and other Vacciniums. For distribution later. VITIS VINIFERA. (Vitaceae.) 30042-048. Cuttings of table grapes from Chinese Turkestan. All these varieties are grown under irrigation on arbors and with long wood. 'They are buried during winter to avoid the great fluctuations of temperature occurring during that season. (Meyer's introductions). For dis- tribution later. ZSA MAYS. (Poaceae.) 30035-038. Corn from Yachow, Szechuan, China. Presented by Mr. E. T. Shields. Four forms, white, yellow, and smooth and rough-surfaced pop-corn. For dis- tribution later. 409 NOTES FROM FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS . BRITISH EAST AFRICA PROTECTORATE, Nairobi. Mr. J. W. T. >lellan writes February 15 that he has sent to the Kenya For- est to try to get Landolphia rubber plants or seed for us. CHINA, Shanghai. Mr. D. MacGregor, Superintendent of Parks, writes without date that "the white bark of the Dios- pyros lotus is believed to be due to climatic conditions and age. Four-year-old seedlings which I possess, show no signs of the white bark. Further, they can hardly, except by slight- ly slower growth, be distinguished from plants raised from seeds of the cultivated varieties. With regard to the climatic effect in the production of white bark I have no experience with the Diospyros, but Pinus Bungeana, the white pine of Northern China, occurs here in gardens, some in the native city being of considerable age, but none show the white bark. Some time ago I received a basket of seedling nanmu trees from Mr. Eeaman. They were in such delicate condition when they came to hand that I planted them immediately. I am glad to say that -he majority of them are alive. Being only plants from 4 to 6 inches high and having sustained a long journey you can under- stand they were totally unfit to forward to you. By next autumn they ought to be able to stand exporting." CTTBA, Cienfuegos. Mr. Robert M. Gray of the Harvard Bo- tanical Experiment Station writes March 8 that he will try within a few days to send samples of the three varieties of Dasheen (Colocasia antiquorum var. esculentum) grown there, in which he is unable to distinguish any specific difference when own in good soil. He will also send specimens of the type grown everywhere there as a table vegetable and called locally malanga ysleSo (to all appearances Colocasia antiquorum escu- lentum type) . ENGLAND, Cheshire, Neston. Mr. A. K. Bulley writes March 5 that "Forrest arrived here safely yesterday bringing with him truly terrific loot. My soul quails before the immense quantity of species he has collected. They will take some raising!" He has brought with him seed of the Chinese paper tree and of one .inese labiate oil plants, which seed will be sent us as soon as possible. INDIA, Saharanpur. Mr. R. S. Woglum writes from Hong-kong that on his return to Saharanpur in April he will secure bud- wood of the "Sylhet lime" which he thinks would be a very valu- able introduction. NEW ZEALAND, Auckland. Mr. W. Petrie writes January 22 that he will be glad to send us seed of Entelea arborescens as 410 soon as it ripens. "It grows in such plenty in my garden that the seedlings are a perfect nuisance, so I do not anticipate that you will have, any difficulty in growing them." This in- troduction is a tree already tried in California and found to "be a very rapid grower. It is made for the purpose of ascer- taining the possibility of using the sawdust of the wood, which is very soft and light, as packing for grapes in place of the cork and redwood sawdust commonly used. PARAGUAY, Horqueta. Mr. T. R. Gwynn writes January 17 that as we failed to receive the seeds and specimens of "timbo" (PithecoloMum sp.?), the "urunday" (Astroniura sp.?), the "eud- piy" (Piptadenia sp.?), and the "cedro" (Cedrela sp.?), he will t them for us as soon as he can. The "cedro" he describes as having "a leaf exactly like our "black walnut, "but the wood is soft, grain smooth and even, color of wood exactly that of our cedar, is not an evergreen, is excellent for posts, and grows from posts planted in the ground." He will also send shortly roots of the "guavadamy", and has "been promised seed, leaves and twigs of the "ymangasy" or Paraguay rubber tree. In all has spent "something like $500 Paraguay paper money, which is now at a discount of 1300 per cent and has been down to 1800 per cent, so you see I haven't spent much." PARAGUAY, Villa Encarnacion. Mr. C. F. Mead writes Feb. 1 that as scon as he can obtain them, he will send seeds of the Yerfca carmi or yellow yerba. This grows as a shrub, is a finer flavored yerba "but not as profitable. However, it flourishes in very poor soil. "As regards the cactus caraguata, (Bromelia argentina, S.P.I. 28689), of which I sent seeds some time ago, giving the plant a bad name on account of its spreading habit , it seems that the fibers of the leaves are used for making rope, the same as henequen and the like plants cultivated in Mexico. While putting up Caraguata bridge, I tested a rough rope of f inch made of caraguata and it stood a greater strain than a new f inch manilla rope(German make), lifting in succes- sion a steel girder of 560 kilos and then a steel trestle of 870 kilos. The f inch manilla lifted the girder but broke on the trestle. The caraguata rope was a rough affair, just twist- ed together by one of my peons, but most of the fibers were about 30 inches long." RUBUS SP. CHINESE RASPBERRY. In connection with Plant Introductions Nos. 29976-978 in this Bulletin we give the above photograph of a new and in- teresting strain of Chinese raspberry, Plant Introduction No. 23346, which was fruited out last season in California. Un- like introductions many years ago from India, which were dis- seminated widely through the country under the name of straw- berry-raspberry, this strain has berries of a very pleasant flavor suited for preserving. Its greatest probable value, however, lies in its early ripening. At Chico, California, fruits were ripe while the standard varieties were just in bloom. Similar results were obtained in Maryland with this variety. The fruits have no bloom, are unusually large, and are very attractive. From photograph by Dr. Walter Van Fleet, Chico, California, April 14, 1910. 446 UK . CENT OF AGRICULTURE, BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY, OFFICE OF FOREI D PLAKT INTRODUCTION. NO. 64. BULLETIN OF FOREIGN PLANT INTRODUCTIONS. June 16 to June 30, 1911. NEW PLANT IMMIGRANTS. (NOTE: Applications for material listed ir- this bulletin may be rrade at any tiire to this Office. As they are received thr e filed and when the n-aterial is ready for the use of experimenters it is sent to those on the list of applicants 3 can show that they are prepared to care for it, as well -rs selected because of their special fitness to experiment vrith the particular plants imported. One of the main objects of the Office of Foreign Seed und Plant Introduction is to secure material for plant erimenters , and it will undertake, so far as possible, to fill any specific requests for foreign seeds or plants from plant breeders and others interested.) PARAGUS SPP. (Convallariaceae. ) 31296-297. Fruits of asparagus from the 'an Shan Mountains, .?e Turkestan. One of climbing habit, the other slightly . jd found, on a sandy alkaline spot. Both of possible lue as ornamental perennials and as factors in breeding resicof.nt strains. (Meyer's introductions.) For distribu- tion later. BERBERIS SPP. (Berberidaceae. ) 31287-289. Seeds of three species of barberry from the Tekes Valley, Thian Shan ins, Chinese Turkestan. All tall species growing to a height of ten to twelve feet, one of the species seeming to do well in more or less sterile soils. The colors of the berries are respectively red, brown and blue. (Meyer's intro- ductions.) For distribution later. CALLIGC" ?. (Polygonaceae. ) 31293. Seeds from near Schul-Kuduk, Chinese Turkestan. "A graceful looking, small desert shrub, having a multitude of slightly bent, very white branches, which are from two to four feet in length. Occurs in deserts of moving sands, where it builds s.:nall mounds. To be tested for its sand-binding capacities in the dry and not- too-cold sections of the United States." (Meyer's introduc- tion.) For distribution later. 447 CITRUS SFP. (Rutaceae.j 31556-358. Cuttings of three species of citrus from Taihoku, Formosa. Presented "by Mr. G. Takata, chief of the Bureau of Industry, Formosan Government. The three species are called respectively, "Ponkan* , "Sekkan", and "Tankan", and are reported to be of the finest Formosan varieties. For distribution later. COLOCASIA SPP. (Araceae.) 31318-320. Tubers of da- sheens from Tientai, China. Pre ented by ILrs . A. 0. Loosley, China Inland Mission. 31318. "The tubers of this variety, when cooked, are dry and mealy, and are rather whiter than the Yii-na variety. The leafstalk is referred to by the Chinese as 'white1. (Loosley.) "The tubers are nonacrid when raw. The flesh and sprouts are white. When cooked, the flesh is of fair flavor'." (R. A. Young.) 31319. "The tubers of this variety, when cocked, are white at the heart and a purplish color outside. They are sticky and moist. The leafstalk i? called Yii-na(black) . This variety must be grown in soil(no~ rK sn(i ^he earth should be kept banked In dry weather they should be watered." (Loosley.) "The tubers are nonacrid when raw. The flesh and sprouts are white. When cooked, the tubers are lacking in flavor." fR. A. Young.) 31320. "Tuber pink sprouted." (R. A. Young.) All for distribution later. COTONEASTER SPP. (Pomaceae.) 31285-28S. Seeds from the valleys of the Tekes and the Chong Djighilan, Thian Shan •tins, Chinese Turkestan, altitudes 3700-4000 feet, numbers of blackish-red berries, persisting until March. Of possible value as park or garden shrubs. (Meyer's introductions.) For distribution later. CUCUUIS MELO. (Cucurbitaceae. ) 31298-302. Seeds of th'-e- winter melons and two summer melons from Maral-Bashi anr> -, Chinese Turkestan. "To be tested in sections of the Tlniten States where the summer s are hot and long, the air dry, and where the soil is of a friable, slightly sandy natur , I contains a fair percentage of alkali." (Meyer's introductions.) For distribution later. DYERA COSTULATA. (Apocynaceae . ) 31362. Seeds from ang, Java. Presented by Mr. H. Buysman, Botanic Garden, Lavrar^'. "A Sumatra tree, which produces a surrogate for caoutchouc. A company for the manufacture of articles of this gum is to be formed at Sourabaia with a capital of several millions of florins." (Buysman.) For distribution later. ELEPHANTOREHIZA ELEPHANTINA. (Mimosaceae . ) 31309. Seeds from Springbok Plats, Wat.erberg District, South Africa. 446 Presented - . J. Burtt Davy, Government agrostologist 1 "botanist, Pretor. . .tal. "All grasi' .imals, wild and a, iiiagiy fond of this plant. It has long, succulent roc~ an underground ste . It does not shoot ,3r late in our, surlier , seldom before December, and its stea.^ are killed again by the first frosts of May. The 3ed-pods are still ,;;reen xvhen the frost comes, and the seeds not rine, but :ey are so well protected by the strong leath- that Trost cannot hurt then-, and they ripen in od long after the stem that bore them has been killed frost. are used for tanning leather." 3. Barber, in Harvey, Flora Capensis, vol. 2, p. 277.) For distribution later. JG-ENIA SP. (Myrtaceae.) 31566. Seeds from Paraguay. ited by Mr. C. F« Mead, lla Encarnacion. "This '.led in Guarany, fiangapiri. Fruit found in forests of Para- guay. In size a..o. color same as May Duke cherry. Tree grows to the heiight and in the same shape as this cherry. It. has, -evsr, from one to three seeds in each fruit and has a button at the bottom similar to the quince. It is a beautiful looking fruit, but the taste is nothing wonderful according to my palate. .a tree is found only inside the forest in shads, so it cannot be very resistant to frost." (Mead.) For distribution later. EU fS SP. (Celastraceae. ; 31275. Cuttings from the mountains near Ta-si-ku, Hi Valley, Chinese Turkestan. "A ill creeping Euonymus found on grassy mountain slopes with northern exposur0, and between shrubs on somewhat moist and -1 places; making stems three to four feet in length when in -.veil protected places. Leaves small, wine-red underneath and semi-per^i^tent . Of possible value as a - over beneath trees in northern regions. May be expected to be hardier than the ordinary E. radicans and its varieties a^ the climate of Hi Valley is decidedly of a ^ continental nature. On November 24, 1910, the mercury dropped to -30° C.(-22° F.)" (Meyer's introduction.) For distribution later. HALIMODENDRON HALODENDRON . (Fabaceae.) 31290. Seeds lear Ure-dalik, Chinese Turkestan. "A spiny Colutea-like shr und on sandy and alkaline places in deserts where the moist,ur" i?. not far fr e s^rfaca. St some shade also; fit for a hedge plant in regions where long, hot and dry surEtDers prevail ana where the winters are cold." (Meyer's introduction.) For distribution later. INOCARPU3 EDULIS. (Fabaceae.) 31274. Seeds of "Tahiti chestnuts" from Tahiti, Society Islands. Procured by 449 Mr. North Winship, American Consul. "These Tahiti chestnuts come from \vhat is considered the "best tree on this island. The nn.t just as it is should be planted about four or five inches in the ground , good loamy soil preferred, and also in the place where the tree is desired. It is of slow growth, but makes a beautiful tree, growing to great size and yielding abundantly. Keep the seed and the young plant damp, but not wet." (Winship. ) "The seeds are much prized by the ives as food, being eaten boiled or roasted. They are to be less palatable than the chestnut." (Fairchild. ) MALU3 SP. (Malaceae.) 31279-280. Seeds of wild apples from Chong Djighilan and Kuldja, Chinese Turkestan. "Appar- ently of great value an factors in hybridization work." For further information on the wild apples of this region see the notes from Meyer's correspondence in Bulletin No. 62, this series. (Meyer's introductions.) For distribution later. MANGIFERA INDICA. (Anacard iaceae . ) 31579-380. Plants of two vp-'-ieties of mango from Tahiti, Society Islands. Procured by Mr. North Winship, American Consul. 31379. "Superba. This gives a fine large fruit, heavy and almost round; its color is yellowish golden." 31380. "Altissima. Tnis is practically the same as the preceding, possibly longer and •^ pointed at the bottom. Its color is pink or red with sometimes a violet hue." "Both of these are less fibrous than the other mangos found here, and are very luscious. These trees begin to bear with the commencement of the rainy season. It is thought that both the?e varieties came originally from India." (All notes by Mr. Winship.) For distribution later. MANGIFERA MACROCARPA. (Anacardiaceae . ) 31354. Cuttings from Buitenzorg, Java. Presented by the Director, Department of Agriculture. Introduced for the work of this office in testing new and hardier stocks for the mango. For distribu- tion later. MAURITIA FLEXUOSA. (Phoenicaceae . ) 31311. Seeds of the Miriti or ita palm from Brazil. Presented by Mr. Walter Fisher, Acting Director, Campo de Cultura Experimental Paraense. "It is a magnificent palm, its cylindrical stems rising like Grecian columns to a height of 100 to 150 feet, terminated by a crown of large fan-shaped leaves, from the base of which is produced a big bunch of pendulous fruits, some measuring eight to ten feet in length, weighing two to three hundred pounds and containing several bushels of fruit. Each fruit is about the size of a small apple, having a reticulated, polished, smooth shell." (Smith, Dictionary of Popular Names of Plants.) "These palms are a very conspicuous r it< . tloa icift , «,£jojj£ err I o ' ' fl 1J& L . . . .Cdv- T.r: . fc C7i •i C'J . • , " . • r* I ' , « .• n .tr^8. Oi.. ':' *>•: r;t3i> ; ri~: ; i . )' *ifij re 1 ;? .! 5 »r'i I ;d^---"Cc >' t 'i,.^'"; ^fei A • • . • . . , 92 CC^'S . ESfft^ -is* w i- -ss!*ne^. - - •'* £>$ "fr !•.•*•» i-.fr -n; ic^-' t - .^c/v . tu-eJ- ii'»s ^rnij' s ''"..(tott i , - . .. _ ., , !se Or. i 'to flJjiQ^ o.t «a LOO ere -.fi T^Ot'l I ' p- VJ? a -i*^.Tc-vl e ojiflr? ?aft£' v;^, -f; ]( •.-.:£•:! t?1 ft nd w*. .*«»• *"*4?lo^-': -flo 9r5£*-: i^'J . - >• l. .; I • jQsrcc . \-r\ t £ .t s :iLt. . - . -^: .l-.-J~.LtL -r c c-.ecf>. y n£ ."ccio " . n i • . •' . O£ *l i ., L^IA nn.° 'i , nc , :. ST 10 ;:.- .' 2 ° 3 e I • rf j '2 - ''' , TSV ', " , TO 10 nSrS.3 .,1U)00 ;: J' fi.r rW "V ''I-' - '^l- to :T. v c .orir ; • •: . ' •;; ; Q • . -: •- ( . • ; : . \:d n e T n .'. f\ > " . r L r: : , • Ptf * J • 450 feature along the Moju River whence 1 "brought the seeds. I tile seeds v.'ere once, that is, before the days of rubber, quite largely exported for making buttons. This is one of the so-called, ivory nuts." (Fischer.) For distribu- tion later. MECONOPSIS 3PF. (Papaveraoeae.) 31269-271. Seeds of throe species frorc Liverpool, Kn gland . Presented by the firm Bees Limited. 31263. Meconoc integrifolia. This mag- nificent biennial from the high Alps of v/estern China at of 11000 to If-OOC feet has proven thoroughly hardy and Ireland and flourishes and f 1 c\vers without anjr special treatment. I: is described as very striking, hav: :.erous yellow flowers (as many as eighteen on a three foot plant )usually five to six, but sotr..e times as much as ten inches in diameter. 31270. Meconopsis delavayi. 31271. •>psis rudis. These last t-?o are less known species from 'vocations , with almost equally striking flow- , cur. probably less easy of culture. All three introduced in the hope of adding hardy biennials of easy culture to our garden flora. For distribution later. MEDICAG-0 PALCATA. (Pabaceae.) 31303-304. Seeds of alfalfa from Chong Djisrhilan and Hi Valleys, Chinese Turkestan. Wild yellow-flowering forms considered by the ~ives superior to the cultivated varieties. (Meyer's introductions.) For distribution later. MEDICAGO PLATYCARPOS. (Fabaceae.) 31305. Seeds of alfalfa from near Kurre, Thian Shan Mountains, Chinese Turkestan. "A wild alfalfa of erect growth, bearing yellow f lowers and short, flat pods. Found on clayey and peaty hillslopes at altitudes between 6000 and 7000 feet. Stands great cold .in winter and drought in summer, and is eagerly ef-.ten by horse?-, cattle and sheep. Of probable value as a forage plant in sections of the United States where the ordinary alfalfa is winter-killed." (Meyer's introduction.) For distribution later. PERSEA AMERICANA. (Lauraceae.) 31361. Seeds of avocado from Chile. Received through Mr. Jose" D. Husbands, Liaavida, Chile. "There are two and perhaps three classes in this lot, ~ green and black purple skins like some eggplants. They are very highly esteemed and very dear, costing $6.00 per dozer. Chile money or $3.00 gold, and finding a ready sale at these high prices. May be shipped when nearly ripe and ripen upon the journey or afterwards." (Husbands.) For distribution later. 451 PERSEA AMERICANA. (Lauraceae.) 31375-376. Seeds of avocado from San Jose", Costa Rica. Presented "by Mr. C. Werckle. "These are seeds of large, very thick fleshed and very good varieties, about the best that come to the mar- ket. In color plain green." (Werckle.) For distribution later . PRUNUS ARMENIACA. ( Amygdalaceae . ) 31281. Seeds of wild apricot from the harclet of Chong Djighilan, Thian Shan Moun- tains, Chinese Turkestan, altitude 3700 feet. "Wild apricots occur plentifully here arid there in the Northern Thian Shan." further information see note from Mr. Meyer in Notes from eign Correspondents, Bulletin 62, this series. (Meyer's introduction.) For distribution later. ROSA SPP. (Rosaceae.) 31291-292. Seeds of wild roses from the Thian Shan Mountains, Chinese Turkestan. One with few spines, apr.-arently very floriferous, and of possible value for the breeding of hardier roses for the northern 3, the other of use perhape, as a stock in dry, cold ions. (Meyer's introductions.) For distribution Ip.ter. SORBUS SP. (Malaceae.) 31283. Seeds of a mountain ash from near Idin-kul , Thian Shan Mountains, Chinese Turkestan. "A so-called mountain ash, found in cool and shady places at high altitudes. Grows to be a small tree, but is usually a tall shrub. Of possible value as an ornamental park and garden tree in regions with long winters and cool " (Meyer's introduction.) For distribution later. TRITICUM SP. (Poaceae.) 31368-369. Seeds of wheat from the Hoggar region, Algeria. Presented by Dr. L. Trabut, Algiers. "This wheat was received from amo:a~ the Hoggar Touaregs. It is cultivated with the aid of irrigation." (Trabut.) For distribution later. CIA SP. (Fabaceae.) 31306. Seeds of a vetch from ve, Thian Shan Mountains, Chinese Turkestan, altitude 7100 feet. "A vetch found in wild harvested hay, considered by the natives to be a very nutritious food for cattle, but es lly good for horses. To be tested for its possible fodder value in the northern sections of the Unit en States." (Meyer's introduction.) • distribution later. VITIS VINIFERA. (Vitaceae.) 31255. Cuttings of a cultivated graps from Taihoku, Formosa. Presented by Mr. G. Takata, chief of the Bureau of Industry, Fonsosan Government, at the request of Mr. K. Hag , .pert, Bureau of Industry. These ars reported .to be from •; bearing fruit of unusual- ly high quality for tropical grapes. For distribution later. 452 (Cue .) . Seeds from frc . Ste- , . G-. N. , ound, 1 is h.r\ important , ' umboy ' . lavor oo .. Sesamuci indicum of Liberia. - . ubcu" • and \ of a gcose . : vines I th~ ordi -d . The the seed lans is to en; free from, the cably aere in this . " .. ) For ter . ORE1C- .RESPG- J. r. Zay 24, ", (Solanurn in currant.-, or blue- It itful flavor like t ethereal -ice. It the cize of three eighths inch in :r, vome a r^coi h^re as in 1. -:ich we requested, he •'.its, except a harl 9 sent us already. All others are most bly a , are usually troublesome weeds. MARY ISL. . o Ore- . Mr. :rge V. Perez 3 1, th " sh to make experiments on s. large le with St . will be glad to put at our 11 the seels he !,t one c- -.all the ripe down ^ forest, when on .r the little >-oijgh. stT' • the gr-rms. There are no seeds to b" . so the ' carrocaliente1 (that interesting Coccolo" 11 leaves ana fine fruit )and the 'fruta de pava1 , that bla: . i olet-brc-.vn-f leshed rryrtaceous fruit with seed. All three plp.nts are from the Pacific st. :e very fine large varieties here 453 MANCHURIA. Mukden. Mr. E. C. Parker, Agriculturist of Bureau of Agriculture, Industry and Commerce, writes June 6, that he can find nothing in regard to the cultivation of the vetches nn Manchuria, as the vetches are not grown there. Wild vetches do, however, occur. PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. Manila. Mr. C. V. Piper, Agrostolo- ist in Charge of Forage Crop Investigations, writes May 23 :ila, where he has been investigating the forage crop tuation for the War Department , that he will secure all the f s in the islands before leaving: and arrange with Mr. Wester, late of this Office, to get the others for us. He speaks of the "Carabao" as a "decidedly fins variety which breeds true to seed", and says it can be gotten at any time in season at the mere cost of the fruit, about two cents apiece. Ophicpogon, which he has seen growing both at . and the Hongkong Botanical Gardens, impresses him as " Lrable plant to cover the ground, and particularly steep slopes in very shady places". RHODESIA. Mr. J. Speyer Sulman, Secretary of the Nortn Charterland Exploration Company, Ltd., wr j tes June 13, that the company -will be very glad to assist us in obtaining native seeds from Northeastern Rhodesia. o'BERIA. Saissansk. Mr. Frank N. Meyer writes June 1, that he has reached this place, and after a trip into the Icnintains, will proceed to Omsk to attend a great agricultural exhibition which is to be held there. On July 4 Mr. Meyer writes, that on July 2 he arrived at Omsk, whence he will send in the material collected in the Altai Moun- tains . Issued August 25, 1911. 454 NO. 65. July 1 to 31, 1911. NEW PLANT IMMIGRANTS. ACANTHOSICY03 EORRIPA. (Cucurbitaceae. ) 31401. Seeds of th.o narras from Walfisch Bay, st Afric . Presented "by •. Richard Hor_: , Tsuraeb, German Soiithv/est Africa. "This nt is an important dune fonrsr and continues fco grow with increasing height of the dune, so that its younger shoots the siirface, chorny r;hrub, while ;pth, tapping nderground and securing such a supply that drops e::ude and fall r the cut ends of assimilating stems. Plor/ering commences in November, and "by the middle of February the female plants produce rip-.i fruits, which are borne in grer fusion, ?.r;c! for about four iths in the ir render the Hottentots independent of other sources of , :1 to a large extent, of water also. The fruits are In shape, and about nine inches in diameter. The the natives, who . corsurr.e large quantities of it uhile fresh and lay "by a store for 7/inter use in the form of hard flat cakes obtained by ev? --i, and its food value is attested by their fat and ek appe 3 during the narras season. The faculty of enjoying the juice evidently has to be acquired, for it has a et sickly flavor, and contains an acid principle very irritating to the tongue and pala.te of those unaccustomed to ; it is said that at the end of the narras season the lips even the habitual cor.su'.rers are sv;ollen and inflamed. The seeds, which scmev/hat resemble those of the squash, are very nutritious and v/ere formerly exported to Cape Town under the ' er nuts', where they found a market among the ive population ? ere also used .-opeans as a substitute for sweet almonds." (Pearson, Notes on a Journey to V7indh.uk , Kew Bull. Misc. Inf. 9:342 (1907.) For distribution later. MIICATA. (Anonaceae. ) 31383. Seeds from Piracicaba, Brazil. by Lar. Clinton D. Smith, Fazenda Kodelo do Estado de Sao Paulo. ,riety Cabeca de Negro. to me to belong to this species and There are so many variations in the trees and in that I cannot as yet clearly determine the lines of separation. The natives call this fruit 'araticu1 . " (Smith.) For distribution later. BRASSICA SP. (Brassicaceae.) 31476. Seeds of Chinese cabbage from China, by . G. Weidmann Groff, 455 :olie,c; , I, . .An cat" i very , and when .-.n (Grcff.) . tribution later. (Sola- -.) 51297. Seeds of a pepper •. C. _-'. :..d, Villa Encarna- cic . 'any, 3ii'. A very small and very . -: rival if r than the Tabasco ;uay. The se- ' Indian. . ar the yerbales of . :? --\:L.) For distribution lat- . CA JUS. . ) 31470. Seeds of the :te sapote from Kondur, . Presented "by r. . sgucigalpa. is handsome, leaves, ?sy le upper -- fonr • - I of foli - : - is of value, and possesses "nlities as f ; and avenue tree. e fruits ice an apple or a quince, and the large as a good-sized apple. When the pulp "becomes quite soft, and has "been •leiicious, melting, peach-like flavor. ripe "s October "ovemoer, "but as developed it may "be picked and , and is then quite e as though ." (P. W. . rnal Economic . 83-90, 1911.) r distribution later. See halftone CASTILLA SP. (Urticaceae. ) 51410. Seeds of a Central tree from Tul; , sruz, ;:3xico. Presented . . . even or eight trees of -.boer. Introduced for the 'fice in er. j of the various -ub"be in Porto Rico, Hawaii, and the Canal Zone. For distribution later. CSIEA PENTAEERA. (Malvaceae 31395. Seeds of West silk-cotton tree from Buitenzorg, Java. Presented ~by Din riculture. "A tree attaining a height of 100 f?et or more, having an imposing appearance. Its bark is gr?- :i covered with rough tuberculated prickles. It tapers up-?.rd from a swollen base, around which are thick projecting buttresses of sufficient width to allow of horses "being stalled between them." (Smith, Dictionary of popular names of economic plants.) "The fiber surrounding the seeds of this I rel?.ted species is the 'kapok1 of commerce, and is 456 of ported in :':sid&ro,ble quantities from the west coast ;ca." (Ccck and Cclii;.s, Economic plants of Pcrtc Rio . Per distribution later. CHRYSANTHEMUM CINERARIFOLIUM. ( Aateraceae . ) 3146o. Seeds re thrum frorn Erfurt, German;. . Purchased frot Haage & Schmidt. Introduced for the work of the Office of Drug Plant ions In growing in the United States the various c:ep of t.hi- : .";us which produce the pyrethru:;. iiis-^t •r. For distribution later. CI'.'SUS SJrP. (Hutaceae., 51406-409. Seeds of citrus fruits from lui-enzorg, Java. Presented by Mr. H. Wigrran , Jr., assistant Director, Botanical Garden, Buitenzorg. Citrus aurartiuE, var.?, two varieties of C. decuman*, and C. nobiiis. For distribution later. DIOSOCREA SP. (Diofc-coreaeeao. ) 30091. Tubers of a .'row Jfin~fit.cn, Jamaica. Dented by Mr. William •ris, Qu" erintendent of Public Garden0. "Tubers rr.nstly of fair oize, generally rather rough and irregular in form . The flesh is very white and of good flavor when cooked, reseirbliR? sorr.ewnat the white fleshed yampie of the Canal ie(Plant Introduction No. 29fS40.) (R. A. Ycurg. ) For distribution later. FICUS PSEUDOCARICA. (Urticaceae . ) 31469. Seeds cf a fir from Eritrea, East Africa. Presented by Prof. T. Eatorate , Director, C Icnial Agricultural Experiment Station, Asmara. "ffe already have this species in California and it promises to be important in supplying early Blastcpbasra with pollen to caprify the srring crop of figs." (W. T. Swingle.) F~r distribution later. l-AUHITIA SP. (Phoenicaceae. ) 31468. Seeds of rrorichy fr^.Ti L-^ Brea, Trinidad, British West Indies. Presented '. H. Caraociolo, St. Joseph Nurserie. . "A hs.ndsoire palrr plowing about the asphalt beds of La Brea. The seeds ripen in • and could readily be gathered as the palm IF. abundant locally." (Oglesby Paul.) For distribution later. ICMGO SPP. (i- ae.) 30992, 30994-31007, 31009- 019, 31021-024, 31069. thirty-one varieties cf Medicago fron. St. Petersburg Botanic Garden. Presented by the Director. Among these are a number of varieties of Medicago hispida, Medicago falcata, M. lupulina, and several of the numerous Mediterranean fonts. All for distribution later. 457 MEDICAGG LUPQLINA. (Fabaceas.) 31395. Seels of "black medick from Foochow, China. Presented by Mr. T. M. Wilkinson. "A plant with low growing stems, inclined to lie along the ground and take root at the joints. Starts in new places like white clever. Leaf about the size of white clover. Blossom yellow." (Wilkinson.) For distribution later. MEDICAGO SP. (Fabaceae.) 31467. Seeds of alfalfa from Q,uetta, Ir.dia. Secured by Mr. F. Booth Tucker, The Salvation Am ... , ml , India, iron Mr. G. H. Frost, Sub-conductor, Off f Military Farir, Quetta. For distribution later. MEDICAGO SP. (Fabaceae.) 51465. Seeds of alfalfa from Jeolikote, Uniteci Provinces, India. Presented by Mr. Norman Gill, Superintendent, Kumaun Government Gardens, Douglas Dale, at the request of Rev. N. L. Rockey, Gonda, United Province?.. For distribution later. MilCONOPSIS SIMPLICIFOLIA. (Papaveraceae. ) 31025. Seeds from St. Petersburg Botanical Garden. Presented by thQ Director. "A perennial herb with large blue-purple flowers found on the subalpine slopes of the Himalayas at an eleva- tion of 12000 ~o 14000 feet, in Nepal and Sikkim in northern Indin." (Skeels.) Introduced with others of the genus for trial, in the hope of finding a thoroughly hardy blue poppy, and also for possible use in breeding work with the hardier poppies already in cultivation. For distribution later. PERSEA AMERICANA. (Lauraceae.) 31381. Seeds of avocado from Mexico. Secured on the market at Laredo, Texas, by Mr. David Griffiths, of this Bureau. "A Mexican avocado. Only one of the kind found. Brown-black in color. The outer skin, hard, rather brittle, and easily peeled off from the edible fleeh. Flavor good, flesh firm-" "(Griffiths.) For distribu- tion later. PHELLODENDRON SACHALINENSE. (Rutaceae.) 30864. Seeds from Sapporo, Japan, Presented by Prof. T. Minarni, Botanic Garden. "Of the three species of this genus established in the Arboretum, Phellodendron sachalinense is the handsomest. All the species are natives of eastern Asia, and are small trees with pinnate leaves, ^-mall clusters of inconspicuous yellow flowers, the male and female flowers being produced on different individuals, and black berry-like fruits; they have bright yellow wood and roots, and all parts of these trees are permeated with a fragrant aromatic oil which apparently makes them immune from the attacks of insects. P. sachali- nense, which is a native of Saghalin and the northern island of Japan, has grown in the Arboretum into a tree about thirty 458 feet high, with a tall, straight trunk, and wide spreading tranches, forming a shapely flat- topped head. Tr,e seedlings, springing up naturally near the old trees, indicate that it is likely to hold its own in New England. The hardiness of this tree, its rapid growth, and the fact that it is not inj-.ired "by insects, suggest that this is a good subject to plant in narrow streets. Seeds will "be sent from the Art? re turn in the autumn to anyone who may desire to grow this tree." (Bulletin of Popular Information, No. 7, Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University.) For distribution later. XANTKOSOMA SP. (Araceae.) 31371. Tubers of yautia from Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic. Procured by Mr. Frederic L. Lewton of this Bureau. "The tubers were obtained by Mr. Lewton on the market under the name of yautia. They are oblong in form, one specimen being six inches in length and two and a quarter inches in greatest diameter, ~,h a weight of ten ounces. The sprouts are pink or reddish. The fle?h is white and non-acrid; when cooked it becomes slightly purplish and is moderately firm. The flavor is rather inferior." (R. A. Young.) For distribution later. XANTHOSOMA SP. (Araceae.; Tubers of yautia from Port-au- Prince, Haiti. Procured by Mr. Frederick L. Lewton of this Bunm^ . "The tubers of this variety were obtained on the market, under the name of 'Malanga1 , by Mr. Lewton. They are roundish in general form, some specimens being about two and one half by three inches in size and weighing five to six ounces. The sprouts are reddish in color. The flesh is acrid when raw, but this is destroyed by boiling for 35 or 40 minutes. The flesh is very firm when cooked and is of fair flavor." (R. A. Young.) For distribution later. NOTES FROM FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS. CUBA. Cienfuegos. Mr. Robert M. Grey, Superintendent of the Harvard Botanical Station, writes July 18, that he has secured for us more of the Animas Malang&s, which he will send a.fr.er they have fully matured. There are two varieties, one the common "malanga", the other very nearly like .the Trinidad dasheen. PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. Mr. C. V. Piper writes June 22, that he is sailing July 5 on the Mongolia for Hongkong, Canton, Singapore, and Java. He is sending a considerable number of seeds of forage crops and grasses. . . • . , - • . ' ". • • • ' a j a , • • i « . « , . . 459 RECENT CALLERS. Prof. W. R. Lazenby of Ohio State University called en route to Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, where he will spend the winter. While in these countries he. will also collect such information and specimens for this Office as he can without interfering with his own plans. Requests for investi- gations ilong special lines and collections of special materials may be made through this Office. Messrs. V. Kotchetkoff of the Department of Agriculture, Moscow, and D. Roodzinski, Director of the Selection Station of the Moscow Agricultural Institute, spent several days recently in a study of the work of this Bureau and especially of the work of Arlington Farm as an introduction to a six months' investigation of agricultural methods and conditions in the United States. Mr. G. Weidm&n Groff of Canton Christian College, called July 10, to report on a recent trip he made across one of the less known provinces of southern China, that of Kwong Si. Many interesting fruits and vegetables were reported, and notes given us on the various crops grown. Much informa- tion was received on the general agricultural conditions of hern provinces, where there seems to "be a premise of a gei i.l movement in advance along agricultural lines. Mr. William W. Masterson, American Consul at Harput, Turkey in Asia, in conversation July 10, called attention to several interesting fruits of that portion of Armenia and gave us the names of a number of new men recommended as possible correspondents. Among the interesting importations sent us by Consul Masterson in the past are the oleasters, or Trebizond dates, watermelons of tremendous size, and unusually fine apricots. Issued September 12, 1911. NO. 66. August 1 to 31, 1911. 1IE3? PLANT AMONA SPP. (Anonaceae.) 31710-712. Seeds of anonas from Ceylon. -3. Charles B. Bigelc\ , Boston, Mass., •ough Prof. C. S. f; .t, Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain, s. iricata, the sour sop, An or sa, the sweet sop, species, all introduce • the work of the Office in the introduction and distribution of the "best anc fruits. For distribution later. . SPP. (Anc. • *„) 31574-576. Seeds of anonas from Costa Ri . Presented by i:r. Carlos WercLle, San Jose, Costa Rica. Three seedlings, from San :;isco, Costa Rio . "Bears se -r, delicious." (Wsrckle.) Introduced like the praced- r distribution latsr. 1ACACIA XAT'TTHORRHI (Apiaceae.) 7. Roots from , olic of Panama. Presented '• : *. J. R. Lastra. "A perennial herb of the carrot fs . It attains a height of or three feet. It has divided leases like the carrot, and small umbels of purple flowers, and has large fleshy roots, ch form an important article of food in South and Central . " (Smith, Dictionary of popular names of economic -, p, 95. ^ "Probably best adapted cultivation in the Sot-. • . , as it is slow in maturing. 11 worth the att . -',teurs.n (Fairchild. ) For distribution later. ANANAS SP. (Brcmeliaceae. ) 31558. Seeds of the ivira from Paragu. . Presented by Mr. Thomas R. Gwynn, Capilla Horqueta, Paragus; . "Ivira i? a pineapple and produces an acid of the first class. The leaf is used for fiber, producing ropes and clothing;. Tiie plant reproduces from the root, or else from 11 plant? forced on top of the fruit just exactly as the e does. This plant is very similar to the caraguata, from which is made the best rope I have ever seen. I don't know about its "i superior to anything in the United States, but I do know if yc two or three of the crude fruit, blood flows from the lips, and the teeth are set on ed:ge. You only cs.n understand 7- ho have eaten green apples and sour cherries. The fruit has just the sa>re taste as the cultivated pineapple, and _-s, ery small. lot narrower, the thorns shorter." (Gwynn.) . ribution later. DIOSPYROS PERESRINA. (Ebenaceae.) "31488. Seeds from Sibpur near Calcutta, India. Presented by Major A. T. Gage, Super- intendent, Royal Botanic Garden, Sibpur. "A dense evergreen tree 461 •id throughout the greater part of India in shady, wet places .i near stream: . It is frequently cultivated both for ornament • for its large, red, velvety fruits. The fruit is "beaten in a large mortar and tne juice expressed. This is boiled, mixed with pc-.vlered charcoal and applied once a year to the outside of the planks of boats. The half-ripe fruits are poundea in a •tar arid then six or seven days in water until they have decomposed. solution results, which is poured off. is used in dyeing and tanning." (Watt, Commercial products of India, p. 498.) For distribution later. FEVILLEA CORDIFOLIA. ( Cucurbi taceae . ) 31484. Seeds of ;& from Costa Rica. Presented by Mr. Jose C. Zeledon, San Jose, Costa .Rica. UA vine to cover trellises in hot coun- tries, that bears a fruit the size of an orange. An antidote for snake bites. Would grow in Florida." (Zeledon.) "The sequa or cacoon antidote of Jamaica, where it is a common plant in shady woods, climbing to a great height up the trunks of trees. The fruits are four to five inches in diameter, and contain from 12 to 15 large flat seeds, which possess purgative arn emetic properties and have an intensely bitter taste. In Jamaica the negroes employ as a remedy in a variety of diseases, and consider them to be an antidote against the effects of poison; they also obtain a large quantity of semi-solid fatty oil, which is liberated by pressing and boiling them in water." (Lindley, Treasur.y of botany, p. 490-491.) For distribution later. LINUM USITATISSIMUM. (Linaceae.) 31483. Seeds of white- x frirn Hoshangabad, Central Prcvinces, India. ard, Q/aetta, India, at the request of •. J. D. Shanahan, formerly of this Bureau. "As regards the oil yielding capacity of this white-seeded variety I understand it is better than the country linseed, but I believe the yield of see:! is less. It may,, however, be of use in breeding." (Howard.) This form was secured at the request of this Office, as it is reported that the Indian white-seeded variety yields two per cent more oil than the ordinary darK linseed. For distribution later. LUCUMA SPP. (Sapotaceae. ) 31479-480. Seeds of sapotes from San Jose, Costa Rica. Presented by Mr. C. Werckle, San Jose, Costa Rica. "A tree 30 to 40 feet high, with fulvous or grey branches, and long obovate leaves. The cream-colored silky flov/ers are borne in clusters on the stem. Fruit about six inches long, with reddish pulp, containing one or more polished seeds. The pulp is sweet and resembles in taste a luscious pear. le into a marmalade, which is said to be not unlike good apple preserve." -cmillan, Handbook of tropical gardening, p. 153.) For distribution later. LUCUMA OBOVATA. (Sapotaceae.) 31642. Seeds from Chile. Received thr. •. Jose L>. Husbands, Limavida, Chile. "Lucuma 462 The skin is a bright dark green, flesh yellow, ery much like a pumpkin but lighter color ana more mealy." (Husbands.) For distribution later. LYCOPERSICON SPP. ( Solanaceae . ) 31561-o62. Seeds of wild from Peru. Presented by Dr. A. Weberbauer, German jation, Lima, Peru. forms, one a "desert plant in hot rainless entirely frost-free region", the other "a climbing shrub three meters high, growing in soils constantly moist, but not swampy". For distribution later. MALUS SYLVESTRIS. (Malaceae.) 51511-31536. Cuttings of wenty-six apples from New Zealand. Presented by Mr. W. C. er ridge, Manager, Tauranga Experimental Farm, Department of Agriculture, Commerce, and Tourists. "These are cuttings of aphis resistant or aphis proof apples. Most of the varieties have been proved to be proof against the ravages of the woolly aphis, but veral have not yet been fully proved to be absolutely proof against it." (Berridge.) For- distribution later. (Malaceae.) 31688. Seeds of wild apples from Culdja, Chinese Turkestan. "Very hardy wild apples, collect- emi-arid mountains at altitudes between 5000 and 6000 trees growing at 4500 feet were in bloom at the time visit(April 20), but those at altitudes between 5500 and 6000 ere perfectly dormant yet." (Meyer's introduction.) For stribution later. See halftone plate. ALUS SP. (Malaceae.) 31689-690. Seeds of apples from Saissansk, southern Siberia. One, "said to grow in gardens around Saissansk, apparently seedlings from the wild apples, occurring :he mountains11, the other "a small apple of bright red color and possessing a most excellent flavour. Said to grow sparingly Saissansk, and apparently an improved variety of Malus baccata or perhaps a hybrid. Is locally sold dried as a sweet- and for compote and a preserve material." (Meyer's introductions.) For distribution later. -7ERA INDICA. ( Anacardiaceae . ) 31620-630. Seeds of varieties of mango from Las Sabanas , the Canal Zone. Mr. Ramon Arias-Feraud , Panama, Republic of Panama. duced like the following for the work of the Office in the the mango industry in Florida, Porto Rico, aii, and the Philippines, For a-istribution later. .UGIFERA INDICA, (Anacardiaceae,) 31572-573, 31615. Huttings and seeds of mangos from Costa Rica. Presented by . Carlos Werckle, San Jose. Three of the best quality mangos of the country, described as having few fibers and much meat. Introduced like the preceding. For distribution later. 4 £3 MANGIFERA INDICA. (Anacardiaceae . ) 31477. Cuttings of mango from Piracicaba, Brazil. Presented "by Mr. Clinton D. Smith, Escola Agricola Pratica, Piracicaba. Introduced like the preced- ing. For distribution later. MANGIFERA ZEYLANICA. (Anacardiaceae.) 31633. Seeds of a native Ceylonese small-fruited mango from Peradeniya, Ceylon. Presented "by Dr. John C. Willis, Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya. Introduced as a possible stock for the common mange. For distribution later. MEDICAGO SPP. (Fabaceae.) 31609-612. Seeds of native medicagos from Chile. Received through Mr. Jose D. Husbands, Limavida, Chile. Forms of Medicago arabica and M. hispida. For distribution later. MEDICAGO SP. (Fabaceae.) 31617. Seeds of alfalfa from near Baba, northwestern Mongolia. "M. falcata? An alfalfa, found here arid there in large quantities on the hills, growing between dense grass at altitudes about 4000 feet, reaching a height of apparently not over two feet. As the cold is very intense in these regions, these plants may be tested in the most northern sections of the United States." (Meyer's introduction.) For stribution later. MEDICAGO SATIVA. (Fabaceae.) 31687. Seeds of alfalfa from •gutchak, Mongolia. "A strain of alfalfa said to be much iier than the ordinary varieties, but also said to be of slower growth. While fields sown to imported Turkestan seed give three cuttings a year in Chugutchak, this variety gives but twc , while of the Turkestan alfalfa one third of the plants get killed in a severe winter, this strain is said not to suffer at all. To be tested in a cool dry region especially in Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, etc." (Meyer's introduction.) For distribution later. PERSE A AMERICANA. (Lauraceae.) 31614, 31616, 31631. Seeds of avocados from Amatitlan and Livingston, Guatemala, and from Chile. Introduced in the effort to get the best varieties of this t promising fruit for thorough trial in southern Florida and California. For distribution later. PHYTOLACCA DIOICA. (Phytolaccaceae . ) 31482. Seeds of the Ombu from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Presented by Mr. Joseph E. Wing, agent of the United States Tariff Board. "This tree does not withstand much frost. It is the common tree of the plains of Argentina, and is seen making a dense green mound of verdure in the very dry soils, green during the worst droughts. It makes extraordinarily rapid growth. I have seen the trees fully 12 feet in diameter. It is a very tenacious tree and once 464 established, if it is cut down, it immediately springs into life again, "but does not sucker as the growth comes from the trunk. It seems absolutely healthy and resistant. It is a tree much prized to grow near the home of the colonist or estanciero of the plains of Argentina." (Wing.) For distribution later. PISTACIA INTEGERRIMA. (Anacardiaceae . ) 31725. Seeds of' zebra wood from Lahore, India. Procured by Mr. R. S. Woglum, of this department from Mr. W. R. Mustoe, Superintendent of the Botanical Gardens, Lahore. "This is the famous zebra wood of Kakra, India, which grows to be a tree 40 feet or more high, with a trunk in diameter from two and one half to three feet, or even as much as four and three quarters feet. It grows on the warm slopes of the Himalaya Mountains in northern India, usually at an altitude of from 1200 to 8000 feet. The wood is very hard and close grained, brown in color, and beautifully mottled with yellow and dark veins, whence the name, 'zebra wood'." (Swingle.) For distribution later. RHUS VERNICIFERA. (Anacardiaceae.) 31639. Seeds of the lacquer tree from Japan. Presented by Mr. Thomas Sammons, American consul general, who procured them from Mr. Matsunosuke Yamaguchi , Nagano, Japan. "A slender-branched tree with winged leaves, attaining a height of 20 feet. It is common throughout Japan, and is cultivated for its sap, which flows from its stem and branches on being wounded. It is first cream-colored, but on exposure to the air soon turns black, and is the varnish which the Japanese use for lacquering their furniture or orna- mental articles." (Smith, Dictionary of popular names of economic plants, p. 426.) "The varnish or lacquer is valuable because of its great hardness without brittleness or becoming cracked; its high lustre and mirror-like surface which remains untarnished for centuries; its resistance to the agencies which attack resinous varnishes as it is not injured by boiling water, hot ashes, hot alcoholic liquors, acids, etc." (J. J. Rein, Industries of Japan.) "Unlike ordinary paints which dry be- cause of oxidizing properties of the oil in them, this Japanese lacquer dries better in moist than in dry air as the result of a supposed enzyme which acts upon an albuminoid in the presence of a vegetable acid and a gum. The industry is one well worthy the serious consideration of paint manufacturers." (Fairchild.) Experimenters with this tree should remember that the volatile sap causes a painful eruption on the .skin of certain persons similar to that caused by our common Rhus species known as poison ivy, though probably more intense even than the latter. For distribution later. ROSA SPP. (Rosaceae.) 31692-695. Seeds of wild roses from near Ghapsagai and Bogh-dalak, Mongolia. Among these are one 465 or two seemingly drought resistant, another for dry cold regions, curious Rosa berberifolia, with undivided leaves, more or less like those of a "barberry. For distribution later. SOLANUM TUBEROSUM. ( Solanaceae . ) 31537-547, 31654-676. Tubers of wild potatoes from Chile. Received through Mr. Jos6 D. sbands, Limavida, Chile. White and yellow varieties, some of them very early, said to yield in seven weeks. For distribution later. SOLANUM SP. (Solanaceae.) 31683.' Tubers of bitter potatoes from Perene, Peru. Presented by Mr. J. A. Furlong. For distribu- tion later. SPONDIAS MANGIFERA. ( Anacardiaceae . ) 31634. Seeds from Peradeniya, Ceylon. Presented by Dr. John C. Willis, Director, Royal Botanic Garden, Peradeniya. Introduced as a possible stock for the common mango. For distribution later. VIGNA LUTEA. (Fabaceae.) 31606-607. Seeds of a Vigna from Philippine Islands. Received through Prof. C. V. Piper, of Bureau. Two of thirty-seven interesting economic plants, ostly forage crops and grasses collected by Prof. Piper during stay in the islands while investigating the forage conditions for the War Department. For distribution later. •;A MAYS. (Poaceae.) 31560. Seeds t>f corn from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Presented by Mr. Joseph E. Wing, agent of the United States Tariff Board. "I bought the Argentine maize for you in Buenos Aires. It may have much use in our country in regions like western Nebraska or Colorado, since it matures here in a climate that will not mature our maize owing to cold nights and drought." (Wing.) For distribution later. NOTES FROM FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS. BRAZIL. Bahia. Mr. Southard P. Warner, American consul, tes August 6, that the Secretary of Agriculture for the State of Bahia has promised to secure for us as soon as possible, the caroa and the makimbiera, two species of Neoglaziovia, of probably great value as fibre plants suitable for culture in the driest portions of the Southwest. 3HINA. Tangshan. Rev. George F. Candlin writes July 1 that endeavor to get seeds of the Cedrela sinensis(Hsiang ch'un)for us, as it is cultivated in his neighbourhood for its tender leaves and sprouts, which are eaten much as the southern Chinese eat bamboo sprouts. • ' •i . :':v.:'..''. .*r. . -• . . . . '. .' .' :•: = •• '-a^ii ! jjnl ? •-. t. •-.'. : •*•-:• ; ;:• : ;.:,.-.. • -3M T:. 7 .-:;;.... v- J,'- 466 HONDURAS. Puerto Cortes. Mr. Claude I. Dawson, American consul, August 15, in sending in a quantity of the "guano pain." , pro Ochroma lagopus , for test as to the value of its sawdust as a light-weight packing material for fruit instead of redwood •t, calls attention to the fact that "there are two grades , the first and second growth, the first being hard :.e-grained, and therefore less suitable for making life- rafts, belts, etc., for which it is at present mostly used. seconi growth is easier to market, but owing to small size - seldom over six or eight inches in diameter - proves unprofit- e unless contracted for in large quantities or shipped under ireasurement . This measure is preferable, an-1 with for 500,000 feet in hand, it could be delivered at the rivers at $10.00 U. S. per thousand. The stumpage of the re is estimated at several million feet." PALESTINE. Haifa. Mr. A. Aaronsohn, Director of the Jewish Itural Experiment Station, writes July 30, that he has Just returned fr::: a four weeks trip to Damascus, Aft. Hermon and Mt . Lebanon. e collected seeds and young plants of the cedars number of seeds of various forms of Amygdalus orientalis and various Prunus species, which he has recommended str: dryland stocks which he will send us later for cultivated Prunus varieties and FE: Please note that INOCAF. :S should be No. No . c 1 351 . in Bulletin 31374 and 54, this series, VITIS VINIFERA, S. P. I. NOS. INCLUDED IN THIS BULLETIN ?7, 31479-480, 31488, 31483, 31484, 31488, 31511-536, 31537- ,31557, 31558, 31560, 31561-562, 31572-573, 31574-576, 31606- , 3 09-612, 31614, 31615, 31616, 31617, 31620-630, 31631, .- •-, 31654, 31639, 31642, 31654-676, 31683, 31687, 31688, - . . 31692-695, 31710-712, 3172c . Issued October 14, 1911. - 488 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY, OFFICE OF FOREIGN SEED AND PLANT INTRODUCTION. NO. 69. BULLETIN OF FOREIGN PLANT INTRODUCTIONS. November 1 to 15, 1911. NEW PLANT IMMIGRANTS. (NOTE: Applications for material listed in this "bulletin may be made at any time to this Office. As they are received they are filed, and when the material is ready for the use of experimenters it is sent to those on the list of applicants who can show that they are prepared to care for it, as well as to others selected because of their special fitness to experiment with the particular plants imported. One of the main ob ects of the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction is to secure material for plant experimenters, and it will undertake as far as possicle to fill any specific requests for foreign seeds or plants from plant breeders and others interested.) GENERA REPRESENTED IN THIS NUMBER. Annona . Asparagus . Callitris . Carica. Convolvulus Eugenia. Garcinia. 32044-046, 32083. 32080-081, 32091. 32071. 32158-159. 32153-154. 32072. 32082. Ipomoea. Medicago . Michelia . Oryza. Passif lora. Pelargonium. Phaseolus . Undetermined 32084-086. 32078. 32043. 32040. 32047-050, 32137-138. 31957-975. 32035. 32063. PLATS: Date Culture Mr* Aaron Aaronsohn. in Egypt. From Photographs by 489 ANNONA RETICULATA. (Annonaceae . ) 32083. Cuttings of the Block's heart from Cairns, North Queensland. Presented "by Prof. Charles Z. Wood, manager, Kamerunga State Nursery, Cairns. Introduced for the work -of this Office in "bringing together all the, improved varieties of this genus for trial. For distribution later. ANNONA SQ.UAMOSA. (Annonaceae.) 32044-046. Seeds of the sugar-apple from Brazil. Presented "by Mr. Welman Bradford, Crowley, Louisiana. "Fruta de conde. This is known as the Princess fruit; there is another variety called the Prince. In my estimation it is the "best fruit that ever grew. The largest plants I have noticed are about twelve feet high, and the largest fruit about five inches in diameter." (Bradford.) For distribution later. ASPARAGUS SP. (Convallariaceae . ) 32091. Seeds of asparagus from the Caucasus. Presented by Mr. A. Schelkowni- Chaldan Station, the Caucasus, at the request of . Prafi . Meyer, agricultural explorer. A large asparagus Lch so impressed Mr. Meyer that he made a special effort to have seeds secured for the work now being undertaken in "breeding rust-resistant forms, and also improved forms for the use of florists. For distribution later. ASPARAGUS SPP. (Convallariaceae.) 32080-081. Seeds of asparagus from Jeolikote, United Provinces, India. Presented by Mr. Norman Gill, superintendent, Kumaun Government Gar- dens. Asparagus curillus, a barbed form, and Asparagus fili- cinus, without barbs, the latter especially introduced as a great improvement over the ordinary A. plumosus for florists' use, being much hardier and handsomer and of a different type. For distribution later. CALLITRIS RHOMBOIDEA. (Pinaceae.) 32071. Seeds of •vmanian cypress pine from Tasmania. Presented to the Forest Service by Mr. L. A. Evans, Hobart, and to this Office by Mr. Raphael Zon, Chief of Silvics, Forest Service. "The tree is confined mainly to the coast, where it does rcell on poor ils. have a slow growth, but in height of one hundred feet and a diameter of about two and one half feet. In spite of the fact that it is chiefly a warm climate tree, it also thrives in some of the colder parts of there is considerable frost. It has a plain, t,hout figure, and with little difference in color between the sapwood and the heartwood. Its grain is hard and c and the wood is exceedingly durable. It is largely used for piles, telegraph poles, and in general con- struction work. It not infrequently grows in mixture with eucalyptus and when grown in the forest under moderate light conditions its form is that of a sharp cone which is tall "both in proportion to the diameter and the spread of the lateral branches. There are all gradations from this form to the spreading, bushy tree found in the open. Although the tree is widely used for a great variety of purposes in Tasma- nia, I doubt if it would prove superior to our own conifers, and believe that the chief advantage in introducing it into riaa would probably be to furnish a comparatively soft, light wood for local use." (Zon.) For distribution later. CARICA PAPAYA. (Papayaceae . ) 32158-159. Seeds of the papaya from Miami, Florida. Grown at the Plant Introduction Garden, Miami. The two fruits from which these were taken were both grown from seeds introduced from the Canal Zone by Mr. H. F. Schultz, one producing small fruits of excellent flavor, with very tender meat, the other producing large- sized pyriform fruits of excellent quality, sometimes weigh- ing ten pounds, and maturing in sixteen months from seed. For distribution later. CONVOLVULUS SPP. (Convolvulaceae . ) 52153-154. Seeds of so-called rose-root from Puerto Orotava, Teneriffe, Canary Islands. Presented by Dr. George T. Perez. These two, C. floridus, and C. scoparius, are among the comparatively few shrubby species of the genus. They have become rare in the islands because of the use of the roots to furnish a clear amber-colored oil with a rose-like smell, used to adulterate attar of roses. The C. floridus, locally known as Guadil, is an ornamental shrub, which in flower is one of the brightest and most attractive objects in the Teneriffe landscape. The pale powdered green of the leaves forms an excellent background for the masses of pure white flowers, which so completely cover the shrub that it appears as if covered with newly fallen snow. The plant is a rapid grower and should flower in the second or third year. (Adapted from D. Morris, Kew. Misc. Bull. 1893: 133-136.) For distribution later . EUGENIA JAMBOLANA var . (Myrtaceae.) 32072. Seeds from Algiers, Algeria. Presented by Dr. L. Trabut. "Originally from Madagascar. A very vigorous tree, bearing large leaves and large sweet fruits." (Trabut.) For distribution later. GARCINIA SP. (Clusiaceae. ) 32082. Seeds from China. Presented by Mr. George Campbell, Eia-ying chcu. "This morn- ing my boat en route to Swatow, China, stopped at a market 491 town and I strolled through it. I found a few specimens of a fruit called Sann pee-pah or wild loquat. It was the size of an -annulled walnut and looked like a yellow apple, save that it was spherical and marked into seven segments. It peeled like an apple. The flesh was about as thick as the hull of a walnut and very sour, but enclosed a core of seven lobes, each, save one, containing a seed. Each seed was :-losed in a sweet pulp very pleasant to the taste and suggesting the ujangosteen to me." (Campbell.) For distribu- tion later. I POLJOEA BATATAS. (Convolvulaceae . ) 32084-086. Seeds of sweet potatoes from Port Moresby, Papua. Presented by Mr. A. C. English, Barodobo Plantation, Eapa Kapa, Port Moresby. "Seeds of three varieties that we have here in this locality,- which are great tuber producers. One is a white skin and white flesh, one a white skin and deep yellow flesh, and one a pink skin and white flesh. Seeds from sweet pota- toes are rarely known here, even amongst the natives who plant them extensively." (English.) May be valuable in crea- tion of new strains of sweet potato. For distribution later. MEDICAGO FALCATA. (Fabaceae.) 32078. Seed of alfalfa from Tomsk, Siberia. "A tall, semi-erect form of 'Sholteek1 growing four to five feet in height, having much foliage and bearing large pods containing heavy seeds. Apparently very little shattering. Collected in the Botanical Garden of the Iversity of Tomsk. To be tested for forage purposes and for hybridization exclusively." (Meyer's introduction.) For distribution later. MICHELIA CHAMPACA. (Magnoliaceae . ) 32043. Seeds from Brazil. Presented by Mr. Welman Bradford, Crowley, Louisiana. olia having yellow blooms. Not as sweet as our variety. .vs thirty feet high. It is being planted in Sao Paulo as an ornamental street tree." (Bradford.) For distribution later. ORYZA SATIVA. (Poaceae.) 32040. Seeds of rice from Aksu, Chinese Turkestan. A local variety of wetland rice, 3 throughout Turkestan, which produces very large grains of a snow-white color, which swell tremendously in cooking and always remain separate. Will probably stand a consifter- le amount of alkali. (Meyer's introduction.) For distribu- tion later. PASSIFLORA SPP. (Passif loraceae . ) 32047-050. Seeds of "Maracujas" from Brazil. Presented by Mr. Welman Bradford, 412 Crowley, Louisiana. Seeds of several species used as fruits in Brazil, some yellow, some purple, and "both large and small forms. Introduced for work in "breeding with, the native American maypop in the hope of producing a valuable fruit. For distribution later. PASSIFLORA INCARNATA. (Passif loraceae . ) 52137-138. Plants and seeds of the maypop of the southeastern United States, purchased from Mr. Harlan P. Kelsey, Salem,- Mass., for "breeding purposes. Obtained for the collection being made by this Office of all the species of this genus having edible fruits for use in hybridization work. For distribution later. PELARGONIUM SPP. (Geraniaceae . ) 31957-975. Cuttings from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England. Presented by Dr. David Prain, Director. Nineteen South African species and hybrids of this genus obtained for the work of a corre- spondent in breeding new forms for commercial use. For distribution later. PHASEOLUS SP. (Fabaceae.) 32035. Seeds of a bean from the South Sea Islands. Presented by the Rev. Father C. N. Field, Boston, Mass. "I never tasted a variety as delicious as this one. They were given to me by a man who had traveled around the world. They thrived much better than ordinary scarlet runner beans, on very poor soil near Boston, grew ten feet high and were remarkably productive. They are eaten baked after removing the pods and are especially sweet." (Field.) For distribution later. UNDETERMINED. 32063. Seeds from Brazil. Presented by Mr. Fred. Birch, Theophilo Ottoni, Minas Geraes, Brazil. "Seeds of a forest shrub which I have myself discovered here. It is a rare pleasure to find a new fruit thus! It is a shrub about four feet high of very compact growth, stem and branches tough and elastic, leaves dark green, glossy, and fairly tough, about one and one half to two inches long by one inch wide, built like so many of the leaves here for living through a long dry season. I have not yet seen the flower. The fruit is a sort of elongated cherry, about seven eighths of an inch long by three eighths to seven sixteenths of an inch thick in the middle , black or purple bla.ck and with a bright, glossy skin. They usually occur singly, strung along the branches, but sometimes there are two together. From one small shrub we have eaten, I think, about three hundred fruits. The flesh is about one eighth of an inch thick over the seed and it is soft and juicy and tastes more 493 like a black cherry than any other northern fruit I can think of. When I remember the size of the wild fruit which the common cherry is supposed to have originated from, I think this little fruit promises to repay cultivation well. I would suggest trying it in Florida or California or Texas. The latter place might, I think, "be the "best for it. From mid- August to the end of September is the time of fruiting, i. e. early spring here." (Birch.) For distribution ' later . NOTES FROM FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS. CHINA. Canton. Pres. C. K. Edmunds, of Canton Christian College, writes October 7 that he has just returned from a trip through -Kwangtung and Kiangsi provinces, and expects to leave shortly for a journey in Yunnan and Szechuan, but so far has failed to find the wild-rice, Zizania, which we requested of him. Z3-YPT. Assiout. Mr. Aaron Aaronsohn, collaborator of this Department, who is at present studying the Egyptian varieties of dates, with a view to the importation of the best varieties, writes October 25 that he has received the greatest assistance from the officers of the Department of Agriculture of Egypt, who have undertaken to bring together, pack and ship offshoots of all the varieties decided upon by him as the best suited for trial in this country. In an earlier letter he describes the "Dry land date culture" of the Mediterranean shore between Alexandria and Rosetta, where tremendous crops are grown entirely without irrigation, and a rapidly increasing area is being brought under cultivation. Mr. Aaronsohn also writes from Assouan, October 29, that he has succeeded in finding at Assiout, the true "Wahi" date, and is arranging to secure the .offshoots through the American consular agent at the place. From Assouan he is sending five selected varieties, and hopes to obtain specimens of some fine dates at the Luxor market. FRANC . Paris. Mr. Walter T. Swingle, who has been attending the International Congress of Genetics in Paris, writes ITovemt that he has been investigating the citrus relatives of Africa, and has found two new genera and a new species. e governer general of Algeria has promised that Dr. Trabut, and M. Brunei, .e Director of agriculture for Algeria, soon to be appointed, shall visit America next year. November 12 he writes, "I shall bring back in my cabin living plants of the new African bael fruits, one of these able to grow in brackish water and will be a rival of Gonocitrus angulata as a stock for Citrus in alkali lands. I go to 494 Africa in a day or two to attend, the cotton growers' congress at Orleansville on the 20th. An important new office has just been created in the Colonial Office. M. Chevalier has been made a sort of traveling inspector of the Colonial gardens and experiment stations. He is full of energy and will "be a valuable man to work with." INDiA. Calcutta. Mr. William H. Michael, American consul, writes November 13, that he has "been looking into the matter of canning mangos as practiced in India. He finds that the work is being done by a young Indian who was trained in the United States, and with machinery obtained from the United States. This young man, whose factory last year turned out 20000 cans of mangos and pineapples, and who this year expects to put up 18000 cans of mangos and 12000 cans of litchis, says that there is practically no difference in canning mangos from the methods used in canning the large freestone peaches of California. The fruit so far put up has withstood shipment to England and in the cans examined the fruit retained its flavor as well as could be expected. MEXICO. Zacuapam. Huatusco. Dr. C. A. Purpus writes October 31, that he has been collecting seeds and cones of Pinus rudis, P. pseudostrobus , and another which may prove to be P. teccote. On account of the insecurity of the country he was unable to ascend the peak of Mt. Orizaba in order to obtain seeds of P. hartwegii. RUSSIA. Samara. Mr. Frank N. Meyer writes November 8, that he has returned to European Russia and will probably get into the alfalfa regions of the northern Caucasus, since the troubles in China have probably effectively prevented any work in the northwestern provinces of that country this winter. SPECIAL NOTE. Through the kindness of the Forest Service we are enabled to offer a small quantity of the seeds of the bigtree (Sequoia washingtoniana) to experimenters interested in culti- vating this tree. Issued December 20, 1911. DATE CULTURE ON THE SAND DUNES OF EGYPT. (Mr, Aaronsohn has shipped 150 offshoots represent- ing varieties which grow without irrigation on the lit- boral of the Nile Delta.) PROTECTION OF DATES BY BAGS. PICKING OUT RIPE FRESH PACKING FRESH DATES FOR THE DATES. CAIRO MARKET. TRANSPORT OF FRESH DATES 496 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY, OFFICE OF FOREIGN SEED AND PLANT INTRODUCTION. NO. 70. BULLETIN OF FOREIGN PLANT INTRODUCTIONS. November 16 to 30, 1911. NEW PLANT IMMIGRANTS. (NOTE: Applications for material listed in this bulletin may be made at any time to this Office. As they are received they are filed, and when the material is ready for the use of experimenters it is sent to those on the list of applicants who can show that they are prepared to care for it, as well as to others selected because of their special fitness to experiment with the particular plants imported. One of the main objects of the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction is to secure material for plant experimenters, and it will undertake as far as possible to fill any specific requests for foreign seeds or plants from plant breeders and others interested.) GENERA REPRESENTED IN THIS NUMBER. Benincasa. Berberis . Calamus . Castanospermum. Coffea. Dialium. Helianthus . Impatiens . Medicago. Meibomia. Myristica. 32104. 32102. 32108. 32087. 32160-162 32126. 32155. 32128-129 32089. 32114. 32124. Panicum. Paspalum. Passif lora. Polytrias . Pterocarpus Rubus . Spondias . Syntherisma Triticum. 32113, 32119-120 32116. 32127. 32111. 32121. 32101, 32130-131 32110. 32117. 32156-157, PLATE: Caravan of our Agricultural Explorer, Meyer, in Chinese Turkestan. Mr. Frank N. 497 BENINCASA CERIFERA. (Cucurbi taceae . ) 32104. Seeds of wax gourd from Trichinopoli , India. Collected by Prof. C. V. Piper. "Large, cylindrical, twelve to eighteen inches long by six to eight, inches in diameter. Very white and waxy fruit." (Piper.) This vegetable commonly used by the Chinese for vegetable soups, and also candied as a sweetmeat wherever it grows, is recommended to amateurs who are experimenting with new vegetables. It has been grown successfully near Washington. For distribution later. BERBERIS SP. (Berberidaceae . ) 32102. Seeds of a barberry from Nuwara Eliya, Ceylon. Collected by Prof. C. V. Piper. "A common species at an altitude of 6000 feet. It closely resembles B. vulgaris, but the fruits are black." (Piper.) For distribution later. CALAMUS VIMINALIS. ( Phoenicaceae . ) 32108. Seeds of a rattan from Trichinopoli, India. Collected by Prof. C. V. Piper. "A peculiar fruit said to be used in curries. Flesh very acid." (Piper.) "It is a stout scrambling and climbing species, with cane thin, but strong. It makes excellent walk- ing sticks, and is the chief rattan of the Malay Peninsula." (Watt, Commercial products of India.) For distribution later. CASTANOSPERMUM AUSTRALE. (Fabaceae.) 32087. Seeis of the Moreton Bay chestnut from Brisbane, Queensland. Presented by Mr. Frederick Manson Bailey, Colonial Botanist. "In the scrub near Kuranda we noticed trees bearing pods about the size and shape of a banana, but at least twice the diameter. Upon opening the pods they were found to contain huge beans that look very much like chestnuts. They have a leathery skin and the interior is white and not very hard, about the consistency of a nut. I tasted one of the beans, although I was told that it was poisonous. It tasted very much like a nut, but had no distinctive flavor. In spite of the poisonous nature of the bean the 'black fellows' have learned to use it as food. They first roast the beans in hot ashes, then skin them and pound the white flesh into coarse flour. They fill a basket with this flour and place it in running water over night. In this way the poisonous principle is washed out." (Dr. Alexander Graham Bell, at whose sugges- tion these seeds were procured.) For distribution later. COFFEA SPP. (Rubiaceae.) 32160-162. Seeds of coffee from Mayaguez, Porto Rico. Presented by Mr. D. W. May, Director, Agricultural Experiment Station. Three varieties of coffee from the Porto Rico Station's experimental breed- ing. For distribution later. 498 DIALIUM INDUM. (Caesalpiniaceae . ) 32126. Seeds from Singapore. Collected by Prof. C. V. Piper. "Fruit like a tamarind in structure and flavor. Purchased in the market at Singapore." (Piper.) For distribution later. HELIANTHUS ANNUUS . ( Asteraceae . ) 32155. Seeds of sun- flower from Bezsnshook, Samara Govt., Russia. "A variety of sunflower called 'Pantsernara ' meaning armor plated, origin- ated by Mr. Karsin in Russia. The seeds of this remarkable variety are provided with an extremely hard shell, being coated with silicic acid, and the weevils which have been playing such havoc heretofore with the sunflower seed crop in Russia, find it beyond their powers to penetrate the hulls of this variety. Obtained from Prof. N. M. Tulaikoff, Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station at Bezenshook." (Meyer's introduction.) For distribution later. IMPATIENS S?P. (Irnpatientaceae. ) 32128-129. Seeds from Peradeniya, Ceylon, and Garoet, Java, respectively. Collected by Prof. C. V. Piper. Seeds of two rose-colored species of possible ornamental value for very moist frost-free regions. For distribution later. MEDICAGO SATIVA VARIA. (Fabaceae.) 32089. Seeds from Is are, France. Presented by Dr. L. Trabut , Algiers. Procured at the request of this Office for the collection of Medicagos .now being formed for breeding work of the Office of Forage Crop Investigations. For distribution later. MEIBOMIA SP. (Fabaceae.) 32114. Seeds from Peradeniya, Ceylon. Collected by Prof. C. V. Piper. "Similar to, but much larger than M. triflora, now abundantly established in Florida. If this proves equally aggressive it will be a valuable pasture plant." (Piper.) For distribution later. MYRISTICA SP. (Myristicaceae. ) 32124. Seeds from Batavia, Java. Collected by Prof. C. V. Piper. "A seed used by the Javanese as a cheap substitute for'nutrneg. Identified by Mr. H. J. Wigman. " (Piper.) For distribution later. PANICUM SPP. (Poaceae.) 32113, 32119-120. Seeds from Karanganjar, Java, Singalong Experiment Station, Philippine Islands, and Peradeniya, Ceylon, respectively. Collected by Prof. C. V. Piper. Three species, one Para grass for compar- ative test, the others, creeping and decumbent species, one of which forms a good but thin burf . For distribution later. 499 PASPALUM MARGINATUM. Poaceae. 32116. Seeds from Buitenzorg, Java. "The best lawn grass at Buitenzorg and will grow in dense shade." (Piper.; For distribution later. PASSIFLORA SP. assif loraceae . , 32127. Seeds of a pas- sion fruit from Singapore. "Fruit yellow, ovoid, two inches long. Pulp subacid, seedy. Bought in the market at Singa- pore." Piper. For distribution later. POLYTRIAS AMAURA. Poaceae.) 32111. Seeds from Batavia, Java. "The common lawn and pasture grass of Java at low alti- tudes. Makes a good lawn. Horses as well as cattle eat it readily and seem to thrive upon it. Introduced in the Philippines where it is spreading." (Piper.) For distribution later. PTEROCARPUS SP. (Fabaceae.) 32121. Seeds from Singapore. "A beautiful shade tree. Elm-like in form, but with drooping branches. Abundantly planted in the Malay Peninsula, but according to Mr. Ridley, not native. Said to differ from the true P. indicus in having larger pods." (Piper.) For dis- tribution later. RUBUS SPP. (Rosaceae.) 32101, 32130-131. Seeds of rasp- berries from Nuwara Eliya, Ceylon, and Garoet, Java, respec- tively. Three species, the first pink-flowered with red to- mentose fruits of good flavor, the others salmon yellow, and red, sub-acid, and of fair quality. For distribution later. SPONDIAS SP. (Anacardiaceae. ) 32110. Seeds of the we fruit from Colombo, Ceylon. "Fruit smooth, oval, the size of a large hen's egg, each containing one stone. Flesh firm, yellowish, subacid, pleasant to taste, odor of pineapple. Bought in the market at Colombo." (Piper.) For distribution later. SYNTHERISMA SP. (Poaceae.) 32117. Seeds from Batavia, Java. "A lawn grass much like St. Augustine, but hardly as good. Collected in shady ground." (Piper.) For distribution later. TRITICUM DURUM. (Poaceae.) 32156-157. Seeds of durum wheat from Bezenshook, Samara Govt., Russia. "A large-grained uncommon summer variety of durum wheat, apparently originat- ing in these regions," and "a new and valuable winter variety of black-bearded durum wheat having very long open ears, and proving extremely hardy, having survived snov/less winters, where other v/inter wheats were either killed out or severely injured." (Meyer's introductions.) For distribution later. 500 NOTES FROM FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS. ALGERIA. Algiers. Mr. Walter T. Swingle writes November 26 to Mr. W. A. Taylor, Assistant Chief, that Dr. Trabut , in charge of the Algerian Botanical Service, has offered to send us a complete collection of the more interesting native vines, including a seedling Ahmeur bou Ahmeur, the North African original of the Flame Tokay, that is of good quality without ceasing to be a good shipper! I have found a very interesting new persimmon of the South'?) Chinese type as distinguished from the Japanese type. It differs decidedly from the Kaki, has larger leaves, green fruit with an odor of jimson weed(!) when unripe. Both the common small fruited variety and a new variety with fruits measuring two and three quarters to three inches in diameter are considered superior in flavor to the red Japanese sorts. Dr. Trabut has the finest collection of citrus fruits I have ever seen, certainly far superior to anything in America. He has some twenty-five or thirty of the principal American sorts growing alongside the choicest Old World varieties. Algeria is destined to be THE orange region of the Old World - the Spanish and Italian growers will never equal the French in skill and alertness and especially in ability to fight disease. In some ways the Algerian growers are in advance of ours - not having the capital invested in old varieties as we have, they are much more ready to test new sorts, and Dr. Trabut has for ten years been collecting all the cultivated sorts from all the orange producing regions of the world. You can see in his garden the Satsuma and King from Florida; Unshiu and Kawakami from Japan; Dancey Tangerine, South African Naartjie, Clementine and Saigon No. 19 (these last two having long leaves unlike our tangerine and two months earlier, as early as the Satsuma in. this climate) and a lot of other loose-skinned oranges in full bearing." In a letter of November 3C to Dr. B. T. Galloway he adds: "I was very much impressed by the value of the Clementine Tangerine which is by far the earliest of the kidglove type except the Satsuma. It is a bright red-orange medium-sized tangerine with a special flavor and aroma, not, however, so different from the ordinary tangerine as is the Satsuma. A tree sent to Florida three years ago and planted on the leased orchard at Glen St. Mary showed very marked resistance to cold - probably as much as the Satsuma. Dr. Trabut is convinced that it is a hybrid of a tangerine with poll or. from the 'granito' a willow- leaved Spanish variety of sour-orange. I do not see any trace of sour orange in the Clementine, but I must admit that forms very like the 'granito' do appear among its descendants. Some of the specimens I am sending you show the punctures of the fruit-fly, Ceratitis ( ? ) . I fear this would make us a lot of 501 trouble if It got into America. It can live in persimmons and lots of other fruits, so it could spread into the woods around New York and gradually extend to the great fruit regions of the Eastern States." In connection with the Ahmeur bou Ahmeur grape mentioned Mr. Taylor calls attention to the fact "that Mr. Husmann has fruited this variety in California for several seasons from stock obtained from Richter, Montpellier, France, some years ago. He is satisfied that it is distinct from Flame Tokay, though evidently of the same type." Issued January 17, 1912. AGRICULTURAL EXPLORER'S CARAVAN IN CHINESE TURKESTAN. "Our large cart, with its three mules and a strong horse and over 1000 pounds of baggage in it trekking through a piece of sandy and alkaline desert. Sand dunes rise here and there above the intensely monotonous country and are mostly covered with reeds where it is swainpy , or with tamarisk bushes where it is drier." From photograph by Mr. Frank N. Meyer, taken near Ure-dalik, Chinese Turkestan, February 13, 1911. This outfit was used en route from Kashgar to Aksu, along the north border of the Takla-Makan desert. At Aksu the load was shifted to pack-horses for crossing the danger- ous Mussart pass. The man in the foreground is the Russo- Turki interpreter, the other two being the driver and general helper. ; ;St • • " ov; -:::-: •' 515 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY, OFFICE OF FOREIGN SEED AND PLANT INTRODUCTION. NO. 72. BULLETIN OF FOREIGN PLANT INTRODUCTIONS. January 1 to 31, 1912. NEW PLANT IMMIGRANTS. (NOTE: Application for material listed in this bulletin may be made at any time to this Office. As they are received they are filed, and when the material is ready for the use of experimenters it is sent to those on the list of applicants who can show that they are prepared to care for it, as well as to others selected because of their special fitness to experiment with the particular plants imported. One of the main objects of the Office of Foreign Sed and Plant Introduction is to secure material for plant experimenters, and it will undertake as far as possible to fill any specific requests for foreign seeds or plants from plant breeders and others interested.) GENERA REPRESENTED IN THIS NUMBER. Amygdalus Brassica Bromelia Chrysobalanus Citrus Cydonia Medicago 32372-380, 32662 32416 32382 32402 32397-398 32675-676 32389, 32408-412 Phytelephas Prunus Radicula Ribes Rosa 32369 32424, 32663-665 32669-674 32660 32667 32668 PLATE: Larix Siberica, Siberian larch. Ci •':; v , " 516 AMYGDALUS DAVTDIANAXA. NANA . Amygdalaceae . 32662. Cuttings from Kozlov Tambox government, Russia. "An Amygdalus , being a hybrid between A. davidiana and A. nana. Originated by Mr. I. V. Mijurin at Kozlov, with the idea of creating a perfectly hardy peach, able to withstand the severe climate of Central Russia. This hybrid produces nonedible fruits and has the characteristic growth of A. davidiana, while the form and looks of the fruits are more or less those of. A. nana. Said to be very floriferous and extremely showy in spring- time. Possesses value as an ornamental tall shrub for the northern United States, and may serve as a hybridization factor in creating races of perfectly hardy peaches, as Mr. Mijurin' s experiences were that while A. dividiana and A. nana do not hybridize with A. persica, this hybrid does." (Meyer's introduction.) For d istribution later. AMYGDALUS PERSICA. (Amygdalaceae.) 32372-380. Cuttings of nine varieties of Mexican peaches grown at the Government Experimental Farm, San Antonio, Tex., from seeds collected by Mr. G. Onderdonk in his investigation of the peach districts of Mexico, in 1902. Among these are forms ripening as early as June 20, others as late as September 3, some of South Chinese ancestry and others pure Spanish; several of consider- able promise comparing very favorably with the Honey peach, said to be the best of the South Chinese peaches for the re.- gion of San Antonio. For di s tri bution la ter. BRASSICA JUNCEA. (Brassi caceae . ) 32416. Mustard seeds from Sarepta, Saratoff government, Russia. "Seed of the famous Sarepta mustard, which is extraordinarily strong and which is in great favor throughout Russia. To possess the right pun- gency this mustard requires a rich, blackish soil, and a hot and dry summer, with nights not too warm. The region around Sarepta seems to supply such a desired climate. May possibly be grown to advantage in certain sections of eastern Oregon. Besides being ground into mustard powder, the seeds themselves are often eaten sprinkled over fried meats or mixed in sauces, and when used in this way they give dishes an agreeable sp^icy flavor. The oil expressed is not at all strong and is in very great demand in the region around Sarepta, for culinary pur- poses being much preferred to sunflower seed oil, as it is less adulterated. The summers in Sarepta are warm enough to ripen grapes in the open, the vines are buried deeply in the winter, however, and it may be that this short hot summer assists in making this mustard so strong, for the manager of a large mustard factory stated that seeds from Sarepta mustard grown in Tambov government, a region also with black soil, but only slightly cooler, do not possess the required strength. 517 Also Indian grown seed was not as fine as that cultivated near Sarepta. These seeds were obtained from the manager of the well known mustard factory of J. C. Glitsch, in Sarepta." (Meyer's introduction.) For distribution later. BROMELIA PINGUIN. (Bromeliaceae . ) 32382. Plants and seed from Tampico, Mexico. Presented by Mr. Clarence A. Miller, American consul. "Wild pineapple or Huapillo. This plant is very prolific in this section. In many places it covers thou- sands of acres making a thick jungle. The plant propagates from the seed and by starting suckers from the root or trunk. It flourishes in the lowlands or in the highlands. The plant is drowned out' or destroyed if the land is flooded for a number of days. The leaves contain a fine quality of fiber. The fruit is used by the natives as a vermifuge. The plant itself is said to contain valuable chemical properties." (Miller.) For distribution later. CHRYSOBALANUS ICACO. (Amygdalaceae . ) 32402. Seeds of the icaco from San Salvador. Presented by Prof. A. S. Hitch- cock, of this Bureau. "A common fruit sold in the markets and by street venders. Of various colors, especially a yellow and a purple variety." (Hitchcock.) For distribution later. CITRUS DECUMANA. (Rutaceae.) 32397-398. Seeds of a pomelo from China. Presented by Mr. John M. Nixon, New York City. "The pomelo seeds were sent me by a missionary and are of the white and pink varieties of the celebrated Amoy prod- uct. The fruit is about the size and shape of our shaddock but without its dryness and bitter taste." (Nixon.) For distribution later. COCHLEARIA ARMORACIA. (Brassicaceae . ) 32660. Roots of horse-radish from Moscow, Russia. "A variety ofm horse-radish coming from Soosdal, Wladimir government, Russia, famous throughout the country for its fine qualities and said to be the best horse-radish in Europe. In special demand in Russia during the winter holidays." (Meyer's introduction.) For distribution later. CYDONIA SPP. (Malaceae.) 32675-676. Cuttings of quinces from Kozlov, Tambov government, Russia. Two quinces selected by Mr. I. V. Mijurin at Kozlov, both medium sized, one with round, the other with oblong fruits. Both are able to "with- stand successfully the severe climate of Central Russia, where quinces ordinarily perish when the thermometer drops to -20° Celsius (-4° F.). This variety has stood -35° Celsius (-31° F.) and remained unhurt." (Meyer's introduction.) For distribution later. SB il ni _riosit;tiO ,0 .L lo ^to^^fil bustfaum nwonsf IIsw B moil noi dycf Ji;taib TO^ ( .noiitoubotttni beee £>no adman . S856S ( sllsmcna) .MIUDMI1 AIJ3MQHS , -JolIiM .A sonoi^IO .'iM yd bscfnoas'i'I . ooixsM toolqcnfiT ai d-nslq airlT . oIIiqBuH TO elgqeeniq bliW" .luanoo nBOiisraA .-y oriel1 eiovoo ul asOBXq yiiBra ftl ,noi*o©3 slilcf HI oXHIo'iq yisv •uslq oriT .slg^ gni^em Seios 5o afcnsa 10 d 001 ' .: "il s'lo^f" Y^ b&& besa 9iicf mo^l 3riT .abaalxlglrf srlcf n.^ "^o Rfcrrolwol sd* ni aorfeii.vofi o"i bebooll ai bnsl oil* If £>9YOio 582 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY, OFFICE OF FOREIGN SEED AND PLANT INTRODUCTION. NO. 79. BULLETIN OF FOREIGN PLANT INTRODUCTIONS. July 16 to August 15, 1912. NEW PLANT IMMIGRANTS. (NOTE: Applications for material listed in this bulletin may be made at any time to this Office. As they are received they are filed, and when the material is ready for the use of experimenters it is sent to those on the list of applicants who can show that they are prepared to care for it, as well as to others selected because of their special fitness to experiment with the particular plants imported. One of the main objects of the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction is to secure material for plant experiment- ers, and it will undertake as far as possible to fill any spe- cific requests for foreign seeds or plants from plant breeders and others interested.) GENERA REPRESENTED IN THIS NUMBER. Amygdalus Ananas Antidesma Asparagus Baphia Beta Boscia Capparis Carissa Clavija Dovyalis 34131 34124 34163 34133 34164 34252 34177 34165 34153 34122 34250 Eriobotrya Gardenia Gossypium Grewia Hyphaene Juglans Juniperus Kraussia Maba Mangif era 34119 34167 34184-194 34181 34219 34254 34140-145 34169 34170 34199-205 Medicago Omphalea Oryza Persea Phoenix Prunus Scheff lera Strychnos Triticum Turraea 34147-51 34156 34220-49 34157 34213 34134 34123 34161 34126 34179 PLATE: Castanea sp. Chinese chestnut. 583 MATTER IN THIS BULLETIN IS NOT TO BE PUBLISHED WITHOUT SPECIAL PERMISSION. AMYGDALUS PERSICA. ( Amygdalaceae . ) 34131. Seeds of a peach from Guadeloupe, French West Indies. Presented by Mrs. F. T. F. DuMont . "In Florida there is a peach, which ripens in May and which is locally called the 'pinto peach.' I have never seen this peach below Rockledge. There is a peach here that is very much like it in shape and taste and grows and bears well and stands the heat. Its shape is long with a de- cided point at the apex. The stems are slightly indented in the fruit. The fruit is easily detached when ripe. The pulp is juicy, homogeneous and not stringy. It has more perfume and savor and is larger than the Florida peach. It Is a freestone and peels easily. It is round, not flattened, averaging 1| inches in diameter. It resists decay well, even in this heat (from 76° F. our coolest nights, to 90° always in the after- noons), some of the fruit lasting after being gathered for four days." (Mrs. F. T. F. DuMont.) For distribution later. ANANAS SATIVUS. (Brorneliaceae . ) 34124. Seeds of a pine- apple from Brisbane, Queensland. Presented by Mr. William Soutter, secretary and manager, Queensland Acclimatisation Society. "Some interesting developments may be looked for from these seeds, as they are from a smooth Cayenne crossed with pollen from the Ripley Queen. The fruit weighed with the top, turned the scale at eleven pounds. During this past thirty years I have raised upwards of 30000 plants from seed. These have been for the greater part discarded as useless, the selected types now numbering about a dozen and these show constancy, and some possess high qualities. The smooth pine is an exceptionally shy seeder, and responds tardily to pollin- ation, but not so the rough ones, which are readily pollin- ated and produce abundance of seeds." (Soutter.) For distri- bution later. ANTIDESMA VENOSUM. (Euphorbiaceae . ) 34163. Seeds from Durban, Natal. Presented by Dr. J. Medley Wood, Durban Botan- ical Garden. "An euphorbiaceous shrub or small tree five to fifteen feet in height, having a wide distribution through Central, East and West Africa. The smooth dark-red fruit one- half inch long or less is eaten by natives and children. They are not very palatable and probably might be injurious if eat- en in quantity." (Sim, Forest Flora of Cape Colony.) For distribution later. 584 ASPARAGUS TRICHOPHYLLUS. ( Convallariaceae . ) 34133. Seeds of an asparagus from Novospassko, Russia. Presented by Mr. A. D. Voeikov. "An asparagus of twining habit, found in sandy and alkaline deserts in Central Asia. Of possible value in breed- ing work." (Frank N. Meyer.) For distribution later. BAPHIA RACEMOSA. (Fabaceae.) 34164. Seeds from Durban, Natal. Presented by Dr. J. Medley Wood, Director, Durban Botanical Gardens. "An erect shrub or small branched tree with ascending branches. It is easily distinguished from all legum- inous Cape shrubs in having simple, unifoliate ovate-lanceo- late leaves. It has ornamental, white, strongly violet-scent- ed flowers, with an orange spot at the base of the standard, and is known in Natal as the violet pea. The wood is too small to be used for timber, but if cut in winter, peeled at once and seasoned makes good implement handles." (Sim, Forest Flora of Cape Colony.) For distribution later. BETA SP. (Chenopodiaceae. ) 34252. Seeds of a wild beet from Artwin, Caucasus. Presented by Mr. A. Rolloff, Director, Botanical Gardens, Tiflis, Caucasus. This wild beet seed from the shores of the Black Sea was secured for the use of plant breeders interested in the improvement of this crop. For distribution later. BOSCIA UNDULATA. (Rutaceae.) 34177. Seeds from Durban, Natal. Presented by Dr. J. Medley Wood, Director, Durban Botanic Gardens. "A large evergreen tree, often two to five feet in diameter with clean tall stems in high forests; fre- quent also as a bush or small spreading tree in scrub forests. The seeds germinate easily and the cultivation of the tree is simple. Timber white, close-grained, tough, hard and heavy, usually to be had sound in the mountain forests up to two feet in diameter and with ten to twenty rings to the inch. Used mostly by wagon-makers. In toughness it is the ash of the South African forests." (Sim, Forest Flora of Cape Colony.) For distribution later. CAPPARIS CITRIFOLIA. (Capparidaceae . ) 34165. Seeds from Durban, Natal. Presented by Dr. J. Medley Wood, Director, Durban Botanic Gardens. "A straggling shrub five to eight feet high, or with climbing branches where protected. Abun- dant in eastern Cape Colony and also in Natal. A decoction of the roots is used in local and native medicine." (Sim, Forest Flora of Cape Colony.) For distribution later. CARISSA OVATA. (Apocynaceae . ) 34153. Seeds from Sydney, New South Wales. Presented by Mr. J. H. Maiden, Director, 585 Sydney Botanic Gardens. "From Warialda, New South Wales. Growing at the foot of hills of a volcanic nature, subjected to periodical droughts, early in flowering and late in fruit- ing. The fruits are small, owing to the extreme drought dur- ing the past two years." (Collector's note.) An especially resistant species of Carissa introduced for breeding purposes. For distribution later. CLAVIJA LONGIFOLIA. (Theophrastaceae . ) 34122. Seeds from Trinidad, British West Indies. Presented by Mr. P. Carmody, Director, Department of Agriculture. "An evergreen tree attaining a height of ten to twelve feet, with orange colored flowers in drooping racemes three to four inches long on the trunk; leaves long-lanceolate, acute, spiny-toothed." (Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening.) For distribution later. DOVYALIS CAFFRA. (Flacourtiaceae . ) 34250. Seeds of the kei-apple from Saff, Egypt. Presented by Mr. Alfred Bircher, the Middle Egypt Botanic Gardens. "A small tree, twelve to thirty feet in height, often thornless when in tree form, but exceedingly thorny when kept cut as a hedge, for which purpose it Is much used, as it is impenetrable, and when once estab- lished stands drought remarkably well. Seeds soon lose vi- tality when kept dry, but germinate freely when fresh, and the plants are easily transplanted in the various nursery stages if not allowed to get a secure foothold, which they do rapid- ly. It does not succeed where frosts are regularly severe, but elsewhere requires to be cut twice a year to keep it in good hedge form, and makes a dense 5-feet hedge in five years. It stands cutting to any extent, and if a hedge has been al- lowed to make too much headway when young and becomes open be- low, it can be cut to the ground level and started afresh from the coppice shoots. Blanks in a hedge, if not too wide, can be remedied by interplaiting branches. The fruit is globose or depressed-globose, minutely velvety, 1 to 1^ inches in di- ameter, bright yellow, resembling an apricot, edible and used in preserves, but of too high flavor to be used alone. It is too sour for dessert use unless perfectly ripened under bright sunshine, and is sometimes attacked by the common peach mag- got." (Sim, Forest Flora of Cape Colony.) For distribution later. ERIOBOTRYA JAPONICA. (Malaceae.) 34119. Seeds of loquats from Rome, Italy. Presented by Dr. Gustav Eisen. "This ship- ment contains seeds of both the pear-shaped and apple-shaped loquats, of exceptional size, no fruit being less than two inches in diameter and some more. They are the best I have seen this year." (Eisen.) For distribution later. 586 GARDENIA THUNBERGIA. (Rublaceae.) 34167. Seeds from Durban, Natal. Presented by Dr. J. Medley Wood, Director, Durban Botanic Gardens. "A small much branched tree, eight to fifteen feet high, with smooth, white, unarmed stem up to nine inches in diameter. Leaves very variable. Flowers termi- nal, solitary, strongly scented, large, white and attractive. Fruit woody, very hard, oval or oblong, two to four inches long, two inches in diameter, many seeded, remaining on the trees for several years, increasing in size with age, and finally either smooth or roughened but usually white. The strongly scented white flower makes this a favorite garden flowering tree, and it is also used as a stock for grafting the double Gardenia florida upon. The wood is hard, heavy and strong, and used for making tools, etc." (Sim, Forest Flora of Cape Colony.) For distribution later. GOSSYPIUM SPP. (Malvaceae.) 34184-194. Seeds of cot- tons from Manila, Philippine Islands. Presented by Mr. M. M. Saleeby, Bureau of Agriculture. Eleven varieties of Philip- pine cottons sent in in response to requests for native varie- ties, all for use in breeding work. For distribution later. GREWIA ASIATICA. (Tiliaceae.) 34181. Seeds from Saff, Egypt. Presented by Mr. Alfred Bircher, the Middle Egypt Bo- tanic Gardens. A soft-wooded shrub or small tree producing a bast fiber much used in rope making. For distribution later. HYPHAENE SP. (Phoenicaceae . ) 34219. Seeds of the doum palm from Hamburg, Germany. Presented by Mr. Robert P. Skin- ner, American consul-general. Seeds imported to determine the possibility of securing large quantities of good quality doum palm seeds through the German importers of this seed for use in button-making. Immense quantities of seeds are imported through Hamburg to supply the button manufacturers of Germany with a cheap substitute for the vegetable ivory produced by the nuts of Phytelephas species. For distribution later. JUGLANS NIGRA. ( Juglandaceae . ) 34254. Walnuts from Sucre, Bolivia. Presented by Mr. Ernest F. Moore, British vice-consul. "Variety boliviensis. These are from the same species of walnut that grows in tropical Santa Cruz but were taVen from higher altitude, approximately 7500 feet and not more than one hundred miles from Sucre." (Moore.) For dis- tribution later. JUNIPERUS SPP. (Pinaceae.) 54140-145. Seeds of juni- pers from Novospassko, Russia. Presented by Mr. A. D. Voei- kov. Six species of juniper from Turkestan and Russia, some 587 of which may be of value for afforestation work in arid and semi-arid regions. For distribution later. KRAUSSIA FLORIBUNDA. (Rubiaceae.) 34169. Seeds from Durban, Natal. Presented by Dr. J. Medley Wood, Director, Durban Botanic Gardens. "A small tree up to 20 feet in height and one foot in diameter, with a fluted stem. Leaves ever- green. Fruit a small black berry. Wood heavy, hard, not used." (Sim, Forest Flora of Cape Colony.) For distribution later. MABA NATALENSIS. (Diospyraceae . ) 34170. Seeds from Durban, Natal. Presented by Dr. J. Medley Wood, Director, Durban Botanic Gardens. "A tree twenty to fifty feet high with very horizontal densely foliaged branches. Fruit one half inch in length, acorn-shaped in the green calyx cup, yel- low when ripe, rather succulent though hardly edible. Fre- quent on the coast throughout Natal. Usually on the sand dunes or behind them. Rarely large enough for the wood to be used as timber." (Sim, Forest Flora of Cape Colony.) Intro- duced as a possible stock for the various species of Diospy- ros, to which it is closely related. For distribution later. MANGIFERA INDICA. ( Anacardiaceae . ) 34199-205. Plants of mangos from Port Louis, Mauritius. Purchased from the Depart- ment of Forests and Gardens, through Mr. Gabriel Regnard. Seven varieties said to be the best grown in the island. For distribution later. MEDICAGO SPP. (Fabaceae.) 34147-151. Seeds of medicagos from Jerusalem, Palestine. Presented by Mr. E. F. Beaumont. Five species, some of which are very drought-resistant. For distribution later. OMPHALEA SP. (Euphorbiaceae . ) 34156. Seeds from Bocono, Colombia. Presented by Mr. W. 0. Wolcott, Brooklyn, N. Y. "I can give you no definite information about these nuts except what the natives told me, as I bought them in the town at the foot of the mountains and did not see the trees. The natives told me they grew high up in the mountains where it is quite cold, but not freezing, probably 7000 to 8000 feet or more, as Bocono where I got them is about 5000 feet. They say the trees grow quite large, 12 to 18 inches in diameter and 50 to 60 feet high, and are very prolific in nuts. They call the nuts by two names, Nueces (nuts), and Pan del pobre (poor people's bread). I have traveled for the last twenty years all over Venezuela and Colombia and have never seen them ex- cept at this one place. It 'rains a good deal in those moun- 588 tains for about six months of the year from April to September or October, but the rest of the year is dry. I got these last March just at the end of the season. I should judge they would make fine stock feed in meal; in fact, the natives eat them and told me they fatten their hogs on them finely as the shells are thin and very brittle. The meats appear to have much oil. I find them rather hard when dry. When I got them the meats were softer than chestnuts when first gathered." (Wolcott.) For distribution later. ORYZA SATIVA. (Poaceae.) 34220-249. Seeds of rice from Manila, Philippine Islands. Presented by Mr. F. W. Taylor, Director of Agriculture, through Mr. 0. W. Barrett, Chief, Division of Horticulture, Bureau of Agriculture. Thirty vari- eties, some of them yielding as much as two and a half tons per acre. For distribution later. PERSEA LINGUE. (Lauraceae.) 34157. Seeds of lingue from Santa Ines, Chile. Presented by Mr. Salvador Izquierdo. "This is a very valuable industrial forest tree of large size, hand- some, compact, evergreen, with glossy gray-green leaves and is an extra quick grower; here it is not a delicate plant but grows quickly in any soil that is wet or very moist, and also in water. The wood is light and tough like elm, but takes a very high finish. Its lumber is highly esteemed and is last- ing if protected from the wet; used for furniture, bodies and poles of carts, ox yokes, etc. The wood is the color of white ash, and when finished has a yellowish tinge. It takes any stain. Its bark is solely used for tanning and is largely ex- ported to Europe. Every station in the south is filled to overflowing with thousands of bags of broken bark awaiting transportation. The forests are being stripped, and in a very few years this tree will be very scarce. It is an extra beaut- iful shade tree. Its leaves are poisonous to animals, especi- ally sheep, who are very fond of them. Medicinally it is a pow- erful astringent." (Jose D. Husbands.) For distribution later. PHOENIX DACTYLIFERA. (Phoenicaceae . ) 34213. Offshoots of the Medjool date, received through Mr. Walter T. Swingle from Dr. L. Trabut , Government Botanist of Algeria, who se- cured them from the Er Reteb region, Tafilelt, Morocco through Si Mohammed ben Idris Fassi. "The Medjool date comes from the Tafilelt region in southeastern Morocco. It is the finest variety in the Tafilelt country but is unknown in America and comparatively little known in Europe, except in England and Spain, in both which countries it brings a higher price than any other date on the market, in spite of the fact that it 589 is almost never put up in attractive form but is sold in bulk. Dates of this variety can be found in practically every gro- cery in Spain where they are known as "Datiles de Berberia." The fruit is large, from two to two and a half inches long, and from three-fourths to one inch thick. It is semi-trans- lucent, dark brown in color, and has flesh rather firm in texture of a most delicious flavor. It is much darker in col- or than the Deglet Noor variety, and keeps much better. The dates always have the calyx attached to the stem end. This gift from the Service Botanique of the Algerian government to the Department of Agriculture marks an epoch in American date culture. These selected offshoots from the best locality in Tafilelt will not only show how this famous variety succeeds in the New World deserts, but will also make it possible to determine how truly it has been reproduced by the seedlings, some thousands of which are already growing in California." (Swingle.) For distribution later. PRUNUS SIBIRICA. ( Amygdalaceae . ) 34134. Seeds of a Prunus from Novospassko, Russia. Presented by Mr. A. D. Voei- kov. "A species of Prunus, closely related to the apricots, occurring in Eastern Siberia, Manchuria, and Mongolia. May be of value for breeding experiments." (Frank N. Meyer.) For distribution later. SCHEFFLERA ACTINOPHYLLA. (Araliaceae . ) 34123. Seeds of the "pinankaral" from Wellington Point, near Brisbane, Queens- land. Presented by Mr. James Pink. "This is best known as the Queensland umbrella tree, which is a truly descriptive term for the growth of the foliage. It grows 20 to 30 feet high and has flowers on a terminal spike." (Pink.) For dis- tribution later. STRYCHNOS GERRARDI . (Loganiaceae . ) 34161. Seeds of the quaqua from Mozambique, Portuguese East Africa. Presented by the Inspector of Agriculture. "A small tree, from three to ten metres high, v/ithout thorns and with exceedingly variable leaves. Fruit one-celled, globose, two to three inches in diameter, glaucous, glabrous, often spotted, with a hard shell, and numerous flat seeds lying in acidulous edible pulp." (Sim, Forest Flora of Portuguese East Africa.) For distribution later. TRITICUM SP. (Poaceae.) 34126. Wheat from La Guaira, Venezuela. Presented by Mr. Thomas W. Voetter, American con- sul. "The grower of this wheat stated that it came to Vene- zuela originally from the Canary Islands and that it has been found to be the best variety known here to resist dry weather. 590 The sample sent was from a field that was not irrigated and received no rainfall from the time of sowing until harvested." (Voetter.) For distribution later. TURRAEA OBTUSIFOLIA. (Meliaceae.) 34178. Seeds from Durban, Natal. Presented by Dr. J. Medley Wood, Director, Durban Botanic Gardens. "A free-flowering shrub, from three to five feet high, common on the dunes along the coast of Cape Colony and Natal. It is never large enough to be of economic value further than its use in holding fully exposed sea dunes; its showy flowers and seeds make it worthy of cultivation where it will grow." (Sim, Forest Flora of Cape Colony.) For distribution later. NOTES FROM FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS. INDIA. Saharanpur. Mr. A. C. Hartless, Superintendent of the Government Botanic Gardens, writes July 11 in regard to mangos: "I am not prepared to enter into the question of whether the mango has an existant wild progenitor or not. Botanists are themselves apparently not certain on this point. The study of mangos has chiefly been confined to what may be called cultivated varieties, but there are an enormous number of uncultivated varieties, that are called wild, but are not really so. Many of these are very good, although wanting in size as compared with the garden varieties. There is one aspect about these so-called wild mangos that has been gene- rally overlooked; that is the particular way in which their fruit can be utilized. By the natives nearly all are sucked and not the flesh eaten. I have this season tested many, and I was very much astonished to find out how pleasant and re- freshing they are, when sucked, much in the way a lemon would be. Their juice mixed with aerated waters makes a very de- licious and refreshing drink. To my mind for a country like America where such drinks are greatly appreciated, such a class of fruit would be a boon. The trees bear prodigiously, the fruit is easily sent long distances, and probably some method could be devised of keeping the juice for some time. In this line there are I think enormous possibilities. In addition you will have a very fine tree, that gives excellent shade and produces first class timber. Seed could be easily introduced, and when once the tree begins to fruit, it would soon propagate itself. It would take probably from 10 to 15 years before the plant would fruit. 591 This year being an excellent fruiting year, I have been studying mangos a good deal, and I am astonished to find such a large number of excellent varieties that are undoubtedly seedlings even amongst our garden kinds. With regard to your Inquiry about the number of stamens in a flower. I have not made a particular study of this point, but so far as my memory goes only one fertile stamen was observed to one flower. Climatic conditions at the time of flowering very largely influence pollinating. Some years a crop is completely destroyed by rain or cloudy weather at the time of flowering. This year I experimented with bagging the flowers in order to prevent cross fertilization; although some fruits set, yet they dropped off very soon. A light, dry, and airy time is needed at time of flowering to ensure successful pollinating, and no irrigation should be done at that time. Of the two varieties you mention I only know one, Mulgoa, this fruit is all right. I have never heard of a case where staminate flowers only are produced, although the inflorescen- ce is of course polygamous. There is one other point that I should like to bring to your notice, and that is our so called country Plums. . These are supposed to be varieties of Prunus domestica, var. insiti- tia. (Syn. P. Bokhariensis ) . These are supposed to have orig- inally come from Bokhara. They are a distinct class of fruit, many are excellent, but I can find no record of them being grown in any other country than India. You may probably have come across them elsewhere in your extensive travels, and must have noticed them when you were in India. I hope to make a detailed study of them next year." (Issued September 21, 1912.) , CASTANEA SP. Chinese chestnut. Young trees of this wild chestnut are growing in this country in areas affected by the chestnut bark disease (Dia- porthe parasitica Murr.) It is hoped that this species may be immune to this malady, which is killing out the native chest- nut trees of the country, and may prove a substitute for our species. Its nuts are of fair quality. ." — •- .' . v •••'••.* fn • - r- "' Li ^.T ^ \ - - f^ ~-^-- 593 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY, OFFICE OF FOREIGN SEED AND PLANT INTRODUCTION. NO. 80. BULLETIN OF FOREIGN PLANT INTRODUCTIONS. Aug. 16 to Sept. 30, 1912. NEW PLANT IMMIGRANTS. (NOTE: Applications for material listed in this bulletin may be made at any time to this Office. As they are received they are filed, and when the material is ready for the use of experimenters it is sent to those on the list of applicants who can show that they are prepared to care for it, as well as to others selected because of their special fitness to experiment with the particular plants imported. One of the main objects of the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction is to secure material for plant experiment- ers, and it will undertake as far as possible to fill any spe- cific requests for foreign seeds or plants from plant breeders and others interested.) GENERA REPRESENTED IN THIS NUMBER. Acacia Amerimnon Astronium Baryxylum Bischof ia Bromelia Caesalpinia Caryophyllus Celtis Corylus Dolichandra Echium Enterolobium Euchlaena 33913 33917 33922 34330 34263 33930 33933 34309 33938 34266 33953 34258 33955 34257 Eugenia Exogonium Gossypium Gourliea Orania Pancratium Phalocallis Piper Piptadenia Pittosporum Primula Prunus 33958 33961 34289 33970 34319 34260 33996-997 34327-328 34000-001 34306 34308 34264-265 34267-268 PLATE: Salix sp. 594 MATTER IN THIS BULLETIN IS NOT TO BE PUBLISHED WITHOUT SPECIAL PERMISSION. ACACIA MONILIFORMIS. (Mlmosaceae . ) 33913. Seeds of an acacia from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Presented by Dr. Carlos Thays , Director, Botanic Garden. "A low bushy yellow-flowered shrub found in the vicinity of Tucuman. The young poas are used as fodder for cattle." (Mueller, Select Extra-Tropical Plants.) For distribution later. AMERIMNON NIGRUM. (Fabaceae.) 33917. Seeds of the cav- iuna from Buenos Aires. Presented by Dr. Carlos Thays, Direc- tor, Botanic Garden. "A large Brazilian tree, furnishing the finest quality of rosewood." (Lindley, Treasury of Botany.) For distribution later. ASTRONIUM BALANSAE. ( Anacardihceae . ) Buenos Aires, Argentina. Presented by Director, Botanic Garden. A hard-wooded valued In northern Argentina and Paraguay, later. 33922. Seeds from Dr. Carlos Thays, timber tree, highly For distribution Seeds from Philippine Philippines It is ever- showy yellow the Malayan near the sea BARYXYLUM INERME. ( Caesalpiniaceae . ) 34330 Manila. Presented by Mr. E. D. Merrill, Botanist Bureau of Science. "This tree is a native of the and is one of the best shade trees that we have, green and bears large terminal panicles of very flowers. The species is of wide distribution in region, and in the Philippines grows in nature shore. It will certainly thrive in Cuba, Porto Rico, and Panama, and probably in southern Florida and southern Cali- fornia." (Merrill.) For distribution later. BISCHOFIA JAVANICA. (Euphorbiaceae . ) 34263. Seeds of the toog from Buitenzorg, Java. Presented by the Director, Department of Agriculture. "A tall tree, known as toog, with a fairly regular, unbuttressed short bole with a wide-spread- ing crown. It is intolerant of shade. The bark is dark brown, soft to the touch, shedding in thin large scales. The inner bark is red with a thin, dark-red latex. The leaves are alternate, trifoliate and smooth, with the edges of the leaf- lets toothed. The sapwood is light cream color, the heart- wood is red, moderately hard and moderately heavy." (Whit- ford, Forests of the Philippines.) A beautiful specimen which has been identified as this species, now 40 feet high, is growing at Reasoner Brothers' Nursery, Oneco, Florida. For distribution later. 595 BROMELIA CARAGUATA. (Bromeliaceae . ) 33930. Seeds of the caraguata from Buenos Aires. Presented by Dr. Carlos Thays, Director, Botanic Garden. An Argentine fibre plant the fibre from which is used in making the famous nandutl lace of Para- guay. It is also used for cordage, and rope made from the fi- bre in some rough tests has compared well with German manila rope. For distribution later. CAESALPINIA MELANOCARPA. (Caesalpiniaceae . ) 33933. Seeds from Buenos Aires. Presented by Dr. Carlos Thays, Director, Botanic Garden. "A stout bushy-topped leguminous tree found in the woods in the vicinity of Tucuman in Argentina. The fruits contain considerable tannin, and the hard, almost black wood is used for building wagons and for framing houses." (Venturi, Trees of Argentina.) For distribution later. CARYOPHYLLUS SP. (Myrtaceae.) 34309. Seeds from Para- guay. Presented by Mr. C. F. Mead. "In Guarany, this fruit is called Ywapuru. I have never seen it in any place except in the woods in the district between Sapucay and Asuncion, nor can I find any mention of it in botanical books. It grows in bush form to a height of about two meters, the fruit which is about the size and coloring of a dark red plum, being borne in clusters about the main stalks. I have never tasted the fruit but it is very highly spoken of by natives here." (Mead.) For distribution later. CELTIS TALA. (Ulmaceae.) 33938. Seeds from Buenos Aires. Presented by Dr. Carlos Thays, Director, Botanic Garden. "A thorny tall shrub or small tree, suitable for hedges and street-planting, found in the lower part of the valley of La Plata in Argentina and Uruguay." (Venturi, Trees of Argen- tina.) For distribution later. CORYLUS AVELLANA. (Betulaceae . ) 34266. Seeds of a fil- bert from Boscotrecase, near Naples, Italy. Presented by Dr. Gustav Eisen, San Francisco, Cal. "This San Giovanni filbert is the earliest filbert known in this part of Italy, ripening by June 24th. Of very good quality, though not as highly fla- vored as the wild nut, but remarkably well filled and solid. Valuable on account of its earliness." (Eisen.) For distri- bution later. DOLICHANDRA CYNANCHOIDES. (Bignoniaceae . ) 33953. Seeds from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Presented by Dr. Carlos Thays, Director, Botanic Garden. "A shrubby vine with trumpet-shaped, reddish-purple flowers found in the extra-tropical forests of Brazil." (Lindley, Treasury of Botany.) For distribution later. 596 ECHIUM BOURGEANUM. (Borraginaceae . ) 34258. Seeds from Teneriffe, Canary Islands. Presented by Dr. George V. Perez, Puerto Orotava. "A very striking Teneriffe alpine plant grow- ing at the Canadas on its rocky walls at an elevation above sea level of between 8000 and 9000 feet. It throws up in the second year a single thyrse of beautiful pink flowers. I have just had one in flower 3-g meters high(ll feet, eight inches.) It may turn out to be a valuable fodder plant in southern California, as goats are very fond of it. Its rosette of leaves is more than a yard across." (Perez.) For distribu- tion later. ECHIUM CANDICANS x SIMPLEX. (Borraginaceae.) 34259. Seeds from Teneriffe, Canary Islands. Presented by Dr. George V. Perez, Puerto Orotava. "A new hybrid obtained this year by the writer. The thyrse is light blue. It is a beautiful plant." (Perez.) For distribution later. ENTEROLOBIUM CONTORTISILIQUUM. (Mimosaceae . ) 33955. Seeds of the timbo from Buenos Aires. Presented by Dr. Carlos Thays , Director, Botanic Garden. "A large leguminous timber tree, found in Paraguay. It is often planted as a street tree, the wood is much used in carpentry, and the fruits, called 'orejas de negro,' are used to remove spots from lin- en." (Venturi, Trees of Argentina.) For distribution later. EUCHLAENA MEXICANA. (Poaceae.) 34257. Seeds of teosin- te from Durango, Mexico. Presented by Mr. T. C. Hamm, Ameri- can consul, who obtained it from Dr. H. W. Jackson. "The plant known as teosinte or asese which is supposed to be the antecedent of common maize grows in some parts of the State of Durango. The plant occurs in a wild state, only one attempt so far as I have been able to learn having been made to culti- vate it. Two or three years ago a Mexican ranchman gathered a quantity of the seed which he planted as a forage crop, with most excellent results. The plant flowers in the month of July and matures in November. The height attained by the plant varies greatly according to soil, climatic conditions, etc., the full grown plant running from about fifty to seven- ty five inches in height in this state. The teosinte closely resembles the common maize in its earlier stages, but becomes much more bushy as it develops, due to the large number of suckers thrown out by the parent stalk. The leaf is very simi- lar to that of the maize in all stages of its development. A single stalk of teosinte will have from ten to fifteen ears, which, unless the teosinte has mixed with maize, have practic- ally no cob or core. The reason why little or no use is made of this valuable plant is that when planted near corn it read- 597 ily crosses with the latter and spoils the corn crop, which is the staple agricultural crop of this district. It is reported that the natives have made 'tortillas' from the ground seed of the teosinte, but such instances are very rare." (Hamm. ) For distribution later. EUGENIA MATO. (Myrtaceae.) 33958. Seeds of a Eugenia from Buenos Aires. Presented by Dr. Carlos Thays, Director, Botanic Garden. "A tree with edible fruits, forming the prin- cipal part of the forests in the vicinity of Tucuman in Argen- tina." (Venturi, Trees of Argentina.) For distribution later. EUGENIA PUNGENS. (Myrtaceae.) 33959. Seeds from Buenos Aires. Presented by Dr. Carlos Thays, Director, Botanic Garden. A hard-wooded tree, from the province of Sao Paulo, Brazil, which bears edible fruits. For distribution later. EXOGONIUM PURGA. ( Convolvulaceae . ) 33961. Seeds of the jalap from Buenos Aires. Presented by Dr. Carlos Thays, Director, Botanic Garden. "A Mexican climbing plant, with salver-shaped purplish flowers, which furnishes the true jalap tubers of commerce. These are roundish, of variable size, the largest being about as large as an orange, and of a dark col- or. They owe their well-known purgative properties to their resinous ingredients, and hence worm-eaten tubers are more valued than sound ones, as the insects eat the farinaceous and woody portions of the tuber and leave the resin." (Masters, in Lindley, Treasury of Botany.) For distribution later. GOSSYPIUM HIRSUTUM. (Malvaceae.) 34289. Seeds of Cam- bodian cotton from Coimbatore, India. Presented by R. Cecil Wood, Esq., President Agricultural College, through Mr. C. V. Piper. "This cotton has a close resemblance to the American Upland type and has been looked upon as an American cotton that has been acclimatized in Cambodia, though this may not prove to be the case. There is historical evidence of the introduction of a superior type of cotton from Siam to Louisi- ana in early days, and this may have been the origin of the long staple varieties formerly grown so extensively in the Delta regions of Louisiana and Mississippi. Thus the Cambodia cotton may prove to be related to the American long staple type. A variety of Upland cotton from Cochin China was stud- ied in Egypt in 1910, which may prove to be similar to the present importation. An account of this cotton was published in Bulletin No. 210 of this Bureau series under the title Hindi Cotton in Egypt. The Cambodia cotton has been grown for a few years in southern India and has given much better 598 than any variety introduced from America. An account of the experiments in India was published in the Daily Consular and Trade Reports, December 7, 1910." (0. F. Cook.) For distri- bution later. GOURLIEA DECORTICANS. (Fabaceae.) 33970. Seeds of the chanar from Buenos Aires. Presented by Dr. Carlos Thays, Director, Botanic Gardens. A shrubby legume often forming a small tree having fleshy pods with a single seed and a small yellow pea-like flower. The pulp of the fleshy pods is used to flavor wines in Buenos Aires and is a favorite fruit of the Argentines. For distribution later. ORANIA REGALIS. ( Phoenicaceae . ) 34319. Seeds of a palm from Manila. Presented by Mr. 0. W. Barrett, Chief, Division of Horticulture, Philippine Bureau of Agriculture. "A rare palm of the Philippines, rather closely related, I believe, to the coconut, and which, I believe, would make an interesting greenhouse plant; it should also make a good ornamental for southern Florida, Porto Rico and Cuba." (Barrett.) For dis- tribution later. PANCRATIUM CANARIENSE. (Amaryllidaceae . ) 34260. Seeds from Teneriffe, Canary Islands. Presented by Dr. George V. Perez, Puerto Orotava. A bulbous plant with iris-like leaves and umbels of large white flowers, found in the Canary Islands. For distribution later. PHALOCALLIS SPP. (Iridaceae.) 33996-997. Seeds from Buenos Aires. Presented by Dr. Carlos Thays, Director, Botan- ic Garden. Two perennials of the iris family, commonly known as Cypella spp. having yellow flowers, and occurring in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. For distribution later. PIPER CHABA. (Piperaceae. ) 34328. Seeds of the chaba from the Jardin Colonial, Nogent sur Marne , France. Presented by the Director, Mr. E. Prudhomme. "A native of the Moluccas, cultivated in India for its fruit, the chaba of Indian medi- cine. The wood and root are used in Bengal for dyeing and give a pale brown on cotton if used alone, but mixed with Caesalpinia sappan, a brownish-red." (Watt, Commercial pro- ducts of India.) For distribution later. PIPER CUBEBA. (Piperaceae.) 34327. Seeds of the cubeb pepper from the Jardin Colonial, Nogent sur Marne, France. Presented by the Director, Mr. E. Prudhomme. "The cubebs of commerce, which are of importance chiefly in medicine, are the berries of a species of pepper-vine, easily distinguished from 599 the ordinary pepper by the stalked and larger berries or 'corns.' The plant is a native of Java, Sumatra , etc., and thrives under similar conditions as pepper, requiring live or rtificial supports and a certain amount of shade. The world's supply of cubebs is obtained chiefly from Java, where the plant is cultivated. The plants are best propagated by cut- tings taken from among the top or fruitful shoots, such plants being more productive than those taken from near the base." (MacMillan, Handbook of Tropical Gardening.) For distribution later. PIPTADENIA SPP. (Mimosaceae. ) 34000-001. Seeds from Buenos Aires. Presented by Dr. Carlos Thays , Director, Botan- ic Garden. Two trees forming large forests in Argentina, one furnishing the angico-gum somewhat similar to gum-arabic, and both rich in tannin, the bark sometimes running 40 per cent. For distribution later. PITTOSPORUM EUGENIOIDES. (Pi ttosporaceae . ) 34306. Seeds of the tarata from the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, Scot- land. Presented by Prof. Bayley Balfour, Director. "A beau- tiful New Zealand tree whose pale-green leaves with undulating margins, emit, when bruised, a lemon-like odor. The delicate venation and light-colored, almost white, midrib add to the beauty of the leaf. The Maoris mixed the resinous exudation from the bark with the juice of the sow-thistle, and worked it into a ball, which they chewed. In October the tree produces masses of yellowish-green flowers, whose heavy honied odor is almost sickly in its intensity. According to Mr. G. M. Thom- son, the plant is probably often self pollinated; but Mr. Kirk points out in his Forest Flora, that, though stamens and pis- tils are always present, one or other is often abortive, so that the flowers are often practically unisexual. The wood of this species, like that of the other species of the genus, is almost worthless. The tree is often cultivated for its beauty, and is sometimes - though not so often as P. tenuifolium - used to form an ornamental hedge." (Laing and Blackwell, Plants of New Zealand.) For distribution later. PRIMULA FORRESTII. ( Primulaceae . ) 34308. Seeds of a primrose from the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, Scotland. Presented by Prof. Bayley Balfour, Director. "This primrose from southwestern China grows to a height of 3 feet, has a woody rootstock, and deep yellow flowers with an orange eye. Both flowers and foliage are fragrant. First collected by Mr. George Forrest, who found them growing pendulous from dry, shady crevices of limestone cliffs on the eastern flank of the Lichiang Range, northwestern Yunnan, at an altitude of from 600 9000 to 11000 feet." (Forrest, Primulaceae from western Yunnan.) For distribution later. PRUNUS ARMENIACA. ( Amygdalaceae . ) 34264-265. Seeds of apricots from Rome. Presented by Dr. Gustav Eisen, San Fran- cisco, Calif. 34264. "These seeds were procured in a restau- rant ir. Rome. Locality not known. This variety is probably the finest apricot I have tasted, being larger than our aver- age Moorpark, globular but with apex characteristically point- ed, the point being short but very acute and set off suddenly and distinctly. Ripe evenly all around. Very sweet and high- ly flavored. Color deep orange." For distribution later. PRUNUS DOMESTICA. (Amygdalaceae.) 34267-268. Seeds of plums from Rome. Presented by Dr. Gustav Eisen, San Francis- co, Calif. 34267. "Papagone. Average 2£ inches long by 1| inches wide. Largest 2f to even 3 inches long by If inches wide. Elongated ovoid. Greenish yellow, with darker green on shaded side. Stalk a short half inch or less long. Fine grey bloom. Very thin and smooth skin. Seed very thin pitted, sulcate edge and remarkably small for the size of the fruit. Flesh firm, sweet and highly flavored, adhering slightly to the stone." 34268. "Prune called Prunaringia grown near Naples. The name may also, and more properly be spelled Prunarigno or Prunarignia, and I am told that possibly it means Prune of India, though I prefer to think that the name in some way refers to the main characteristic of the fruit; one or two vertical cracks, 'rigno,' when the fruit is fuljy ripe. In size this prune or plum resembles the Papagone but is more irregular. General shape like Papagone but the color is deeper green. Very sweet and even more flavored, but the value of this splendid plum is lowered by the fact that when ripe it always possesses one or two vertical splits on the cheek. Thus it does not present the same fine appearance as the Fapagone and could not stand long shipment. But for can- ning and preserves this plum should be excellent. The seed in proportion to the fruit is considerably larger than the Papagone but somewhat similar in shape; thin and oblong but less curved than in that fruit. Both ripen at about the same time and are at the height of perfection at Boscotrecase by August 1." (Eisen.) For distribution later. NOTES FROM FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS. AFRICA. Southern Nigeria. Mr. Frank Evans writes under date of August 16, 1912. "After leaving Honolulu in April 1911, I took a trip around the Orient, visiting and studying 601 agricultural methods and conditions in Japan, Malay States, Java, Ceylon and Egypt, and then returned to the Trinidad Department for a month or two and have now been appointed Superintendent of Agriculture in the Eastern Province of Southern Nigeria. There is good work to be done here, but it is chiefly of a pioneer character. I only arrived four days ago and as soon as I get settled down, I will ask your aid in obtaining seed of useful economic plants and in return will send you seeds of economic Nigerian plants. Like all West African coast places this climate is bad and I don't suppose I shall be able to stand it for very long, but the experience is interesting and should be useful." CHINA. Szechuan, Kwan hsien. Mr. H. J. Openshaw writes under date of August 8, 1912; "we were able to 'stand by the ship' right through all the turmoil of revolution. Our city was beseged twice and all 'shot up'. I jumped in and became 'Surgeon General' etc. and really did a lot of good work car- ing for the sick and wounded. We are on the mountain for a rest and change. It is very delightful; we are really avoid- ing a hot Chinese summer. My, but a Chinese city with its walls and crowds can be HOT. To the East we look out on the great Chentu plain, now laden with a heavy rice crop; while to the West we see range after range of mountains with the snow peaks of Thibet for a background . Szechuan seems slowly getting back to normal. Funds were short and a lot of paper money was issued, of which business men are scarey. The Thibetans are in revolt and have captured several border cities, but a large force of soldiers have gone forward and it is hoped Thibet will come back into line. In the past she has fared ill at the hands of the Chinese and takes this opportunity to protest." (Issued: Nov. 11, 1912 SALIX SP. Globular-headed willow. S. P. I. No. 17737. A remarkable Chinese willow, with a dense, naturally flattened globular head, collected by Mr. Frank N. Meyer at Scha-ho-schonn, northern China. The small insert shows the trees as they appear in winter in their native country, while the large photograph shows one of several specimens which are growing in the grounds of the City Cemetery at Chico, Cali- fornia. They were grown from cuttings sent in by Mr. Meyer in March, 1906. This exceedingly handsome tree is growing along an old swale where it seems to thrive with a minimum amount of water, and on August 13, 1912, when photographed it was about 20 feet high, with a spread of about 30 feet, and its trunk was about 47 inches in circumference. Prom photos by Messrs. Frank N. Meyer and P. H. Dorsett, respectively. . • . - • g 617 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY, OFFICE OF FOREIGN SEED AND PLANT INTRODUCTION. NO. 82. BULLETIN OF FOREIGN PLANT INTRODUCTIONS. December 1, 1912, to January 15, 1913. NEW PLANT IMMIGRANTS. (NOTE: Applications for material listed in this bulletin may be made at any time to this Office. As they are received they are filed, and when the material is ready for the use of experimenters it is sent to those on the list of applicants who can show that they are prepared to care for it, as well as to others selected because of their special fitness to experiment with the particular plants imported. One of the main objects of the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction is to secure material for plant experiment- ers, and it will undertake as far as possible to fill any spe- cific requests for foreign seeds or plants from plant breeders and others interested.) GENERA REPRESENTED IN THIS NUMBER. Acanthophoenix Antidesma Archontophoenix Argania Canarium Canavali Clianthus Curcuma Diospyros Eucalyptus 34725-726 34691 34695 34738 34667 34694 34705-709 34716 34773 34697 34711 34713 34661 Faradaya Gaultheria Jatropha Metrosideros Momordica Nicotiana Osterdamia Pasania Persea Pittosporum Populus Quercus 34696 34718-719 34714 34715 34692 34752-754 34657 34642 34698 34722 34789-801 34710 PLATE: Quercus suber. 618 MATTER IN THIS BULLETIN IS NOT TO BE PUBLISHED WITHOUT SPECIAL PERMISSION. ACANTHOPHOENIX SPP. ( Phoenicaceae . ) 34725-726. Seeds of palms from Port Louis, Mauritius. Presented by Mr. G. Regnard. Prickly palms, one of which, A. rubra, is said to have proved hardy in Florida, and to grow to a height of 60 feet. The up- per rings of the stem are bright red. For distribution later. ANTIDESMA BUNIUS . (Euphorbiaceae . ) 34691. Seeds of the bignay from Manila, Philippine Islands. Presented by Mr. 0. W. Barrett, Chief, Division of Horticulture, Bureau of Agri- culture. "A small handsome tree, dioecious, with simple, dark green, leathery leaves. The fruit is small, dark red, sweet, subacid in flavor, and produced in long racemes like the cur- rant, and may be eaten raw or made into jelly." (Barrett.) For distribution later. ANTIDESMA NITIDUM. (Euphorbiaceae.) 34695. Seeds from Los Banos, Philippine Islands. Presented by Mr. C. F. Baker, College of Agriculture, University of the Philippines. "One of the finest local shrubs, of good shape and covered with great numbers of pendant clusters of small berries which are long, bright red, finally black, and which are edible. This should make an Important addition to ornamental shrubs for warm countries." (Baker.) For distribution later. ARCHONTOPHOENIX ALEXANDRAE. (Phoenicaceae.) 34738. Seeds of the Alexandra palm received from Lawang, Java. Presented by M. Buysmann. "The wood of this Queensland palm is beauti- fully marked, and is much in favor for walking sticks, the outer portion being cut into suitable thickness for this pur- pose. It grows to a height of 70 or 80 feet." (Maiden, Useful native plants of Australia.) For distribution later. ARGANIA SPINOSA. ( Sapotaceae . ) 34667. Seeds of the argan from Tangier, Morocco. Presented by Mr. Maxwell Blake, American-Consul General. "The argan is a small tree with the appearance of the olive, and rarely exceeding 5 meters in height. Its young shoots are spiny and its leaves persistant. Its fruit is an ovoid drupe, greenish yellow, containing generally one but sometimes from 1 to 4, seeds, with a white kernel which yields 51.25 percent of a non-drying sweet oil, very much esteemed by the inhabitants of Morocco. The produc- tion of argan oil, in good years, according to M. Gentil, amounts to about 7,500,000 pounds, almost entirely used locally." (Capus and Bois, Produits Coloniaux.) For distri- bution later. 619 CANARIUM SP. (Balsameaceae. ) 34694. Seeds of the pill nut from Manila, Philippine Islands. Presented by Mr. 0. W. Barrett, Chief, Division of Horticulture, Bureau of Agricul- ture. "A large tree indigenous to the Philippines, that pro- duces an edible nut of excellent quality. There are two spe- cies, C. ovatum and C. pachyphyllum, the nuts of which are very similar to each other. It is impossible, not having seen the tree from which the nuts were obtained, to say to which species the nuts belong which are being sent to you. Pili nuts are to some extent cultivated in southeastern Luzon inter- planted with coconuts." (Barrett.) For distribution later. CANAVALI SPP. (Fabaceae.) 34705-709. Seeds from Miami , Florida. Grown by Mr. Edward Simmonds at the Plant Introduc- tion Field Station. "This seed was received in 1908 from Mr. J. S. Houser of the Cuban Experiment Station. It has proven very satisfactory as a green manure crop at Miami, the plants continuing to grow throughout the winter season." (Simmonds.) For a discusson of two of the species of this genus, see Mr. C. V. Piper's "The Jack Bean and the Sword Bean" in Miscel- laneous papers, Circular No. 110, Bureau of Plant Industry, just published. For distribution later. CLIANTHUS PUNICEUS. (Fabaceae.) 34716. Seeds of the kowhai from Wellington, New Zealand. Presented by Mr. G. J. Clapham, Public Works Department. "A white-flowered form of the kowhai, which in its scarlet-flowered form is one of the most gorgeous of New Zealand flowering plants. With its flowers two inches in length in long pendulous racemes and its heavy, dark-green glossy pinnate leaves it should prove a de- sirable addition to the drooping shrubs suitable for growing in regions having but slight frosts. The flowers are said to be pollinated by birds in its native haunts." (Blackwell and Laing, Plants of New Zealand.) For distribution later. CURCUMA LONGA. ( Zinziberaceae . ) 34773. Roots of turmeric from Usumbwa, German East Africa. Presented by the Usumbwa Company, Post Tabora, Usumbwa. "Resembles ginger in the nature and form of its rhizomes and rounded tubers, but larger and shorter. In commerce they are separated into longs and rounds. In India much of the turmeric is used for dyeing silk, because the tuber contains a starch associated with a coloring matter (curcumine), of a beautiful orange yellow. Because of its essential aromatic oil it is used as a condi- ment in the Far East and especially in the manufacture of curry. Many tribes of Polynesia use it to stain their bodies and their hair. Curcuma is known still in the spice trade under the name of Indian saffron, and in the West Indies. 620 under that of coolie saffron." (Capus and Bois, Les Produits Coloniaux.) For distribution later. DIOSPYROS KAKI. (Diospyraceae . ) 34697. Cuttings of persimmon from Seoul, Korea. Presented by the American Consul- General, Mr. George H. Scidmore. "A hardy persimmon tree growing in the compound of this Consulate General, of the 'sheep nose1 variety, said to have such good keeping quali- ties as to keep until a late Easter." (Scidmore). For distri- bution later. DIOSPYROS KAKI. (Diospyraceae.) 34711. Cuttings of persimmon from Canton, China. Presented by Mr. G. Weidman Groff, Canton Christian College. "Taai Hung T'sz. Large red persimmon. This is decidedly the largest and sweetest per- simmon I have ever seen. It does not have any of that astringent taste so common to the persimmon. It is very high- ly cultivated; rarely do you find a seed. The skin is thin and of a deep red color. Fruit that I have had on my own table of this variety measures eight inches around at its greatest circumference." (Groff.) For distribution later. DIOSPYROS SP. (Diospyraceae.) 34713. Cuttings of a persimmon from Canton, China. Presented by Mr. G. Weidman Groff, Canton Christian College. "Kaai Sam T'sz. Chicken Hearted Persimmon. This is a rather inferior persimmon not commonly sold on the markets. The fruits are about the size and shape of a small egg and very difficult to ripen. A com- mon method employed by the Chinese for ripening this fruit is to cover them over with the leaves of the bastard banyan tree for several days; of course we do not have frost here. This persimmon is used as the stock on which to graft the finer varieties." (Groff.) For distribution later. EUCALYPTUS TRABUTI . (Myrtaceae.) 34661. Seeds of a hybrid Eucalyptus from Algiers, Algeria. Presented by Dr. L. Trabut , Director, Service Botanique. A hybrid found by Dr. Trabut in sowing seeds of Eucalyptus botryoides which stood near a Eucalyptus rostrata. Always tends to revert toward the male parent. It is the first undoubted Eucalyptus hybrid, and the existence of hybrids in this genus has been denied by Baron Ferdinand von Muller. This hybrid is one of the most vigorous of the genus, and in a nursery row at the Mustapha Experiment Station has crowded out the pure species. For distribution later. FARADAYA SPLENDIDA. ( Verbenac-ae . ) Presented by Mr. William Soutter, secretary and manager, Queensland Acclimati- 621 sation Society. "A very handsome climber, native of the more tropical regions of Queensland. The outer bark of the plant is used by the natives for stupefying fish. The green bark is tied in small bundles, weighted with a stone and dropped into holes where fish abound, the fish immediately becoming affect- ed and rising to the surface where they are easily caught." (Soutter.) For distribution later. GAULTHERIA SPP. (Ericaceae.) 34718-719. Seeds from Wellington, New Zealand. Presented by Mr. G. J. Clapham, Public Works Department. "The Gaultherias are the most at- tractive of the native New Zealand heaths with tiny white bell-shaped flowers." (Blackwell and Laing, Plants of New Zealand.) For distribution later. JATROPHA CURCAS. ( Euphorbiaceae . ) 34714. Seeds from Tampico, Mexico. Presented by Mr. Thomas H. Bevan, American Vice-Consul in Charge. "A shrub about the size of a hazel nut bush, with a trunk from six inches to a foot in diameter. Its production is most prolific, the limbs often breaking off from the weight of the nuts. The nuts when first taken from the husks have a dark brown luster, which becomes opaque after be- ing exposed to the air for a few days. When first taken from the tree they have a taste not at all unlike that of the fresh chestnut. They are said to contain about fifty percent of oil, which can be extracted and used for cooking, the same as cotton seed oil. These nuts can be seen growing in the yards of nearly all the Mexican houses in the outskirts of Tampico. The Mexicans prefer them to peanuts maintaining that their flavor is much more delicate. Along the narrow strip of land between the Tuxpam canal and the Gulf of Mexico in the State of Veracruz, they grow wild by the millions, and apparently thrive better in their native state growing in the sand dunes, than in the rich land in the valley of the Panuco." (Bevan.) Various botanists have described the oil as resembling that of the castor bean in its action so that due care should be taken in eating the seeds of this plant. For distribution later. METROSIDEROS TOMENTOSA. (Myrtaceae.) 34715. Seeds of the pohutukawa from Wellington, New Zealand. Presented by Mr. G. J. Clapham, Public Works Department. "This handsome tree, sometimes 70 feet in height with spreading branches and bril- liant scarlet flowers in large terminal cymes rarely grows far from the sea or an inland lake. It finds a foothold in all sorts of impossible looking places. Often it clings to the side of a cliff, and puts forth long twisted roots that attach it to the rocky wall. Specimens may frequently be found hang- 622 ing from the top of a bank, with the roots above, and the branches almost dipping into the sea below. When growing on level ground, great bunches of red fibrous rootlets may occasionally be seen hanging from the boughs. These do not reach the ground and their function is unknown. The timber is extremely hard and durable." (Blackwell and Laing, Plants of New Zealand.) For distribution later. MOMORDICA COCHINCHINENSIS. ( Cucurbitaceae . ) 34692. Seeds from Manila, Philippine Islands. Presented by Mr. 0. W. Barrett, Chief, Division of Horticulture, Bureau of Agricul- ture. "An attractive climber of medium vigorous growth, bear- ing roundish oblong fruits a little larger than an orange, having short orange colored spines." (Barrett.) For distri- bution later. NICOTIANA RUSTICA. ( Solanaceae . ) 34752-754. Seeds of tobacco from Scafati, Italy. Presented by Mr. A. Splendore, Director, Royal Experimental Institute for the cultivation of tobacco. "These Nicotiana rusticas, abundantly fertilized with night-soil (from cess pools or pits) may yield up to 30 or more quintals (3000 Ibs.) of leaves per hectare (2^ acres) with a nicotine content of over 10 percent in our climate." (Splendore.) Introduced for the use of tobacco growers inter- ested in the increasing of the nicotine content for nicotine production. For distribution later. nSTERDAMIA MATRELLA . (Poaceae.) 34657. Seeds of Manila grass from the Philippine Islands. Procured by Mr. C. V. Piper, in charge of Forage Crop Investigations. "This grass is abundant on or near the seashore in the Philippine Islands. Where closely clipped it makes a beautiful lawn. The Luneta in Manila some years ago was planted to Bermuda grass, but at the present time more than 90 percent of the grass is this Osterdamia, which has gradually displaced the Bermuda which it closely resembles in habit and appearance. The grass has un- usual promise as a lawn grass, especially near the Gulf Coast and the Atlantic Coast of Florida." (Piper.) For distribu- tion later. PASANIA CUSPIDATA. (Fagaceae.) 34642. Seeds of an ever- green oak from Yokohama, Japan. Purchased from the Yokohama Nursery Company. An evergreen oak, growing to immense size but also used as a hedge shrub. Promises to be hardy as far north as Norfolk. The small-sized acorns, borne in bunches, have a sweet taste, and are eaten boiled or roasted like chestnuts. For distribution later. 623 PERSEA AMERICANA. (Lauraceae.) 34698. Seeds of avocado from Rome, Italy. Presented by Dr. Gustav Elsen. "The tree in question is in all probability about 100 years old and, though I do not know for certain, I think it likely to have been im- ported from Mexico by, or at least at the time of, Valadier, the French gardener and architect, who in the beginning of the nineteenth century arranged the Pincio garden. The tree is growing there in perfect vigor and health. Perhaps about forty feet high and the trunk several feet in diameter. The variety is one which I have never seen on the Pacific Coast of Mexico or Central America. The fruit being 3| inches long by 2\ inches wide, pear-shaped, that is, tapering toward the stalk end. This year there were 100 fruits or over, all arriving at perfect maturity in October and November, the last ones being picked about November 15. The earlier fruits are larger and may average from ^ inch to 1 inch more than the size given above, which refers to the late fruits. In quality this fruit is equal to the very best that I have eaten in Guatemala and Mexico, and is of exquisite flavor. The seed is perfectly round, pale yellow brown and evidently perfectly developed. The variety is also characterized by its pre- cocity, ripening before frost. It will succeed, without any doubt, in most parts of California, Arizona, southern Texas, the Gulf States generally, in a word in any territory extend- ing from the northern limit of the hardiest orange southward, that means San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys, in California, the Coast Range, etc. Introduced to this territory the tree would prove of immense value and would enter at once into active competition with the Mexican and Island avocados now imported and sold at a prohibitive price." (Eisen. ) As the temperatures in Rome average from 44.6° F. to 76.1°, with an absolute minumum of 17.2° F. , it will be seen that this tree has considerable promise. However its location may be a very sheltered one, and Dr. Eisen's optimistic report may have to be modified considerably after tests in this country. For distribution later. PITTOSPORUM RALPHII. ( Pi t tosporaceae . ) 34722. Seeds from Wellington, New Zealand. Presented by Mr. G. J. Clap- ham, Public Works Department. "A beautiful, somewhat laxly branched shrub 15 to 20 feet in height, found in the central district of the North Island of New Zealand. Its dark-crimson fascicled little flower bells with their slightly emergent yellow anther tips, resting on the downy white young foliage, make it, when in bloom, one of the most attractive of the large New Zealand shrubs." (Blackwell and Laing, Plants of New Zealand.) For distribution later . 624 POPULUS SPP. (Salicaceae. ) 34789-801. Plants of poplars from Novospassko, Russia. Purchased from Mr. A. Woeikov. Thirteen species of poplars, all of which are reputed to be of especial hardiness, and several of which are extremely ornamental and more or less resistant to drought and alkali. For distribution later. QUERCUS SUBER. (Fagaceae.) 34710. Acorns of cork oak from North Augusta, S. C. Presented by Dr. W. B. Mealing. "Collected from trees presumably sent out by the Patent Office before the Department of Agriculture was established." (Mr. Peter Bisset, at whose request they were presented.) For distribution later. See plate. NOTES FROM FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS. BRITISH GUIANA. Georgetown. Mr. Jas . S. Ogilvie writes that sc far he has been unable to procure for us the flowers, leaves and fruit of the different poison plants we wanted. He hopes to be able to get at least one blotter through about next March. Mr. 7. A. Stockdale, formerly assistant Director of Agri- culture and Government Botanist, has accepted the position of Director of Agriculture of Mauritius. CHINA. Szechuan. Chentu. Philip Hofman writes August 28: "This is the season of the persimmon out here and if you have ever tasted good Chinese seedless persimmons I know that your mouth will water for them. There are several varieties of the persimmon in West China. At present we are enjoying the red peach shaped variety, and later will come larger square shaped and large tomato shaped kinds. I have also eaten a variety that is very hard to the feel but quite as de- licious as the mushy varieties. One eats these like apples rather than like cantaloupes with a spoon." CHINA. Yunnan. Mr. A.K. Bulley writes from Liverpool, England, that Mr. George Forrest, who has been collecting al- pines in Yunnan for an English amateur has been driven back from Teng Guch to Bhamo . Mr. F. Kingdon Ward goes out for Bees Ltd. (Mr. A. K. Bulley) next spring, but "Heaven only knows where! " JAPAN. From the American Consulate General, Seoul, Korea (Chosen), Miss Eliza R. Scidmore, collaborator, reports as follows on Japanese beans and bean candies and jellies: As mameya or bean shops, are more numerous in the streets 625 of Japanese towns than shops of any other kind, it proves that this vegetable is the most common and popular single article of food after rice. It is also much cheaper, and besides be- ing recognized as a strong or nourishing food, it is con- sidered a good luck food. If eaten at the first meal of the day, and on the first day of the year, the lucky beans will ensure strength and good luck for the day and the year. From the beginning of the modern era the people have been exhorted to grow and eat more beans and less rice. It was the Japanese who first appreciated the value and the trade possibilities of the more prolific soya bean of Manchuria and developed the great export trade in that article. Eighteen kinds of mame are sold in the large wholesale shops, many of them varieties and qualities of the same bean. Dried peas are classed with beans and sold in the same shops, and are also cooked with sugar and sold as sweets. Besides cooking them with sugar and sweet shoyu, the boiled beans are made into neru, or sweet paste, and yokan or jelly, which are the base of three-fourths of all the sweets sold by confec- tioners . The small red adzuki bean (S. P. I. No. 34643) is the one most used for these pastes and jellies, the white adzuki (S. P. I. No. 34644) only affording a color contrast and serving as a medium for other color devices. The plebian word mame is never applied to the adzuki. One asks for and refers to adzuki only. Three qualities are sold, the largest and red- dest selling at about .15 U. S. cents for a measure equalling our quart. The medium quality, selling for about .10 cents a quart, is mostly used by confectioners. A meal or flour of ground and sifted adzuki is made but it is not used by the confectioners. The adzuki meal is most often used for making a soup or hasty pudding which is considered a valuable morning food for invalids, the aged, and delicate children. Much color and flavor is said to lie in the husks or thin shells, and this is lost by the use of the bolted meal. The "red rice" of festival occasions, the New Year, marriage feasts and other ceremonial events, is made by adding the rice to the water in which adzuki are already boiling and cooking them together. For neru, or bean paste, adzuki are washed and boiled in large copper pans, the water twice changed in the half hour and each time as deeply dyed. When the adzuki are soft enough to press away between the fingers, the mass is thrown in a hopper and ground to break the skins which are removed by rub- bing through a sieve. The pulp is pressed in a bag to expel all the water and cooked again with sugar, beaten and stirred all the time with a big paddle. This dark, red sweet paste which tastes something between maple sugar and candied chest- nuts is most commonly met as balls or dumplings encased in a thin tough shell of soft rice paste. Glutinous rice flour is 626 mixed with yama imo , or nagai imo , wild or long potato, which when grated gives a foamy, ropy cream and is all the liquid needed to make a thick dough. Rounds of this well kneaded dough are deftly worked over a ball of bean paste and the dumplings are steam cooked in wooden trays. The thin tough rice membrane holds the paste in any shape it is moulded to and is a surface easily tinted or worked upon with relief devices. The dumplings are very often flattened out like muffins and toasted a rich brown which deceives many a stranger. Yckan or bean jelly is made by adding kanten, a gelatine derived from sea weed, to the sweetened paste with a little water. It is poured into wooden boxes to cool and cut into slabs eight inches long and two inches wide, wrapped in dry bamboo husk and sold In thin wood or paper boxes. Neither the bean paste or the jelly will keep for any time, the yokan soon crystallizing on the outside and in time drying as hard as a stone in cold weather, or moulding in hot weather. Bits of candied chestnuts are sometimes added to yokan and there is kuri yokan made entirely of chestnuts, which costs three times as much as the plain bean yokan, but is warranted to keep for a long time. O'cha yokan is white bean paste strongly flavored and colored with powdered green tea leaves; and there is a kake yokan, a bright orange yellow jelly made of fresh persimmons with a little of bean paste and kanten gelatine. These tea and persimmon jellies are specialties of the Uji tea district and of Ogaki and Gifu and are attractively offered for sale at those railway stations in sections of split bamboo stem into which the jelly is poured to cool. Adzuki are toasted or popped as we treat our dwarf Indian corn, but the grains do not open so widely. They are eaten merely toasted or they are salted or sugared over, or welded into an adzuki brittle with a syrup of ame (barley honey) . Kuro mame, (S. P.I. No. 34645) or black beans, are made into paste and also yokan, in the same way as the adzuki. Kuro mame boiled with a little soda to soften their obdurate skin, with a pinch of salt and a big pinch of sugar added, after the water is poured off, are a favorite relish with flesh or fowl, and are always found in one corner of the dainty bento or luncheon box sold at railway stations. These kurc mame are more particularly the good luck bean than any of the others, and are a necessary accompaniment of the New Year feast . The tender young Sora mame (S. P. I. No. 34646) are the favorite beans for popping. None of these toasted or popped beans foam out into the great white starchy kernels like pop 627 corn. The beans split only enough to show the white heart. They are quite solid and hard but if held in the mouth for a few minutes become soft. The sora mame have a sweetish taste and when cooked as a vegetable are further sweetened with sugar. Many of these beans seem naturally more sugary than the sugar beet. When the sora mame is fully grown it becomes the big flat Ota Fuku (S. P. I. No. 34647), a huge bean with a tough olive skin that has to be removed by scalding with wood ashes before it can be cooked at all. Sugar or sweet shoyu are usually boiled with it when served as a vegetable. They are also popped and they are so very hard that it requires several minutes steaming in the mouth before the teeth can make an im- pression. In view of this hardness and the great food value of these large beans, it would be interesting to know if toasted ota fuku beans would not be as useful to the pedestrian and mountain climber as the traditional raisin held in the mouth, or the compact piece of chocolate. Shiroi Endo (S. P. I. No. 34648), Aoi Endo (S. P. I. No. 34649), and Aka Endo, (S. P. I. No. 34650) are classed as beans, used as such and sold at bean shops, but are peas named for their distinguishing colors - white, blue and red. All three are sold toasted, and they are boiled and coated with sugar in several colors and become the favorite sweet of the children, who get a half pint of go-shiki-mame (five-colored- beans) for a penny. The aka endo, as brightly red as adzuki, are often boiled in sugar and used to decorate and encrust balls and cakes of bean paste or rice dough. To Roku mame (S. P. I. No. 34651), which is a white bean the size of a small lima bean, gets its name To (10) Roku (6), because ten such beans laid in a row equal six sun or Japanese inches. It is boiled and rolled in sugar and is a very satis- factory sweet for the tea tray. Shiroi daidze (S. P. I. No. 34654), the commonest and cheapest of all Japanese beans, is most used for the manufac- ture of tofu, or bean curd, and for shoyu, the pungent fer- mented sauce that we know as Worcester sauce when treated to capsicum and other hot spices. Shiroi daidze is used to make a cheaper white bean paste. This bean looks like a dried pea, but when soaked for even an hour in water it elongates to an oval bean. It is suspected that this bean is used in the manufacture of the many unsweetened brands of condensed milk, the taste of raw beans being unmistakable in all brands. Also, the milky fluid resulting from the first maceration of the beans for tofu was thrown away as useless until a few years ago, when a chemist discovered that it had the same chemical qualities as milk and all its nutritive value. Since then, the tofu factories have regularly made and sold "artificial milk", made by a process patented five years ago by Mr. Shugo Takano , a graduate of the Tokyo Bacteriological Laboratory. D STAK8 DSPAS7JEHT Of A01vICUL?UEJ8, BUR.-SAU I "--.I. c »? IS?KUIKJCTIOH. HO. 83, BULL3T1JI OF SORE1GB" ELAH? IH7KOW7CTIOH3. Decenber 1, 1912, to January 15. 1913* •SW i'LAHT (80?.:: Applioatlona f ?r oatsrial listed in this bul- letin may be Bade at any time to this Of floe. Aa they are received thoy are filed, and when the material is ready for the use of exporimentera it is Bent to those on the list of applicants who can show that thay are prepared to oar* for it, as well as to others solsoted because of their special fitness to ex ericaent with the particular plants imported. One of the main objects .;f the Offioe of foreign Seed and Plant Introduction is t . sooure oaterial for "lent ex- perimenters. and it will undertake as far ss poseible to fill any specific requests for reitrn seeds or plants from plant breeders nr.d others interested. ) ;T??fl> 1H NUMBE. Acacia 34837-638 Ilex 34836 Alioastrum ?b Kennedys 34642 Ariatocleaia 346 Lagunaria JA&^3 Boronia 34839 cotiana 34820 Caries 34TO Persea 34855-856 Cassia 34. .09 34904 Chenopodiun Phaseolus 348 8-900 64 Cydonla 34864 Solanum D46soorea Steroulia 34873 OnaphalitBi 34819 Steria 348^3 Grerillea 34872 figna 34859 PL. : The SioDOnds Papaya. .'• :: •• : . ••|8 MATT "2* 19 THIS BULWTIN IS 1AL PSBClSSIOIi. ACACIA SLATA. (llimosaceae. ) 34837. Seeds of cedar wattle from Australia. Presented by Lt.-Col. J. W. B. Field, Cestlemaln, Victoria. A a«w South Wales tree of very looal distribution, furnishing small craantities of lower grade gum arable. It is an evergreen tros with pale yellow flowers p * to a height jf 60 to 80 foot. : or Distribution later. ACACIA (Uimosaceae. ) 34838. Seeds of the nmdgee wattle from Australia. Presented by Lt.-Col. J. W. B. Field. Oastlemalne, Victor A yellow-flonrr-red evergreen shrub eiacoury-uva in Brazil, is said to b» very sweet and delicious. Whilst the seeds have the flavor of (Lindley, Treasury of botany.) For distribution later. BOBOIII. (Rutncoao.) 34839. Seeds from Australia. sonted by Lt.-Col. J. W. B. Field, Castle- inaine, Victoria. A pink-flowered evergreen shrub 4 to 10 feet hig . For distribution later. CAJRICA .MAYA. (Papayacsae. ) 34903. Seeds of papaya from lUrida, Mexico. Presented by Mr. £. H. Collins, of this Bureau, who procured then through 3r. Arturo "rvala from the Chinese gtrrfl'-ne . "Seeds from a Tor*: lar fino flavor od fruit. o troea oe wh ara very prolific, nnny treos . vor 7 feet in heig bearing froa 15 to 20 anormoua fruits anfi o rse, nua- erous smaller ;nes. Tno Chineso go r dans* .-.b ut Merid* securing reoarkfible retmlts rrith this -j . '' (Gollin». ) dietribution I&tor, aBnlplniftcetJ from S^uth Africa. ^B-mttjd ; urtt- OOTemment A.*rostologiat and Botanist, ana- raal. "Seed fr >a the a ^Jthwaatern "r^neraal and Beohuana- land. ?he root iu auppoaed to poasaoa ctedioinal virtnee and the leavee ar« anid t be ua -d in tropical Africa MI a •ntoatituto for and adulterant of, oonaercial senna; 1 havo no -noraonRl experience of ita oorits. The plan f«rs a aandy soil ana crotra in a region of sumor rain with a 15 to 70 inoh rainf-ill.M ;rtt-Oav7. ) trib-ition l4t»r« 150A. ( JVenopodiaoeae. ) of rainoa 2"roin }vujao, ^erti. Presented by "Seed of a c*>ruvian g^-ain. ic ffTceodinB-ly and might interest brealrfaet food acnufRctr.r«*r8. rJrows on •eni-eria land, is so*n in : v«s big crops. Adept«bl-? strains might b« selected. .rs at 1 11000 feet Altitude and even -r. t'OTm r.9*r tv« begin- ning of the r»iny season. "^0 pl^-nt reseiablee a wted Tery conmon in the btatea, r auld not be pnlled as a weed." (Bues.) ?OT distribution later. (Halacoae.) 346G4. I'lants of the Japanese quince from ffr >d fr '.ars. Leaolne A 9ona. "Variety Incendie. 'lowers rery beauti- ful, double and perfect; potala round, perftotl;: iabri- oated, live fiery aoarlet In color. T> (Lomoine. ) r dis- tribution lat (Diosooreaoeae. ) ^61. ?ho ro^t of a yam from Manila, hilipoine islands. Presented by ; r. 0* !• Barrett, Chief, Division of Horticulture, Bureau of igricult'o-e. "A superior Bort of ywn. 1 think ^re have never se ju this varied ':>re; it has a vorr distinct habit, as to t'-o rhlxooss. fron other yaos, somewhat ro- stmbliag th^t old -/est Indian 'yampee* in that respect. " (Barrett.) For distribution lat GlfAPHALIUM ORIENTAL .. (Asterr-ceaa. ) ;>4$19» Plants of immortelle from Toulon, France, asented by i!r. sfiold, consular agent. "In growing immortelles the choice of soil is very important. Rocky or sandy soils wit i. exposure, are best adapted for thie purpose. In rich, doep, cold soils, the immortelle is killed by the first frosts. After the soil has been broken and well prepared, the ground is laid out in rows 16 to 20 inches apart; in these rove the young plants arc set ut at a distance of 12 to 14 inches from each otx :. Care ehould be taken to heap up the eoil shout the ro ts. ese early plants ehould be watered by means of a sprinkler. If it should rain eft or the pi noting, sprinkling would be un- necessar It Trould be advisable during the first four or five days to protect these young plants from the hot rays of the sun. on they have begun to grow, they should be exposed t: the fnll r of the sun, and durinsr the winter protected from the cold, for the immortelle is very sensi- tive to frost. It is for thir reason thet the immortelle is cultivated at Ollioules and Bendol only in soils well exposed to the sun and upon the southern slopes. Culti- vation of the immortelle is exceedingly simple. It con- sists in spading lightly the ground about the plant and applying a suitable fertiliz The ground should be spaded whenever weeds spring up around the olants. 3 for fertilizer, it consists of oil-cakes and stable manure, whioh is placed about the roots of t1 a young plants when they h^ve attained a certain development. i fertilizer should be renewed in this region every year in October or November. The immortelle conmenoes to yield after the second year, and continues to bloon ev--n more than twenty years. In this region the flower is gathered in June or July. At thf? moment the flowers commence to open and show a small red point in the center and s,re of a beautiful golden yellow, they should be gathered. the flowers have arrived at this degree of maturity, they should be immediately gathered, f:>r they open ver~ rapidly and lose their commercial value. After flowers have been /gathered, they are exnosed to the snn for drying, fhen dry, they are made into bououets and hunpr uj° in dry rooms, out of reach of mice." O&ansf ield. ) For distribution later. GH3VILL3A BAWCSII. (Proteaceae, ) 34872. Seeds from Australia. Presented by Mr. James i-ink, Wellington Point, near Brisbane. • ueensland. "One of the most beautiful shrubs of Australia, evergreen, with red flowers and reaching a height of from 12 to 20 feet." ink.) For distribution lator. CGRALLIHA. (Aquifoliaoeae. )348;>6. Cuttings of a holly from Orleans, France. Presented by Messrs. Barrier A Company at the request of Messrs. Vilmorin-Andrieux 4 Co., Peris. "Among the new hollies recently introduced from China, Ilex oorallina ie one of the most remarkable; it is entirely different from all of er hollies existing in our collections in its peculiar habit. According to Franchet it reaches a height of froo 3 to 4 meters. It is a bushy shrub, smooth in all parts, with lenticular bark and glutinous buds. Its branches, long and slender, bend gracefully without boing pendant; b«ing very flexible, they are wared by the slightest breeie. Its loaves are rery long, from 4 to 5 inches, and from 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 in width, are thin and rapidly become coriaceous; they are o- vate-lanoeolato, finely denticulate, brilliant deep green above and pale green beneath. The fruits are numerous. •mall, coral red, whence comes the specific name. This shrub, which is BO graceful, has none of the rigidity of our hollies; it grows rapidly and does not seem dependent on the nature of the soil. It has stood our winters with- out injury, even as yaung seedlings; perhaps it is rash to isent it as hardy for the north "of France, bnt I am sure that for the climate of central Prance it will be an open air shrub. It -dll be ver.v decorative for the cliffs of wild gard^nc, in large rookeries, Just as it Till have its place in massed effectc ith other specie** We have grown is interesting novelty from seeds sent "- r. Wilson, which were collected in the thickets near Ifopin, central China, at altitudes of from 1500 to 1800 meters. He had already met this speoies the preceding year in the ravines around lohang." (Leon Chenault, Eevuo Hortioole.) For distribution later. .ilCDBI . abaoeae.) 54842. Seeds from Australia* x resented by Lt.-Col. J. 7. 5. Field, Castle- maine, Victoria. A twining evergreen with dark red flowers. For distribution later. LAGOTAEIA JrATiSHSQIII. (Malvaceae.) 34843. Seeds from Australia. Presented by Lt.-Col. J. W. B. ?leld, Oastle- malne, Victoria. "An Australian troe with white close- grained, easily worked *ood used for building, *Moh grows to a height of 40 to 60 feet and t : a diameter of from 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 feet. The bark furnishes a very beautiful f ibor on maceration." Uaidon, Us native plants of Auatralis. ) For distribution later. HICOTIAHA :-. (Solnnaceae. ) 34820. Seeds of tobacco from . otarsburg, Rasaia. ad "by the Director of Agriculture. Seeds of severe! strains of this apeoios hare Been secured f >r the use of various tobacco growers interested in producing the beet nicotine-yielding strains for the zinnuf actwre of oommero^ el nicotine. For distribution let^r. I OPG.) . 3AOC Cnttines of avocados from iLerida, Mexico. rr^sonted by Mr. O.'H. Collins, of this Bureau. From troee rnporte* to be of unusttf.. r distrib ticri 1 (Fabrceae.) . Seeds of beans ^erida, tfe"ico. . . llins of this 'hnrer-u who proour x in the Iferlda markets. irteen species and varieties of satire beans. J*or dj s- trib tion later. SOLAHUW S?. 34' - • bers of potato from : , . •'•• ¥• Wight, of this Bureau. Guitrache, Argentina, where there has been pr 10 rein sine* last ;'ny. It is sajfl the Indians hen raw and e the taste is a^r«3^ablF onon^h *tt - irst I can't •ay the taste later is particularly frbod." (Wlp't.) "or distribution late A. (Sterauliaoeae.) 3 . Seeds fro» Australia. eaented by lir. James Pint, Wellington nt , near ^risbnxie, Quecnslax n umbrageous tree pro- ducing its seeds in large pods which when ripe are a "brilliant crimson color cor-^inl-r black floods *hioh are sometimes eaten by children. Wfcen rip^ the pod a burst open and ht crimson color contrasting with th» black seada jriv^s the tree a rerj handfeoxe tnd striding . Ink. ) for dis- tribution later. • •«. (Astoraca&e. ) . - Seeds from cf.., iraragu^ . .sonted by Sr« Corlba ^ibnuz. wThis raraguayfc jullar inters at because of the very large saccharin cc , in the leaves. A tiny fr; ment olaced on the tongue seems as sweet as a 1 )f sugar of similar else. Sever \TB agD the discovery that this plant, then culled ned c substance many times sweeter than sugar, was heralded by the presr and exci- ted the keen interest of sugar planters all over the world. The e^batonoa trraod mt to be a glyoerin« and tho anxiety of angar int- r«»sts eubaided. (tfairchild. ) ?or dietribntion lst<*r. 71 ;icea«. } odB of a black betn fr~m San Salvador, Salvador. oaented by MJ Thorats Hincfcley, American oonaul-seneral , *ho proowred ~0ugh tl ffaoion*! de Agric a, *t tht erjpge of Mr. K. "A blaok polo benn ac pt - llfic RB to d»fy e It i§ fomnd In Its boet *tate ;*nt of Chalatanac o beet trt?it of thia ba«n boelAo ita splondid flavor la the faot that it la aown in the wane hill wifh Infllnn o^rn at tha aiwe ti»a tha l«tt«r la being noun, and It cmtnroa with t rn, tha tjbla. ) atalle of the latter boinr ita rftTural support." For diatrlbnti ->n Inter. Aannoion. iir. ,. . aeA writea that oapeota be better in tne future ae witnin a n n t kn-^w if your importation of BsrVl WAS srjcceasfnl, but I an gettincr 100 offshoote (they are soaroejfor both Wilson and I agree with yon t at it is the best data o region, r»ninp-, 1 have fivn varieties for instance that mat lira bofore Jane 15, nnd a new ford that ripens one nnnth sooner than th« rop-ilur article but otherwise can not be distinguished from it» Through a friend nt Bahrein I was able to »t 1000 jOilasa offshoots and unless something un- reueen occurs, I bellove it --vill be » m«nornble d^y for Cslifornia date culture when they are anloaded et Indlo. Wilson and 1 think that as a corassrcial date this is - equal to the Deglet Joor (although perhaps not as a simple .foctionnry) and that its lighter color and attractive appearance -ill make it compete \?uooe88fnlly with that hen tn tvo arc placed aids by side in the open market." PJP. i««rt (issued: 'larch 1$, 191J.) fHS SIJfiiOSDS PA?AYA. a, P.I. to. 16556. Thl« la ft asodliag from * fruit whloh was tone by tree grown from •••* ••at let by Sr. f. 0. Roa» of tho : anaa» Canal Zono in 1910 { S. P, J. So. 28536 ). it the boat M«dling out of sixty wMoh W»T« girovn frofl of the Mffle lAAntloal frnlt. ite globular ah«p«f owdiua else ana t>-io'< flash ought to oak* It a good ahlpper anft th« alld flavor aak«» it peculiarly aoo«ptabl« to thooo who hare n«r«r eaten * papaya and loerntA to approolato a more prononnoed pap«yn flavor. Graft a froa thia tree will bo Made In accordance with tho aothod outlined in a forth- coming circular of tho Bureau of ?lant Industry and tho grafted planta diatrlbut«<5 t r trial. It 10 namod aftor rr. :dward SlBnonda, gardener in charge of the Field Sta- tion at ttlani. Florid*, in recognition of hi a aucoeaaful work in tho grafting of the papaya. 639 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY, OFFICE OF FOREIGN SEED AND PLANT INTRODUCTION. NO. 84. BULLETIN OF FOREIGN PLANT INTRODUCTIONS. February 16, 1913, to March 15, 1913. NEW PLANT IMMIGRANTS. (NOTE: Applications for material listed in this bul- letin may be made at any time to this Office. As they are received they are filed, and when the material is ready to those on the are prepared to because of particular for the use of experimenters it is sent list of applicants who can show that they care for It, as well as to others selected their special fitness to experiment with the plants imported. One of the main objects of the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction is to secure material for plant ex- perimenters, and it will undertake as far as possible to fill any specific requests for foreign seeds or plants from plant breeders and others interested.) GENERA REPRESENTED IN THIS NUMBER. Alysicarpus Amygdalus Bomarea Borassus Calyptranthes Caragana Cymbopetalum Cyphomandra Diospyros 34931-933 34997 34979 35040 34980 34989 35039 34974 34973 Harpephyllum Kerstingiella Licania Ochna Persea Solanum Ximenia Undetermined 34943 34916-919 34915 34942 34994 35023-028 34921-922 35043 34913 PLATE: Amygdalus davidiana at Ames, Iowa. 640 A.LYSICARPUS SPP. (Fabaceae.) 34931-933. Seeds from Poona, India. Presented by Mr. W. Burns, Economic Botanist, through Mr. C. V. Piper, of this Bureau. Three species of legumes, related species of which are considered among the best Indian grazing plants. For distribution later. AMYGDALUS PERSICA NECTARINA. ( Amygdalaceae . ) 34997. Seeds of a nectarine from Santiago, Chile. Procured by Mr. W. F. Wight, of this Bureau. "Yellow-fleshed nectarines which are very common in the Santiago markets." (Wight.) For distribution later. BOMAREA SP. ( Amaryllidaceae . ) 34979. Seeds from San Jose, Costa Rica. Presented by Mr. Ad. Tonduz , Botanist, National Museum. "Fruits found in the vicinity of San Jose. An ornamental with edible tubers." (Tonduz.) For distribution later. BORASSUS FLABELLIFER. (Phoenicaceae . ) 35040. Seeds of the Palmyra palm from Madras, India. Presented by Mr. H. E. Houghton, Superintendent, Agri-Horticultural Society through Mr. Jose de Olivares, American Consul. "An erect palm, 60 to 70 feet high, with a stout trunk and fan- shaped leaves, indigenous to the dry region of Ceylon, India and Africa. It is naturally suited to a rather dry climate; is extensively cultivated for the fruit and leaves. The large black fruits are borne in a cluster at the base of the leaves; the nut contains a refreshing sap, much relished as a cooling drink; the kernels or young seeds are much used as an article of food, being sold in large quantities in the bazaars during the months of April and May; the sap obtained from the flower spathes is col- lected in large quantities and either fermented and made into 'toddy' or 'arrack' (an intoxicating drink), or boiled down for making sugar or jaggery. The leaf blades are used for making fans, baskets, buckets, etc.; while the leaf- stalks and mid-ribs furnish an excellent brush-fibre, which forms an article of export. To obtain the latter the trees are stripped of all but three leaves once in two years. The trunk yields a hard and most durable timber and the husks are in demand for fuel. Among palms in the East the Palmyra ranks next in importance to the coconut, and the acreage under its cultivation in Ceylon is estimated at approximately 40,000 acres, while that in Tinnevelly is said to be about 60,000 acres. It is propagated from seed, which is sown in situ in holes made in sandy soil. In about ten years from sowing, the palms should be in flower, when they may be used for drawing toddy and making sugar. 641 When grown for fruit an average return of about 3500 nuts per acre may be obtained." (Macmillan, Handbook of Tropi- cal gardening.) For distribution later. CALYPTRANTHES TONDUZII. (Myrtaceae.) 34980. Seeds from San Jose, Costa Rica. Presented by Mr. Ad. Tonduz , Botanist, National Museum. "A myrtaceous fruit called Guayabillo, which yields a hard fine wood. These trees scattered throughout the praderas (country covered with meadows) are literally covered with the yellow edible fruits." (Tonduz.) For distribution later. CARAGANA DECORTICANS. (Fabaceae.) 34989. Seeds from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England. Presented by the Director, Dr. David Prain. An Afghan shrub or small tree discovered by Dr. Aitchison in the Kurrum Valley. The bark is said to be "employed by the Afghans in the form of rings to slip over and hold the sheaths of their long knives in position- in lieu of brasswork; the surface takes a good polish, and when new resembles bronzed leather." (Aitchi- son.) For distribution later. CYMBOPETALUM PENDULIFLORUM. ( Annonaceae . ) 35039. Seeds of the ear flower from Guatemala City, Guatemala. Presented by Mr. George A. Bucklin, American Consul General. A very interesting annonaceous plant, the flowers of which when dried were used by the Aztecs to flavor their chocolate and the idenity of which hac but recently been discovered by Mr. W. E. Safford of this Bureau. For full account see Smithsonian Annual Report, 1910, p. 427-431. For distri- bution later. CYPHOMANDRA BETACEA. ( Solanaceae . ) 34974. Seeds of the tree tomato from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Presented by Mr. Carlos Thays , Director, Jardin Botanico. "An evergreen semi-woody shrub, native of Peru. The egg-shaped and smooth-skinned fruit, produced in great abundance and in hanging clusters at the ends of the branches, is in season almost throughout the year, but chiefly from March to May (in Ceylon). At first greenish purple, it changes in ripening to reddish yellow. Some varieties are of a deep- purple color. The sub-acid succulent fruits are refreshing and agreeable when eaten raw, but their chief use is for stewing; they may also be made into jam or a preserve. The tree is a quick grower, and commences to bear fruit when two or three years old, remaining productive for several years." (Macmillan, Handbook of Tropical Gardening.) Mr. L. H. Bailey found that this shrub would bear the 642 second or third year from seed when grown under glass, in Michigan, and the experiment is worth repeating. (Pair- child.) For distribution later. DinSPYROS KAKI. (Diospyraceae . ) 34973. Cuttings of persimmon from Hiroshima, Japan. Presented by Rev. H. Loomis, American Bible Society, Yokohama. "Giombo. This is the variety that produces the best dried persimmons in Japan." (Loomis.) For distribution later. HARPEPHYLLUM CAFFRUM. ( Anacardiaceae . ) 34943. Seeds from Cape Town. Presented by the Chief Conservator of Forests. "One of the prettiest evergreen shade trees to be seen in the gardens of Cape Town. Suitable for very windy situations and forms a very dense shade. The timber is said to resemble mahogany and is used for wagon making. The red showy drupes have a pleasant acid taste, but little pulp, and are suitable for making preserves. The tree will stand some drought and is suitable for frost-free regions. Has done well in California, and particularly well in South Florida, where trees introduced in 1902 are now 20 feet high. (Fairchild.) For distribution later. KERSTINGIELLA GEOCARPA. (Fabaceae.) 34916-919. Seeds of the kandela from Togoland, Africa. Presented by Dr. A. Engler, Director, Botanic Garden, Dahlem, Germany. "Three years ago Professor H. Harms described a new genus of Leguminosae which he called Kerstingiella after its dis- coverer, Dr. Kersting of Sokode, Togoland. Apart from the strictly botanical interest attaching to it, it was remark- able as the source of a ground bean or nut which had been until then unnoticed, although its cultivation in Upper Guinea as we now know extends over a fairly large area. In 1910 Dr. A. Chevalier recorded the same plant from Dahomey, describing it as a new species of Voandzeia under the name V. poissonii. Since then it has been in cultiva- tion and under observation in the Botanic Gardens at Dahlem and Jena, and last year Professor Harms published a short article in which he summarized briefly what was then known about this ground bean, adding some valuable information concerning the conditions of its cultivation. "Chevalier states that Hausa traders assured him of the existence of the bean in British Nigeria. This statement is confirmed by specimens of Kerstingiella communicated to Kew by Mr. W. R. Elliot, who came across it as a field crop in Nupe . The plant is undoubtedly of some economic importance and it seems desirable to call the attention of British residents and travelers in Nigeria to the occurence 643 with a description of the plant and some observations of its morphological and biological peculiarities mainly quoted from the same author's earlier paper together with a list of vernacular names. "'Two years ago I called attention to an important botanical discovery by Dr. Kersting, who , in the northern territory of Sokode-Bassari , Togoland, came across an especially interesting new kind of bean which matured its pods below, instead of above ground. The well-known ground nut (Arachis hypogaea), and the peanut (Voandzeia subter- ranea) , are similar instances. Kersting found that the natives of Togoland cultivated the bean, which they called Kandela in three varieties distinguished by their colors. I described this bean which is not known in the wild state, as Kerstingi ella geocarpa, the type of a new genus of Leguminosae . "'In July, 1910, Aug. Chevalier, the indefatigable African explorer, reported the existence in Dahomey of a plant which, to judge from the description, was very similar to, if not identical with, Kersting's bean. He named it Voandzeia poissoni, a new species of the genus of the peanut, giving the Dahomey name as 'Doi'. the beans are sold in the market of Abomey by the natives, who grow them largely. There v/ere also here color varieties (white, black, or red and mottled). An account may be found in Quinzaine Coloniale, 1910, No. 16, p. 590. Chevalier's description suggested at once the identity of the Dahomey and the Togo bean. M. Chevalier was, on his return from Africa, good enough to send me a specimen of his Dahomey plant whilst I supplied him with material from Togoland ana our comparisons proved that the two beans were actually identical, or in other words that the Togo bean extended into Dahomey and M. Chevalier has already stated (Compt. Rend. 1910, p. 1574) that he too considers his species as identical with Kerstingiella geocarpa. He gives an impor- tant account of its distribution in Dahomey, quoting vari- ous vernacular names. The species is also said to occur in British Nigeria, but up to the present I have seen no specimen from there. In Togo as well as in Dahomey the plant is known only in the cultivated state, which renders Kersting's and Chevalier's discoveries the more remarkable. "'Chevalier gives analyses (I.e. p. 1375) which show that the nutritious value of the beans is very consider- able. They are said to equal the richest peanuts in nitro- genous matter, whilst they have at the same time a more pleasant taste, particularly for Europeans, recalling that of the finest varieties of beans. The yield, owing to the smallness of the seeds (8-10 mm. by 6-7 mm.), is not large. 644 In Dahomey according to the French explorer, the women are forbidden to eat the beans. "'Last year (1910), thanks to the kindness of First Lieutenant Raring of Sokode-Bassari (Togo), the Botanic Garden at Dahlem near Berlin received excellent seeds of this remarkable fruit. They germinated well and numerous plants were raised by Chief -Inspector F. Ledien, not a few of them flowering in July and August. A number of seeds were sent to Inspector E. Rettig of the Botanic Garden at Jena, and under his careful and intelligent treatment, splendid specimens grew up of which some even set fruit. The unfavorable and cold summer of 1910, however, prevented their maturation. The flowers are very small and papilion- aceous and spring from the creeping stem close to the ground. The flowers of the variety with light or occasion- ally black-mottled seeds are white, those of the other varieties pale violet. "'It is desirable to follow up the distribution of this cultivation, particularly among the natives in Togo, where it may also be found in the wild state. Similarly Voandzeia subterranea, so generally cultivated in Togo, has never been observed in the spontaneous condition. It is also possible that Kerstingiella occurs in the Hinterland of the Camaroons (Adamaua, Zola, Gerau, etc.). Chevalier states that the Hausa traders contended that it existed in British Nigeria and the probability that the Hausa people were instrumental in the spreading of the cultivation is obvious. The Hausas call it Kouarouroi according to Chevalier. It is also saict to occur in Borgu. It is true, at the first glance it might be mistaken for Voandzeia sub- terranea and Schweinfurth actually suggests that this has been the case with certain writers (Zeitschrift d. Gesell- schaft f. Erdkunde, 1910), but the expert will always dis- tinguish them. Habit and leaves are similar and yet dis- tinct, and Voandzeia, so long and so well known to us, has above all much larger globose seeds. "'In any case, I should be very grateful for any com- munications concerning Kerstingiella or Voandzeia, their cultivation and use, and particularly if they are accomp- anied by flowers, fruits, and seeds. Material of this kind would enable us to establish the distribution of the plant. Kerstingiella might possibly also be grown with advantage in other- parts of our 'colonies. Moist and hot countries do not suit it; in Togo it occurs according to Kersting in sandy laterite loam, in a climate of low humidity with occacional heavy showers and a shade temperature of 18°- 34°C. ' " "As the resemblance between Kerstingiella and Voandzeia 645 subterranea (at least in its broad-leaved states), is con- siderable and the two have actually been confused, it may be useful to point out the following differences: Kerstingiella geocarpa. Flowers subsessile in the axils of the leaves, paired or solitary without a dis- tinct common peduncle. Calyx deeply divided, with narrow, linear , subequal seg- ments . Style glabrous. Stigma terminal , capitate . Stipes of pistil lengthen- ing considerably after fer- tilization. Seeds oblong - ellipsoid, 6-7 mm. by 5 mm. Voandzeia subterranea. Flowers usually in pairs on a common, more or less hairy, peduncle terminating with a callous swelling. Calyx with short, broad and uneven teeth. Style hairy on the inner side upwards. Stigma lateral, below the pointed apex of the style. Pistil without a stipes. Seeds globose-ellipsoid. 1-1.5 cm. by 0.9-1.05 cm. "The mechanism by which the pods of Kerstingiella become buried in the ground is very singular and almost unique in Leguminosae. When the flowers, which seem to be chasmogamous , are fully developed, they are close to the ground. After fertilization the solid base or stipes of the pistil, which in the flower is very short, lengthens into a carpopodium and at the same time turns towards the ground; then the corolla and the style are thrown off. The ovary, still very small, is pushed out of the calyx, and by the root-like carpopodium gradually driven into the ground, where finally the growth and the maturation of the ovary into the seed-bearing pod takes place." (From the Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, No. 5, 1912, of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England.) For distribution later. LICANIA PLATYPUS. (Rosaceae.) 34915. Seeds of the sonzapote from San Jos-r, Costa Rica. Presented by the Department of Agriculture. "It grows in the form of a tree, rather scarce on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, but more common in other parts of Central America, where it is 646 sometimes known as Sunza. The fruit, is large, somewhat ob- long with a reddish-gray skin; the flesh yellowish, fibrous and rather sweet, enclosing an oval depressed seed." (W. E. Safford.) For distribution later. OCHNA PULCHRA. (Ochnaceae.) 34942. Seeds from South Africa. Presented by Mr. J. Burtt-Davy, Government Agros- tologist and Botanist, Pretoria, Transvaal, Union of South Africa. An ornamental shrub or small tree with pendulous racemes of orange-red berries, found in the vicinity of Johannesburg, Transvaal. The seeds yield oil. For frost- less regions. For distribution later. PERSEA AMERICANA. (Lauraceae.) 34994. Seeds of avocado from Valparaiso, Chile. Procured by Mr. W. F. Wight, of this Bureau. "Palta. The fruits from which these seeds were taken are sold in Valparaiso. They are purple-skinned, rather small and of very fair quality," (Wight.) For dis- tribution later. SOLANUM of potatoes W. F. Wight, Mr. Wight in inal habitat SPP. (Solanaceae. ) 35023-028. Seeds and tubers from various parts of Chile. Procured by Mr. of this Bureau. Various varieties obtained by his investigations of the potato in its orig- For distribution later. SOLANUM of a potato Presented by COMMERSONI. (Solanaceae.) 34921-922. Tubers from the Colonial Museum, Marseille, France, the Director, Dr. E. Heckel. XIMENIA CAFFRA. (Olacaceae.) 35043. Fruits from South Africa. Presented bv Mr. J. Burtt-Davy, Government Agro- stologist and Botanist, Pretoria, Union of South Africa. "Zuur pruin. An edible fruit useful for jellies. It grows in semi-arid, sub-tropical localities, such as the Trans- vaal bush-veld." (Burtt-Davy.) For distribution later. UNDETERMINED. Roots from Angola, West Africa. Pre- sented by Mr. Merlin W. Ennis, Boston, Mass. "Olanamba. The wild ones are found on stony mountain slopes where the soil is sandy. This cultivated root seems to thrive on any soil and will bear well on soil too poor and sandy for potatoes. The natives eat these roots raw. We bake them, use them in soup, etc." (Ennis.) For distribution later. NOTES FROM CORRESPONDENTS ABROAD. Mr. Frank N. Meyer, Agricultural Explorer writes from Harbin, Manchuria, Feb. 25, 1913: "The last long report I 647 wrote you was from Chita. I paid visits to Mr. P. M. Tolmatchoff, acting director of the local museum and ar- ranged with him to see the botanical collections the next day. Then I hunted up a Mr. A. M. Suvari who is the Govern- mental Agronomist for the Chita district. This last gentle- man speaks German very well and we spoke about a good many topics. The Russian Government is going to establish an experimental station near Petrofski Savod to the west of Chita, as the soil immediately around this last town is too sandy to be of any use for agriculture. Mr. Suvari himself does not know very much as yet about local Eastern Siberian conditions as his field for many years was the Steppe-ter- ritory of S. W. Siberia which he knows very well. He told me that way off of the beaten tracks one finds that in old Kirghiz settlements varieties of grains are being cultiv- ated, like wheats, barley and millets which are quite dif- ferent from any sorts he ever saw. Especially in the dry Karakalinsk district one finds them. This is to the S. W. of Semipalatinsk. Mr. Suvari also told me that the Govern- ment has intended to experiment with local wild grasses but .they find it almost impossible to obtain seeds enough to v/ork with, native people being too indolent and too dull; Mr. Suvari had offered as much as ten roubles for a tumbler full of wild lucerne-seed and not even a thimble full had been brought in. I asked about this Amur wild rice, Zizania latifolia, but Mr. Suvari did not quite know it; we have written now to the Agricultural Society at Blagowestchensk, where this grass occurs. I also went to the Office of the International Harvester Company and heard that agriculture is slowly spreading over the whole of Siberia and that more and more machines are sold every year. To obtain however, native grasses and forage plants is a thing one would have to go after himself in that short season, called late summer, which is very short indeed in Siberia. "I saw Mr. Suvari also again, he had promised me some samples of a good rye, that grows some distance away from Chita. He had not been able to obtain it but he will send it to you at Washington. Mr. Suvari likes to obtain from us names of firms dealing in grains and forage plants from the most northern parts of America. I suggest to open up correspondence with him, especially when the Agri . Exept . Station there near Petrofski Savod will be established, as he may supply us with seeds of local fodder grasses. "The next day I left Chita, which possesses a fine, sunny, dry winter climate, and we took our tickets to Harbin, or rather to the Sta. Manchuria, as for some reason or other they would not sell us thro' tickets, apparently in connection with delays at the Manchurian frontier. And we were delayed for many many hours, but on Friday, Feb. 21, we arrived here in this town." AMYGDALUS DAVIDIANA. Chinese Wild Peach. A six-year old tree of the red barked, upright strain of Chinese wild peach standing in the midst of a winter killed orchard of ordinary peaches at Ames, Iowa. This tree grown from seed of a tree now growing at Pekin (S.P.I. No. 18262) began to show unusual hardiness in 1910 and in 1911, following an unusually dry summer- and stood uninjured a January temperature of -35° F. , which killed the hardiest varieties of peach, such as Hills Chihll, to the ground. In Texas and southern California it has shown an unusual resistance to drouth and a remarkable earliness as a stock. It flowers very early and its buds are killed by the frost in Iowa, so that it has not fruited there. It is not an edible peach but a stock plant for stone fruits. (Issued: May 19, 1913. ) 661 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE, BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY, OFFICE OF FOREIGN SEED AND PLANT INTRODUCTION. NO. 86. BULLETIN OF FOREIGN PLANT INTRODUCTIONS. May 1, 1913, to June 1, 1913. NEW PLANT IMMIGRANTS. (Note: Applications for material listed in this bul- letin may be made at any time to this Office. As they are received they are filed, and when the material is ready to those on the are prepared to because of particular for the use of experimenters it is sent list of applicants who can show that they care for it, as well as to others selected their special fitness to experiment with the plants imported. One of the main objects of the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction is to secure material for plant ex- perimenters, and it will undertake as far as possible to fill any specific requests for foreign seeds or plants from plant breeders and others interested.) Arracacia 35400 Bromus 35429 Canangium 35243 Ceratonia 35238-242 35244-246 Citrus 35247 Corylus 35288 Cudrania 35258 Gonolobus 35249 Heritiera 35413 Ipomoea 35280-281 Juglans 35303 Lovoa 35459 GENERA REPRESENTED IN THIS NUMBER. Mangif era Medicago Mida Onobrychis Pasania Pinus Triticum Ziziphus 35403-412 35427-428 35435-443 35323 35313 35320 35289-294 35300 35314 35253-257 35260 35416 PLATE: Fruit of Cudrania tricuspidata. 662 MATTER IN THIS BULLETIN IS NOT TO BE REPRINTED WITHOUT SPECIAL PERMISSION. ARRACACIA XANTHORRHIZA. (Apiacae.) 35400. Tubers of the apio from Caracas, Venezuela. Presented by Mr. H. Pittier, of this Bureau. "This plant is cultivated in the cooler mountain districts of northern South America, where the roots form the staple diet of the inhabitants. The plant is somewhat like the wild hemlock (Conium maculatum) but its leaves are broader, its stem not spotted, and its flowers are of a dingy purple color; the roots are large and are divided into several fleshy lobes of the size of a carrot, which when boiled are firm and have a flavor intermediate between that of a chestnut and a parsnip." (Masters, Treasury of Botany.) "Here the plants grow only in the mountains above 1500 meters. I do not know whether it reaches the freezing line, but everybody says it does not thrive at lower altitudes." (Pittier). For distri- bution later. BROMUS SP. (Poaceae.) 35429. Seeds of a grass from the Argentine Andes, south of Lago Nahuel Huapi . Presented by Dr. Bailev Willis, of the Argentine Survey of the 41st parallel, S. lat. This and four other grasses and a rush were sent in as specimens of the pasture grasses of this portion of Argentina. For distribution later. CANANGIUM ODORATUM. ( Annonaceae . ) 35243. Seeds of the ilang-ilang from Manila. .Presented by Mr. n. W. Barrett, Chief, Division of Horticulture, Philippine Department of Agriculture. "A large evergreen tree of the family Annon- aceae, native of Burma, but extended in culture to Java and the Philippines. An agreeable and highly valued perfume known as ilang-ilang is distilled from the flowers. It should succeed in Southern Florida and the warm portions of the Gulf Coast." (Dr. V/. Van Fleet.) "The war corres- pondent, Mr. Creelman, called our attention several years ago to the possibility of growing this flower in Florida and shipping it to the northern markets as is now done with the Gardenia." (Fairchild.) For distribution later. CERATONIA SILIQUA. ( Caesalpiniaceae . ) 35238-242, 35244-246. Cuttings of seven varieties of carob from Val- encia, Spain. Presented by Mr. Claude I. Dawson, American Consul. These are cuttings of the best varieties grown in Valencia, full descriptions of which are given under S.P.I. Nos. 30914 to 30920, in inventory No. 27. For dis- tribution later. 663 CITRUS SP. (Rutaceae.) 35247. Cuttings of an orange from Algiers, Algeria. Presented by Dr. L. Trabut , Service Botanique, Algeria. "This late Berna orange is the object of important export from Murcia, Spain, during the summer. The fruit is globular oval, medium in size, with very solid skin assuring its preservation." (-Trabut.) For distribution later. CORYLUS MANDSHURICA. (Betulaceae . ) 35288. Seeds of a hazelnut received from Mr. Frank N. Meyer, Agricultural Explorer, Harbin, Manchuria. "A hazelnut found wild in the hilly parts of Manchuria, very resistant to cold and drought. The hulls of this hazelnut are very thick and hard while the kernels are small. The people however col- lect them and eat them mostly roasted and salted, and in that way they taste very good indeed. To be tested especially in the northwest plains section of the United States. Obtained on the market in Harbin." (Meyer.) For distribution later. CUDRANIA TRICUSPIDATA.. (Moraceae.) 35258. Plants from Laoling, Shantung, China. Received from Mr. Frank N. Meyer, Agricultural Explorer. "A wild shrub, sometimes growing into a small tree, found in dry places. Called by the Chinese Tcho sang, which means wild mulberry; the leaves are used for feeding silkworms in times of scarcity of mulberry leaves. This plant makes a similar impression to the osage orange but is of much smaller dimensions. Can be utilized in the drier parts of the United States as a hedge plant around gardens, as a fence material on farms, while it can also be employed for bank binding in the milder, semi-arid sections. This shrub is very thorny and can serve therefore very well for hedge purposes ." (Meyer .) "Plants of this same species (S.P.I. No. 34493) introduced by Mr. E. H. Wilson, have fruited at Augusta, Ga., in the nurseries of P. J. Berckmans Sons, and the fruit is sweet and edible. It is closely related to our native osage orange (Maclura aurantiaca) and might hybridize with it. There are other edible fruited species also, so this introduction opens up a most interesting field for the breeder." (Fairchild.) For distribution later. GONOLOBUS EDULIS. ( Asclepiadaceae . ) 35249. Seeds of the cuayote from San Ramon, Costa Rica. Presented by Mr. Ad. Tonduz, exploring botanist. "An asclepiadaceous twiner with yellow flowers in small racemes, and long fruits, pointed at both ends, provided with longitudinal wings. The fruit is eaten while still soft." (Tonduz.) For distribution later. 664 HERITIERA LITTORALIS. ( Sterculiaceae . ) 35413. Seeds of the dungonlate from Manila. Presented by 0. W. Barrett, Chief, Division of Horticulture, Philippine Bureau of Agriculture. "A medium-sized tree with a dense crown, leaves entire, leathery, dark above and silvery beneath. The wood is very hard and durable and is classed among the best of the Philippine hardwoods. The tree is a good ornamental and makes an excellent windbreak. It succeeds on moist land and grows well even in the proximity of salt water." (Barrett.) For distribution later. IPOMOEA BATATAS. ( Convolvulaceae . ) 35280-281. Tubers of sweet-potatoes from Callao, Peru. Presented by Mr. Luther K. Zabriskie, deputy American Consul. Two varie- ties of sweet-potatoes, one white skinned, and yellow within, with an especially sweet taste, and preferred by the Peruvians, the other a purple-skinned variety. For distribution later. JUGLANS MANDSHURICA. ( Juglandaceae . ) 35303. Seeds of the Manchurian walnut from Mukden, Manchuria. Received from Mr. Frank N. Meyer, Agricultural Explorer. "The Man- churian walnut is a stately timber tree, occurring in Manchuria and Japan. It is very sensitive to late fcost and on that account has proven to be a difficult tree to grow away from its native countries." (Meyer.) For distribution later. LOVOA SWYNNERTONII. (Meliaceae.) 35459. Seeds of brown mahogany from Mount Silinda, Melsetter, Rhodesia. Present- ed by Mr. 0. J. Omer, American Board Mission in South Africa through the Forest Service of this Department. "This tree produces a splendid dark brown wood of great strength and durability and is found only in our forest here at Mount Silinda, the only forest of large trees in Rhodesia. The tree grows to a height of 150 to 200 feet, diameter 5 to 8 feet, a 150 foot tree requiring about a hundred and fifty years for growth. It is, I understand a true mahogany, and it is because of its rarity that I thought you might take an interest in experimenting with it in America. The temperature here varies from about 30° F. in the cold season to about 80° in the shade during the summer months, rainfall 70 inches, more than half of this falling during the three summer months, elevation 5000 feet, distance to sea one hundred and fifty miles, pre- vailing winds from the sea." (Omer.) "It is a fact worth mentioning that other trees from Rhodesia have done pecul- iarly well in Florida. " (Fairchild ) For distribution later. 665 MANGIFERA SPP. ( Anacardiaceae . ) 35403-412. Rooted cuttings of mango from Buitenzorg, Java. Presented by Dr. J. C. Koningsberger , Director, Botanic Gardens. Nine species of mango, and one related species shipped by Wardian case, introduced in order to secure the best Java- nese varieties for comparative tests. For distribution later. MEDICAGO SATIVA. (Fabaceae.) 35427-428. Alfalfa seed from Lima, Peru. Purchased from Dr. C. H. Tyler Townsend, Chief Entomologist, Peruvian Department of Agriculture. Two forms, one from a high altitude, the other from a drier region near sea level. For distribution later. MEDICAGO SATIVA. (Fabaceae.) 35427-428, 35435-443. Alfalfa seed from Pooiia, India. Presented by Mr. T. Forester Main, Deputy Director of Agriculture. Nine varieties differing but slightly from those of Western India. For distribution later. MIDA ACUMINATA. ( Santalaceae . ) 35323. Seeds of the quandong from Sydney, Australia. Purchased from Anderson and Company. "The quandong, which is found in all the states of the commonwealth except Tasmania, is a beautiful evergreen tree, finally attaining a height of about 30 feet. It has opposite lance-shaped leaves, mostly two or three inches long, and rather numerous, insignificant flowers arranged on small, terminal branches. These are succeeded by globular fruits, about three-quarters of an inch in diameter, of a reddish color when ripe, and in that condition are often called native peaches. When the quandong is carrying a crop of fruit the smaller branches often become pendulous from the weight of it, and then the tree is decidedly ornamental, and produces a very fine effect in the landscape. The succulent outer part of the fruit is acidulous, but can be made into an excellent preserve and jelly having a flavor somewhat similar to that of guava conserve. It can also be used for tarts or pies, or served with cream. The outer covering, after the nuts have been extracted, may be dried either in the sun or in an evaporator. The nuts, which are called quan- dongs , have edible and nutritious kernels of a very plea- sant flavor. They contain a large percentage of oil, which burns readily, producing a bright light. The oil can be expressed from the kernels by ordinary methods, and may eventually prove of considerable commercial import- ance. The trunk of the tree is not of great dimensions, for it rarely exceeds 8 or 9 inches in diameter. Its 666 timber is hard, not liable to split or warp, and when mature, of a yellowish color. It is easy to work, and on being freshly cut or reworked emits a pleasant fragrance. It is suitable for turnery, carving and cabinet work, and has been recommended for wood engraving. The drought- enduring qualities of established trees are remarkable, for their growth seems to be neither seriously affected by the hot winds that are periodically experienced in summer, nor by the long periods of dry weather which prevail in adverse seasons. Plants grown from 'seeds in nursery rows do not bear transplanting very well, for if the root sys- tem of the young seedlings is much disturbed they wil take some time to recover." (Fred Turner, in the Sydney Morning Herald.) For distribution later. ONOBRYCHIS SATIVA. (Fabaceae.) 35313. Seeds of sain- foin from Issyl-kul, western Siberia. Obtained from Mr. I.M. Karsin, by Mr. Frank N. Meyer, Agricultural Explorer. "A native west Siberian forage plant obtained from Mr. I. M. Karsin at Issyl-kul, who believes that this western Siberian form of sainfoin is bound to play a great role some of these days as a late fodder crop in dry regions with short growing seasons. This sainfoin thrives best in a soil which contains considerable lime." (Meyer.) For distribution later. PASANIA CORNEA. (Fagaceae .) 35320 . Seeds of the South Chinese evergreen oak, purchased from H. Green, Superin- tendent, Botanical and Forestry Department, Hong Kong. "An evergreen oak, said to be a very showy ornamental, but interesting particularly in bearing acorns as hard-chelled as the nuts of the American hickory, which contain a ker- nel almost as sweet as the Spanish chestnut. These acorns are sold in the markets of Canton and Hong Kong in large quantities and are keenly relished, not only by the Orientals, but also by Europeans. Although difficult to predict how hardy this species will be in America, it is worthy of trial in all regions where citrus fruits can be grown. A single specimen at my place in Maryland lived through two winters and grew slowly although the temper- ature dropped to 17° F. It succumbed the third winter however, although it was a very mild open one." (Fair- child.) For distribution later. For photograph see Bulletin No. 37 this series. PINUS SPP. (Pinaceae.) 35289-294, 35300. Seeds of pines from Siberia and Manchuria. Received from Mr. Frank N. Meyer, Agricultural Explorer. Five species of pines, 667 some of them furnishing lumber, others suitable for orna- mental planting. For distribution later. TRITICUM DURUM. (Poaceae.) 35314. Seeds of a durum wheat from Issyl-kul, western Siberia. Obtained from Mr. I.M. Karsin, by Mr. Frank N. Meyer, Agricultural Explorer. "Var. melanopus. A valuable black-bearded summer durum wheat having the bracts close together. Selected by Mr. I. M. Karsin at Issyl-kul, who finds that in dry western Siberia, wheat with short dense ears requires less moisture to mature and are less easily injured by long droughts than wheats with long loose open ears. This variety melanopus especially needs but little moisture to ripen fully." (Meyer.) For distribution later. ZIZIPHUS TRINERVIS. (Rhamnaceae . ) 35416. Seeds from Manila. Presented by Mr. 0. W. Barrett, Chief, Division of Horticulture, Philippine Bureau of Agriculture. "A tall shrub or small thorny tree of vigorous growth. This species may prove a good stock for the improved varieties of Ziziphus jujuba in the tropics where this species does not succeed well on its own roots. It should be planted on well-drained land." (Barrett.) For distribution later. ZIZIPHUS JUJUBA. (Rhamnaceae.) 35253-257, 35260. Scions of jujubes from Laoling, Shantung, China. Obtained by Mr. Frank N. Meyer, Agricultural Explorer. Several varieties, one bearing almost entirely seedless fruits, which are steamed and dried for winter use, another with fruit the size of small eggs, and a third with very sweet fruits. For distribution later. NOTES FROM CORRESPONDENTS ABROAD. CHILE. Santiago. Mr. W. F. Wight, writes March 29, 1913. "In regard to Chiloe, it is in large part an un- known wilderness and there is one man who can be of very great service, namely Dr. Roberto Christie, Casilla F, Castro, Chiloe, Chile. Dr. Christie knows southern Chile better than any other living man and I am sure will send us some very interesting seeds such as the Cypress of Chiloe, and many others. Through Dr Christie's help I was able to get into a region totally uninhabited and never visited by any botanist. There is on the west coast near Quilan and south of Cucao, a plant with a fruit like a Pandanus , (Dr. Christie calls it a Bromelia but it may not be) which I think may be of considerable value. 668 The leaves are perhaps as long as those of New Zealand flax and yield a fibre from which the Indians make a very strong rope. I saw them use this rope in ways that would severely test its strength and there can be no doubt on that point. If any one will take this matter up and grow the plants it would be worth while to spend some money to secure it. There was no seed and young plants would have to be sent. These would have to be taken up with some earth and carried in sacks on horseback over a terrible trail for some distance, then across a lake and again by cart or on horseback to Castro, from which point they can be shipped. Dr. Christie can attend to this if you want it done. I suspect this plant is entirely unknown outside Chiloe and there are only two men who really know the way south into this region. By the way, I have a plant some- thing like celery with edible stems and leaves. Dr. Christie thinks it the wild form of celery but that is old-world, and I found this where there is no definite knowledge of anyone's having lived for an unknown length of time, though there was once an ancient people for I found bits of pottery within 20 miles. The present Indians do not make pottery, neither have they ever been known to do so, while what I found was in the earth and was being exposed by the wind uncovering it in the hills 200 feet above the sea." CHINA. Shantung. Tsi-nan-fu. Mr. Prank N. Meyer writes April 5, 1913. "I hope that the shipment which I am sending by post today will reach Chico O.K. and that the stocks there are not too far advanced, for there are among this lot the interesting seedless jujubes and a large fruited variety, the size of the fruit being like small hen's eggs. I have also been getting some interest- ing varieties of vegetables. A variety of the egg plant with large reddish white fruit, a great rarity apparently. Also some muskmelons and cucumbers. The weather all of a sudden has become very warm here and poplars and willows have already good sized leaves. The lilac, ornamental crab apple, apricot and plum are in full bloom. I am afraid that scions cannot be sent any more over that long distance to America and several things will have to be gotten this coming winter. With my present interpreter and assistant I am getting on the track of several things of which I have heard nothing before and as I probably have another two years before me here in China I suppose I will be able to bag the major part as time advances. A week or so from now I hope to return to Peking, and after having finished accounts and reports, prepare myself for 669 the big trip, to Honan, Shansi, Shensi, and Kansu, which will last perhaps up to January, 1914, after which time I have to return again to this rich province of Shantung." INDIA. Lahore. The Superintendent of the Government Agri-Horticultural Gardens, Mr. W. R. Mustoe, writes us April 24 "our crop of Pistacia integerrima seed is very short this year, but I shall be able to collect you a few pounds. The reason why it did not germinate with you last year was no doubt because it got too dry. Even with us it will not come up unless sown v/ithin 5 weeks after collec- tion. We have great difficulty in keeping parrots from destroying the seed as they have a special liking for it and will clear a tree in a few days. Therefore I may have to charge you the wages of two boys for a month to watch the trees, but this will not cost more than 10 shillings." JAPAN. Tokyo. Mr. H. Dauke writes May 2, 1915. "There are two different kinds of bean meal in this country. One is prepared from the 'Soja' bean and the other from the 'Adaukl' bean. The meal of the Soja bean, 'Kinairo', is prepared by rinding the parched bean in a handmill. The meal of the Adzuki bean, ' Sarashi-an' , which is mostly used in the manufacture of cakes and .con- fections is produced in the following way. The bean is first boiled in water, and the resulting pulp then strained through a cloth bag leaving nothing but the refuse behind. This liquid is then allowed to evaporate and the solid mass remaining is ground into a fine flour in a handmill. The meal is sometimes prepared in another way. The bean is ground up in a handmill and the flour allowed to dry in the air. The meal of the Soja bean, 'Kinako' is commonly used for food in the state of flour, sweetened with sugar in covering the 'Mochi1 (the rice- cake which is made by steaming glutinous rice and pound- ing it in a mortar) . The meal of the Soja bean is often used in the manufacture of the cake called 'Mameginto1 by mixing the sugar and 'Ame1 (the glutinous jelly made of rice flour) in it. The meal of the AdzuVi bean, 'Sarashi- an' is used in various ways. Bean meal soup is made by boiling bean meal in water, sweetening with sugar, and is served with a portion of 'Mochi', the rice cake. This soup is called 'Shiruko' and is highly relished by the Japanese. When the thick solution of ' Shiruho-an' , sweet- ened with sugar, is boiled down it is called 'An'. It is sometimes used as a filler or an icing for the 'Mochi1, but is more widely used in the manufacture of cakes and confections. Most of the cakes are made from this bean meal . " 670 PHILIPPINES. Manila. Mr. 0. W. Barrett, writes April 5 1913: "Mr. Wester is exceedingly busy at Lamao Experi- ment Station in building up a very large and interesting ollection of the world's best citrus plants. We are con- tinually finding new and more or less peculiar native varieties, many of which appear to be natural hybrids, some kinds carrying two, three, and perhaps four species in their "blood". Mr. Wester has writen the manuscript of a Citrus bulletin intended for arousing the interest of the Philippine planter in this industry which we hope will within a few years develop into one of considerable im- portance. I am leaving to-day for a brief visit to Min- danao. It is quite possible that I may be able to procure some interesting material for you on this trip. You will be interested to know that a new fruit from southern Pa- lawan, discovered last year, bids fair to put the mango- steen itself 'in the shade'. None of us in this Division have seen the fruit itself, but although it is said to be a vine the leaf much resembles that of the Durian: the fruit itself is said to be on the same style as the mango- steen but Is very much larger, contains more edible pulp, and the flavor is, according to report, about ten times better than that of the mangosteen. We have just one live plant but we hope to get a considerable number of the fruits in June. We have several thrifty branches of the Siamese seedless pomelo and as soon as budwood is avail- able we shall take great pleasure in sending same to you. Mr. Boyle is much interested in the peculiar hairiness of the young shoots of this peculiar variety; the pubescence disappears after a few months but its presence is in my opinion a very distinctive point. We are still waiting for photographs and further details as to the plantation from which we received our budwood. You will be interest- ed to know that we sent yesterday, a collector to Portu- guese Timor, --at least we have first claim on all the. economic material he gets there. It is claimed there are several very distinct citrus types in the East Indies. Another collector going through the interior of New Guinea promises us 'first choice'. Our banana collection now contains well over 100 'named sorts', some of which, of course, are undoubtedly duplicates. We have succeeded fairly well in raising a number of interesting African and Indian sorts from seeds. Mr. E. D. Merrill, Botanist of the Bureau of Science, promises to try to straighten out the taxonomy of Musa if we will furnish him fresh mater- ial; it seems that the recent monograph of Musa is a fail- ure. We are continually finding wild bananas here in the hinterland of Luzon, strange Musa spp. some of which appear to be undescribed . " CUDRANIA TRICUSPIDATA. Fruit of the Chinese Che tree, a near relative of the Osage orange, but with edible fruits, shown in natural size in the photograph. This fruit was grown at the Berckman's Nursery. Augusta, Georgia, from introductions made by Mr. E. H. Wilson, of the Arnold Arboretum, from Central China, but the plant has also been recently found and sent in by Mr. Frank N. Meyer, Agricultural Explorer, from the province of Shantung, in northern China, which has a semi-arid climate with light frosts. The striking similarity between the fruit of thi& species and the Osage orange suggests the possibility of making a hybrid. Pho- tograph from fruit presented by Mr. P. J. Berckman's Nur- sery, Augusta, Ga. (Issued July 24, 1913.) 689 PLANT IMMIGRANTS Issued monthly by the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction, Bureau of Plant Industry, Department of Agriculture. No. 89. September 1913. Genera Represented in This Number. Antidesma Artocarpus Atalantia Brassica Bunchosia Dahlia Eriobotrya Juglans Michelia 36088 36256 36102 36113 36101 36257 36210 36082 36090 Nymphaea Panax Prunus Raphanus Saraca Ugni Zea 36258 36175 36086, 36112 36115 36092 36132, 36150-151 36185-195 36197-209 36211-253 PLATE: Artocarpus odoratissimus . Marang. (NOTE: Applications for material listed in this bulletin may be made at any time to this Office. As they are received they are filed, and when the material is ready for the use of experimenters it is sent to those on the list of applicants who can show that they are prepared to care for it, as well as to others selected because of their special fitness to experiment with the particular plants imported. One of the main objects of the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction is to secure material for plant experimenters, and it will undertake as far as possible to fill any specific requests for foreign seeds or plants from plant breeders and others interested.) 690 Aiitidcsma buuius. (Euphorbiaceae . ) 36088. Seeds of the bignai from Manila. Presented by Mr. 0. W. Barrett, Chief, Division of Horticulture, Philippine Department of Agriculture. "A small, reddish, currant-like fruit, pro- duced on a small to medium-sized tree of common occurrence and easy culture." (Barrett.) For distribution later. Artocarpus odoratissimus . (Urticaceae . ) 36256. Seeds of the marang from Lamao , Bataan, Philippine Islands. Pre- sented by Mr. P. J. Wester, Horticulturist, Division of Horticulture, in charge of Lamao Experiment Station. "These seeds were collected in Zamboanga during my recent trip to Mindanao. This is my second opportunity to test the marang, and I have no hesitation to declare it as one of the coming tropical fruits even in its present unde- veloped state. It is very sweet and rich in flavor, and has the unique quality of having a flesh that separates readily and absolutely from the seeds and the skin. As far as I have been able to ascertain the marang occurs only on the south coast of Mindanao and in the Sulu archi- pelago. On my return to Manila I met on the steamer a missionary that had lived in Borneo for three years, part of which time was spent in Sandakan; she had neither heard of nor seen the fruit before. The marang will probably not succeed except where the climate is warm ana humid throughout the year and the atmosphere close and still. The tree is also known as madang. It is a medium-sized tree with large dark-green leaves, entire or more or less conspicuously trilobate, 18 to 24 inches long and 10 to 12 inches broad, similar in habit to the breadfruit, and is found on the south coast of Mindanao and in the Sulu ar- chipelago, and was first described from Mindoro. The fruit is large, about 6 inches long and 5 inches in equatorial diameter, roundish oblong, regular, thickly studded with soft greenish-yellow spines about one-third of an inch in length on the outside; rind thick and fleshy; flesh white, sweet, rich, juicy, aromatic and of good flavor, separated into segments (of about the size of a grape) clinging to the core; each segment containing a seed; seeds many, whitish, one-third by three-fifths of an inch, smooth, separating readily from the flesh. When the fruit is ripe, by passing a knife around and through the rind, with a little care the two halves separate from the flesh leaving this like a bunch of white grapes. Ripe fruits were obtained in August. The marang is far superior to its relatives, the jak and the ordinary breadfruits found in the Philippines, and already in its present form is a remarkably good and attractive fruit. The tree was noted by the writer in Zamboanga and Davao." (Wester, in the Philippine Agricultural Review, November 1912, and in correspondence.) For distribution later. 691 Malunt'xt i-acc/ito*'/ . (Rutaceae.) 36102. Seeds from Gaganbavda, Kolapur District, India. Presented by Mr. R. R. Dhavle. "A small tree or shrub, differing from the other species of Atalantia in that it is always unarmed. It is found in the lower mountain regions of Ceylon, in Southern India and in the western peninsula from the Con- can to Travancore. In February the plant produces its white flowers which are arranged in short but distinct ra- cemes with the peduncles a little less than a quarter of an inch in length. The berry is globular-ovoid, three- fourths of an inch wide with a long epiculus, four- celled, four-seeded." (Trimen, Handbook of the flora of Ceylon, and Hooker, Flora of British India.) Introduced for the citrus breeding work of the Office of Crop Physiology and Breeding Investigations. For distribution later. (Brassicaceae . ) 36113. Seeds of the petsai cabbage from Peking, China. "A large variety of Chinese winter cabbage coming from near Tientsin, called 'Ta pai tsai.' Chinese winter cabbage is a vegetable of first class quality, having a rich flavor all its own. It is very much easier digested than the ordinary cabbage and emits no offensive odors when boiled. It can be served in many different ways and may be eaten boiled or stewed, raw, pickled or salted. To obtain the best re- sults a rich well worked soil is needed, the plants must have a space of about two feet In all directions and they must be regularly cultivated, and they must never suffer for lack of sufficient soil moisture. The best time for sowing the seed is about the end of July or early in Au- gust; for regions with a very long summer even later will •suffice. To keep them during the winter the Chinese pro- ceed this way; after the first heavy night frost :he cab- bages are pulled out by a twist of the hand, the earth roughly shaken off the roots and the plants left lying on the field for a day or so to dry them off, then the outer leaves are pulled off, the dry soil beaten from the roots and the cabbages brought to dry dug-out cellars, where they are neatly stored layer on layer with the heads fa- cing the entrance. Dry straw is now put over them and the whole covered with a heavy coat of soil. When stored carefully they last until late next spring. The roots must never be cut off as otherwise the plants begin to rot. When grown for seed the roots with just an inch or so of the leaf-stumps left on them are planted out in the spring on a special piece of land, where the soil is not too heavy. They soon form new rootlets and in a short time stalks rise up with but very scanty foliage and bear- ing pale yellow flowers. The process of setting seeds 692 takes but little time. When all goes well one has fresh seeds again in early or middle July. From the nature of the climate of north China one might predict that this cabbage will do well in those parts of America where in late summer and fall the days are warm and dry but the nights are cool and where the soil is a trifle saline and is irrigated." (Meyer's introduction.) For distribution later. l>uiK-liosi(t cotittiriccnxix . (Malpighiaceae . ) 36101. Seeds of the cereza from San Jose, Costa Rica. Presented by the Costa Rican Department of Agriculture. "Fruit of medium quality and in no way comparable with the true cherry (cereza) of Europe. The tree is indigenous and often cul- tivated in gardens. The fruit is often called tereza, which is but a corruption of the name cereza." (Pittier, Plantas usuales de Costa Rica.) For distribution later. sp . (Asteraceae . ) 36257. Seeds of a wild dahlia from Contreras, Federal District, Mexico. Present- ed by Mr. William Brockway, Superintendent Hotel Imperial gardens. "From information given me by Prof. Pringle, who collected extensively for many years in Mexico, I am led to believe that the wild dahlia growing on both sides of Ajusco mountain along the line of the Cuernavaca division of the Mexican National Railway is the variety from which the cultivated dahlias were originated. They grow at an elevation of about 8000 feet, and during the dry season these plants dry down and commence their growth again about June 1, flowering about the month of September, although I have several specimens growing in my garden that are now beginning to flower in July, having been irrigated a little. All the varieties I have noted here are single flowered and none inclining to the cactus type. I have found at least twenty colors and note some tending to the collarette type, that are mostly self colors rang- ing from various shades of red through orange, lemon and violet to white. Some varieties are of very robust growth mostly growing to a straight single stalk, branching out on all sides exactly like a young specimen fruit tree. They are very floriferous and I have often dug clumps of a mass of tubers that would weigh up to 10 pounds. Several of these varieties would prove of value on account of the size, strength and beauty of the full grown plant." (Brockway.) For distribution later. Eriobotryit japoidai . (Malaceae.) 36210. Cuttings of a loquat from Rome. Presented by Dr. Gustav Eisen, San Francisco, California. "Apple loquat from Boscotrecase . 693 It is very early as it matures in Rome in May. It is only a week later than the pear loquat, and must be classed as one of the very early desirable fruits." (Eisen. ) For distribution later. Jugfan.fi rcgia sincnxix. ( Juglandaceae . ) 3608E. Walnuts from Tientsin, China. "Chinese walnuts coming from Chang- li, Chili province, north China. Obtained through the efforts of the Hon. Samuel S. Knabenshue , American Consul- general at Tientsin. These Changli walnuts have errone- ously been called Manchurian walnuts by some people be- cause they come from near the Great Wall and this nomen- clature has given rise to newspaper reports that fine wal- nuts were grown in Manchuria. There is however a wild walnut in Manchuria, Juglaus inandshuiicu , which grows into a stately tree, of which the wood is valuable, but the nuts are not fit for human consumption. From preliminary experiments iu seems that these North Chinese walnuts are of a decidedly hardier nature than the forms which occur in western and southern Europe and in north-western Asia." (Meyer's introduction.) For distribution later. Michelia c// ant pu r« . (Magnoliaceae . ) 36090. Seeds of the champac from Lai Bagh, Bangalore, India. Presented by the Government Botanic Gardens, Lai Bagh, through Mr. F. W. Popenoe of this Office. "This is a tall, handsome evergreen tree, known under the vernacular name of cham- pac. Its flowers are pale yellow and very fragrant. It may be of value as an ornamental tree for extreme southern Florida." (Popenoe.) For distribution later. rtuJllmanii. (Nymphaeaceae . ) 26258. Seeds of a water-lily from German East Africa. Presented by the Usumbwa company, Nyembe-Bulungwa, Port Tabora. A tropi- cal water-lily with sulphur-yellow flowers, having orange- yellow stamens and yellowish green sepals, the flowers be- ing from 4 to 6 inches across and very sweet scented. Introduced for breeding purposes at the request of Mr. E. D. Sturtevant, the breeder of water-lilies. For distri- bution later. Panux- iiui'iKjuefoliiun . (Araliaceae . ) 36175. Seeds of ginseng from Songdo, Korea. Presented by Mr. C. H. Deal, Anglo-Korean School, at the request of Mr. Noble, of the Northern Methodist Mission in Korea. "This is perhaps the most famous section in the v/hole world for the cultivation and production of ginseng. A few years ago its culti- vation dropped out but now if anything it is being culti- vated more widely than ever. These seeds are fresh and as yet are not thoroughly dried. As you know when they are 694 dry they are very hard, so hard that they must be soaked in water until thoroughly wet and planted where they will freeze so as to burst open the shell." (Deal.) For dis- tribution later. • I'nunis tonteitlrixu . ( Amygdalaceae . ) 36086. About 42000 seeds of a bush cherry from Tientsin, China. "A fruit, eminently suited for the home garden in the colder, semi- arid sections of the United States. The Chinese most times bud or graft this bush-cherry on the remarkably thrifty wild peach jlmygdalus davidiu/ui , on which stock it takes a much more vigorous growth and is also better able to withstand drought and adverse conditions than when left on its own roots. Chinese name 'Ying tau'r'." (Meyer's introduction.) For distribution later. Primus trilobu . (Amygdalaceae.) 36112. Seeds of a flowering plum from Pekin, China. "A flowering plum much cultivated in the gardens of north China and existing in a great many varieties. The color of its flowers ranges from pale pink to a dark violet-rose, while as regards size, degrees of doubleness, profusion, difference in time of opening and in the lasting qualities a very great vari- ation exists. The Chinese in the north always graft or bud this flowering plum on the wild peach (Amygdalus daridiniHi . ) This is mostly down low in the ground but one also finds specimens budded high up and trained as stand- ard trees. In this way a specimen looks fine when planted in a formal courtyard. This flowering plum is also a great favorite with the Chinese for forcing and thousands of dollars worth of them are disposed of every winter. The few fruits that these bushes bear possess no value, being the size of a cherry and having a large stone cover- ed with an Inedible hairy skin of a yellowish-red color when ripe. This shrub is much recommended for ornamental purposes all over the temperate parts of the United States and especially for the drier sections when grafted on Amygdalus (laridirnKi,. For forcing purposes when budded on this stock it may give surprising results for earliness. The Chinese name is 'Yu ye mei hua' which means 'Elm- leaved flowering plum.'" (Meyer's introduction.) For dis- tribution later. (Brassicaceae . ) 36115. Seeds of the Chinese winter radish from Peking, China. "A fine variety of the long, green winter radish called ' Ching loba.1 Especially recommended for its stomachic properties. As a winter vegetable, especially for those doing hard manual labor, this Chinese winter radish will be of inestimable 695 value and special effort should be made to make the Ameri- can public acquainted with it." (Meyer's introduction.) For distribution later. Saraca indica. (Caesalpinlaceae . ) 36092. Seeds from Lai Bagh, Bangalore, India. Presented by the Government Botanic Gardens, Lai Bagh, through Mr. F. W. Popenoe of this Office. "One of the handsomest of Indian ornamental trees, producing large heads of the most brilliant scarlet flowers imaginable. While restricted to the tropical sections of India, it may be sufficiently hardy to succeed in south Florida." (Popenoe.) For distribution later. Ua-ing purposes only, at least for the present. I consider this wild alfalfa much more valu- able than Jl . fitlcata . It is specially suited for the in- termountain sections of the United States and I wonder whether much attention has been paid already to this valu- able forage plant. I collected only a small quantity of the seeds, but enough to grow a little plot of it some- where. In Kalgan I obtained seeds of the largest variety of Kohlrabi in China, good sized specimens weighing as much as Jo pounds. Some vegetable dealer ought to make some noise about this, don't you think so?" Mr. Meyer also writes under date of September 24 and 27. "I leave Peking early October 1913, by train to Honanfu, by cars from Honanfu to Sianfu, Shensi, passing through the great persimmon region of North China. From Sianfu to Lanchowfu, Kansu, passing through more persimmon districts and through jujube orchards. Returning from Lanchowfu either along the same road or by other ways, collecting cuttings and scions en-route. Back in Peking in early January. Shipping off all collections. End of January 1914, or early February, to Shantung, especially around Tsinanfu, collecting peaches, jujubes, persimmons and large fruited haws. Back in Peking toward the end of March or early April, 1914. Then making ready for a big exploration trip of the mountains and valleys of the Kansu province, starting out from Lanchow in all directions, collecting herbarium material during the summer, seeds in-" the fall, and scions and cuttings during the winter 1914- 1915. Towards spring back to the coast and leaving per- haps by way of Japan and the Panama Canal for New York, arriving in Washington before the close of the fiscal year 1914-1915. This present winter's trip into Kansu is one 700 of reconnoitering more than one of thorough exploration, but as Kansu is difficult land I first want to become ac- quainted with local conditions before starting out on any- thing very big. " "In the splendid bracing autumn weather which we are experiencing here these last days I have seen several' Chinamen carrying plants of the dellciously fragrant tea- olive Olea frugritiix through the streets of the city here. These plants are all grafted on Ligustrum H/J . (L. siitruxc or L. quihoui.'} In the Shantung Province however they use as stock riiwnanthux rctnsa, while in Central China the plant thrives on its own roots. "Now this thought occurs to me. Our olive is a very near relative of this Olca fniL>r(tnx, our olive suffers much here and there from frosts, from ill-drainage and from root-rot. Could not we make some extensive experiments in grafting or budding olives of various species of Ligus- trum on various species of Chionanthus and on various species of Praxinus, with the aim to make Olea curopaca hardier, more resistant to various uncongenial factors and above all to make it more fruitful? Have also experi- ments been made already, for so far as you are aware, to make "standard" trees out of Foi'sytliitt rir dinKinia and F. suspeiisa by grafting it on Ashes, Fringe-trees and Privets or Lilacs, for instance on Syi'iug. "•• • SCIENTIFIC STAFF OF THE OFFICE OF FOREIGN SEED AND PLANT INTRODUCTION OF THE BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. Washington Staff. David Fairchild, Agricultural Explorer in charge. P. H. Dorsett, Plant Introducer in charge of Plant Introduction Field Stations. Peter Bisset, Plant Introducer in charge of Foreign Plant Distribution. Frank N. Meyer and Wilson Popenoe, Agricultural Explorers. George W. Oliver, Plant Breeder and Propagator. H. C- Skeels, Botanical Assistant, in charge of Seed Collections and Office Herbarium. S. C. Stuntz, Botanical Assistant, in charge of Explorers' Notes, Foreign Correspondence, and Publications. R. A. Young, Botanical Assistant, in charge of Dasheen Investi- gations . E. L. Crandall, Photographer. Staff of Field Stations. R. L. Beagles, Assistant Farm Superintendent in charge of Chico, Calif., Plant Introduction Field Station. H. Klopfer, Plant Propagator. J. M. Rankin, Assistant Farm Superintendent in charge of Rock- ville (Yarrow), Md . , Plant Introduction Field Station. Edward Goucher, Propagator. Edward Simmonds, Gardener and Field Station Superintendent in charge of Miami, Fla. , Plant Introduction Field Station. W. H. F. Gomme , Assistant Farm Superintendent in charge of Brooks- ville, Fla., Plant Introduction Field Station. S. A. Beach, Field Station Superintendent in charge of Ames, Iowa, Plant Introduction Field Station. J. H. Allison, Expert. Collaborators. Mr. Aaron Aaronsohn, Haifa, Palestine. Mr. Thomas W. Brown, Cairo, Egypt. Dr. Gustav Eisen, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, Calif. Mr. E. C. Green, Coroata, Maranhao , Brazil. Mr. A. C. Hartless, Saharanpur, India. Mr. H. Harold Hume, Glen St. Mary, Fla. Mr. Barbour Lathrop, Chicago, 111. Mr. William S. Lyon, Manila, Philippine Islands. Mr. William H. Raynes, Tallahassee, Fla. Mr. J. F. Rock, Honolulu, Hawaii. Miss Eliza R. Scidmore, Yokohama, Japan. Mr. Charles Simpson, Little River, Fla. Dr. L. Trabut , Algiers, Algeria. Mr. E. H. Wilson, Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain, Mass. I. ANT I E T Descriptive notes furnished mainly. by Agricultural Explorers and Foreign Correspondents relative to such newly introduced plants as have arrived during the month at the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction, of the Bureau of Plant Industry, of the Department of Agri- culture. These descriptions are revised and published later in the Inventory of Plants Imported. Genera Represented in This Number Amygdalus Catalpa Citrus Crataegus Euonymus Hypericum Inocarpus Malus Mimusops Olea Oryza Osterdamia 38178 38254 38101 38293 38335 38176 38283-284 38237 38153 38135 38231 38279 38172 38336 38327 38177 Paeonia Paulownia Punic a Pyrus Rollinia Rosa Saccharum Salix Zinziber Ziziphus 38339-340 38184 38185 38240-242 38262-271 38277-278 38171 38161-166 38257 38332 38233 38180 38244-247 38249-253 38258-261 Plates: Large-sized Chinese jujubes. Chinese Haw orchard and fruits. Fei peach orchard. (NOTE: Applications for material listed in these multigraphed sheets may be made at any time to this Office. As they are received they are filed, and when the material is ready for the use of experimenters it is sent to those on the list of applicants who can show that they are pre- pared to care for it, as well as to others selected be- cause of their special fitness to experiment with the par- ticular plants imported. One of the main objects of the Office of Foreign seed and Plant Introduction is to secure material for plant experimenters, and it will undertake as far as possible to fill any specific requests for foreign seeds or plants from plant breeders or others interested.) nun 768 Amygdalus persica. (Amygdalaceae . ) 38178. Cuttings and plants of the Fel peach from Feitcheng, Shantung, China. "A remarkable variety of clingstone peach, con- sidered to he the best in all China. Size large to very large; shape round, very heavy, often over one pound apiece; skin quite downy and of pale yellowish color with a slight blush on one side. Flesh very juicy and sweet and of excellent aromatic flavor, of white color, except near the stone where it is reddish. Stone very large and pointed, flesh strongly adhering to it. Ripens in early to middle October and possesses excellent shipping and keeping qualities. The trees are of erect growth when young, but when older they spread out considerably, remaining of open growth. To reach their greatest per- fection these peaches need to be fertilized each spring, while during dry seaaons, they are irrigated from wells. The fruit is also thinned. The soil they seem to thrive in best is a porous, light clayey loam of reddish color, retaining moisture quite well, but not becoming too soggy. The local people calculate that on an average a tree sup- plies ten dollars Mexican worth of fruit each season and they consider an orchard of these peaches a very valuable asset indeed. The climate around Feitcheng is of a semi- arid nature and this variety of peach may be expected to thrive especially well in the regions west of the Rocky Mountains. Chinese name, 'Fei tao,' meaning 'Fei peach.' (Meyer's introduction.) Amygdalus persica. (Amygdalaceae.) 38272-276. Peach cuttings from near Tai an fu, Shantung, China. Five varieties, one said to be very large and juicy, weighing up to a pound, and keeping to December, another of medium size, ripening late, and keeping well, a third very orna- mental flowering variety, with small, peculiarly-shaped 3-pointed, rosy-red fruits, and two of the 'pien tao' or flat varieties, of good quality. (Meyer's introduction.) Catalpa bungei. (Bignoniaceae . ) 38254. Trees of ca- talpa from near the village of Wang yu ko, Shansi, China. "A quickly growing Chinese timber tree, growing to large size, specimens seen 100 feet tall, with trunks 10-15 feet in diameter a few feet above the ground. The Chinese plant this tree for its wood, which is strong, light, durable and non-warping. It resembles walnut to a con- siderable extent and is much in demand for table tops and for fine furniture. This tree might possibly be profit- ably cultivated in the semi-arid sections of the United States where the winters are not too severe, while the summers may be quite hot. They are easily propagated from 769 roots that are close to the surface of the ground and the tree thrives best when planted close to irrigation canals and on sheltered places. Chinese name 'Tchiu shu1 , mean- ing 'autumn tree.' (Meyer's introduction.) Citrus ndbilis deliciosa. (Rutaceae.) 38101. Seeds of a mandarin orange from Lamao, Bataan, Philippine Islands. Presented by Mr. P. J. Wester, Horticulturist in charge of Lamao Experiment Station. "Seeds of a small, oblate, very thin skinned mandarin of most excellent quality, that is imported from China in considerable quantities. It is to my mind greatly superior to all the mandarins I have eaten here or in Florida with the possible exception of the 'Oneco', which it very much resembles in flavor. Con- sidering how well the mandarin reproduces itself from seed, at least a few seedlings of excellent quality should be obtained from these seed." (Wester.) Citrus hystiix . (Rutaceae.) 38293. Seeds of the cabuyao from Lamao, Bataan, Philippine Islands. Presented by Mr. P. J. Wester, Horticulturist in charge, Lamao Experiment Station. "A thorny tree from 6 to 12 meters in height with a rather dense rounded head, frequently with drooping branches; young growth more or less purplish, smooth. Leaves 16-24 cm. (6-10 in.) long, broadly winged, the area of the wings frequently exceeding the leaf area; fruit variable, from oblate to pyriform turbinate or oblong, smooth, to more or less corrugate, greenish lemon yellow; rind medium thick, flesh greenish, juicy, sharply acid, aromatic, contained in 12 to 15 locules; juice-sacs short and blunt; seeds many, flat, reticulate. Range from Malaysia including the Philippines to India. Like all other Philippine citrus fruits, the cabuyao goes under a multiplicity of names, varying with the tribal languages of the archipelago and the different forms of the fruit; some of these names are Suha, Balincolong, Biasong, Tibu- lit, Colobot, etc. Excepting the citron the cabuyao is perhaps less esteemed than any of the better-known citrus fruits in the Philippines and can scarcely be said to be cultivated. Some kinds are eaten with fish by the Fili- pinos and make a fairly good 'ade1. Most forms are also used in cleaning clothes and as a hair wash. The cabuyao has scarcely been introduced beyond its native habitat and is seldom seen even in botanical collections. For at- tractive shapeliness certain forms of the cabuyao are sur- passed by no other citrus fruit. Some of these forms un- questionably will be recognized as subspecies or possibly as separate species on closer study." (Wester, Bulletin No. 27, Citriculture in the Philippines. 770 Citrus sp. (Rutaceae.) 38335. Seeds of the 'natsu mikan' from southern Kyushu, Japan. Presented by Mr. E. H. Wilson, collaborator of this Office. "During my recent trip to southern Kyushu I made a collection of the various citrus fruits cultivated there. Among these fruits is an orange which I am unfamiliar with. Its Japanese name is 'natsu mikan1 and it is said to keep longer than any other variety and to be very sweet at mid- summer. It is a light-skinned variety with rather pale flesh and the skin separates from the flesh as it does in the pomelo. The tree bears while still small and the fruit is decidedly handsome in appearance. In February and March it is still on the tree and the flavor is sour and very decidedly bitter. I shall test the fruit again at midsummer to find if it becomes distinctly sweet. Very likely this orange is well known to you but it occurs to me that sweet oranges at midsummer would find a ready mar- ket. If of any interest to you there would be no diffi- culty in securing a supply of seeds. I think growing plants could also be obtained. Apparently it is as hardy as the Navel orange." (Wilson.) Crataegus pinnatifida. (Malaceae.) 38176, 38283-284. Cuttings and scions of a large-fruited haw from the vil- lage of Ta ching ko, near Tai an fu, Shantung, China. "The Chinese haw fruit seems to thrive best on well-drain- ed semi-gravelly or sandy loam and the best quality of fruit is produced on trees that grow on mountain terraces. It is not unlikely to become a fruit of considerable im- portance in America, when once it has become known. The Chinese graft and bud this haw on wild and seedling stock of the same species, but experiments should be made to determine whether other species of Crataegus will also be suitable for stocks." (Meyer's introduction.) Three varieties, one of which, of agreeable sour taste, can be kept almost a year, and is excellent for jellies, com- potes, cake fillings, etc. Euonymus lungci. (Celestraceae . ) 38237. Cuttings from the village of Tchang pai , Shensi, China. "A spindle- wood, usually seen as a shrub, but when not molested, growing to a medium sized tree. The plant is an excellent bank binder, throwing up suckers all around; it stands drought to a wonderful degree, while it resists alkali also to a certain degree. On most places this shrub is cut down every year, but this treatment seems to make it spread more. Ib deserves to be given a thorough test as a bank and soil binding plant, especially in the semi-arid parts of the United States." (Meyer's introduction.) Ziziphus jujuba. Dried Chinese Jujuoes. The large round jujube or Ta-yuan-tsao from Pai hsiang chen, Shansi Province, China. (Hens' Eggs for comparison). The Tsao or Chinese jujube has proven hardy in the latitude of Washington and has borne good fruit in Texas and Cali- fornia. The discovery by Frank N. Meyer and the successful importation of cuttings of this unusually large fruited variety, S.P.I. No. 38243, cannot fail to have an effect upon the spread of jujube culture in this country. Photo- graph by Meyer, Feb. 14, 1914. Amyfdalus persica. The Fei Peach. An orchard of the Fei peach at Feitcheng, Shantung Province, China. A thousand taels (£700) worth of fruit was sold from this small orchard in the fall of 1913. It is one of the highest priced peaches in China retailing for 4-82 apiece. A seedling of this Fei peach was fruited last season at the Chico Field Station, but Mr. Meyer has now succeeded in importing fine cuttings and plants of this very large late clingstone variety which the Chinese rate so highly. Photograph by Frank N. Meyer, March 20, 1914. 771 Ifypericuni oblon gifolium . ( Hyp erlcaceae.) 38153. Seeds of a St. John's wort from Ventlmiglia, Italy. Presented by Dr. Alwin Berger, Curator, La Mortola Gardens. "A shrub, truly hardy in England, with evergreen foliage and large handsome yellow blossoms, which is a native of northern India, Nepal, and the Himalayas. It is found growing at elevations of from six to twelve thousand feet. It is a small rather compact shrub, with red-brown terete branches. The leaves of this species which are the largest of the genus, are dark green above, pale and glaucous beneath, and two to four inches in length, and evergreen." (Botanical magazine, pi. 4949.) Inocarpus cdulis . (Fabaceae.) 38135. Seeds of the Tahiti- chestnut from Pago Pago, American Samoa. Presented by Com- mander C. D. Stearns, Governor. "One of the most striking features of the forest. It bears a kidney-shaped fruit which is eaten cooked, when not quite ripe, and tastes much like a chestnut. The wood is of light color, straight, of fine texture, and very tough. It is used for burning lime in open kilns, the wood having the remarkable quality of burning readily when green. In some of the Pacific Islands the nuts are preserved in pits, like breadfruit, where they ferment. In Samoa it forms a staple food for several months of the year. The wood is perishable and of little economic value. The bark is astringent." (Stearns.) Malits ttp. (Malaceae.) 38231. Scions of a crab-apple from Sianfu, Shensi, China. "A flowering crab-apple, of low branching, wide spreading growth, said to bear masses of small, double flowers of rosy-red color. Obtained from the garden of the English Baptist Mission Hospital at Sianfu." (Meyer's introduction.) Jfalus sp . (Malaceae.) 38279. Scions of an apple from the village of Fan dja tchwang, near Tai an fu, Shantung, China. "A variety of apple, said to be large, of red color; flesh firm and of sweet flavor. Chinese name 'Ta ping kuo ' , meaning 'large apple'. Apparently very drought- resistant, and possibly of value for the drier parts of the United States." (Meyer's introduction.) Mimusops sp. ( Sapotaceae . ) 38172. Seeds from the Rio de Janeiro Botanic Garden. "A small, sapotaceous fruit from the Jardin Botanico. Tree about 20 feet high. Fruit oval, slightly under one inch in length, maroon in color. The flesh surrounding the single seed is whitish and of very pleasant flavor resembling that of the sapodilla. (Dorsett, Popenoe and Shamel introduction.) 772 Olea europea. (Oleaceae.) 38336. Cuttings of olive from Bermuda. Collected by Mr. Peter Bisset, of this Office. "Cuttings from an olive that fruits sparingly in Bermuda. For trial in Florida, where soil and climatic conditions are similar and where the olive does not fruit." (Bisset.) Oryza sativa. (Poaceae.) 38327. Seed of a rice from Dakhla Oasis, Western Egypt. Purchased from Sheikh Abu Bakr, through contract made by Prof. S. C. Mason, of this Bureau, on his visit to the Oasis in October 1913. "This rice is a variety grown in the Oases of Kharga and Dakhla, and regarded by the natives as quite distinct from the so- called valley rice which is used in reclaiming the salty lands in the delta of lower Egypt. Mr. Wright, manager of the Corporation of Western Egypt at Kharga, and Sheikh Abu Bakr, the chief man of Dakhla Oasis, both especially recom- mended this rice as being a valuable crop for reclaiming salty lands. They stated that it can be grown successfully on land quite too strong for barley. My idea in bring- ing this in was not that it would be of sufficient impor- tance to use as a main crop on high priced irrigated lands, but that it should be given a test as a useful crop in re- claiming lands at present too salty for the growing of al- falfa and barley. There are considerable areas of land of this character in the Coachella valley accessible to a good flow of artesian water. In Dakhla the land is bordered up with quite high ridges, and the water kept almost continuously on the rice, it being essential, of course, that there be some wash or lower tract into which the sur- plus water can be thrown. My idea is that it is this ex- cess of water that really does the chief work of improving the alkaline ground rather than the rice crop itself, but if a crop of rice can be raised toward the expense of re- claiming such land and bringing it into condition for use- fulness with other crops, the rice certainly justifies it- self." (Mason.) Osterdamia sp . (Poaceae.) 38177. Cuttings of a grass from the mountains near Tai an fu, Shantung, China. "A grass of low growth and of spreading habit, thriving to perfection on thin decomposed rock soil, along mountain paths where much tramping over takes place; also found on inclines where the mat of roots prevents the soil from be- ing washed out. Of decided value apparently as a bank, lawn and golf-course grass, especially for the drier parts of the United States." (Meyer's introduction.) Paeonia albiflora. (Ranunculaceae . ) 38339. Plants of herbaceous peonies from Tsaochou fu, Shantung, China. Among these are said to be yellow, green and black peonies. (Mever's introduction.) Crataegus pinnatifida . Chinese Haw Orchard. An orchard of Chinese Haw trees near Tai an fu, Shan- tung province, China. Trees of the Chinese haw which were grown from seeds sent in in 1906 by Mr. Frank N. Meyer are now growing in various localities in this country. As yet none of the imported varieties have fruited. The fact that good sized haw orchards are planted in China should en- courage American horticulturists to study our own haw • species and find out if they or the Chinese species are not worthy of orchard cultivation in this country. Photograph by F. N. Meyer, March 21, 1914. Cmtaegus pinnatifida . Chinese Haw Fruits. A superior variety of the large Chinese haw, from the markets of Tai-an- fu. They are there known as the large sour haw (Ta suan tsa) . Prom these fruits (shown natural size) is made a marmalade which is eaten extensively in North China. Samples of this marmalade imported by Mr. Meyer indicate that it is of very good quality. Photograph by F. N. Meyer, March 20, 1914, Tai-an-fu, Shantung, China. 773 PaeoTiia moid an . (Ranunculaceae . ) 38340. Plants of tree peonies from Tsaochou fu, Shantung, China. "Twelve rare varieties cf tree peonies, among which are said to be yel- low, blue, green, and black flowered ones. The soil best suited to these tree peonies is a loose porous, sandy loam, with perfect drainage and of great depth. In the district to the northwest of Tsao-chou one finds such soil and climatic conditions as seem to suit this peony to per- fection and the plants are grown there on fields as regular crops and are sent all over eastern China, going as far south as Canton, and as far north as Mukden to be used mainly for forcing purposes. There are said to be more than 300 varieties in cultivation here. The best time for transplanting is considered to be September, while propa- gation is effected through division. The plants require three and one-half feet distance in all directions to de- velop to perfection, while older plants need even 4-6 feet distance apart. At the approach of winter these peonies are covered over with some soil, which is taken away again in early March. This saves the flower buds from being winter-killed and reduces danger of damage by men or beasts, as the wood of the tree peony is quite brittle. It is thought that possibly an industry could be established in some suitaole section of the semi-arid southwestern United States, where the tree peony could be grown in large quantities, to supply florists with one of the most deco- rative flowers for winter forcing purposes." (Meyer's introduction. ) Paulou-nia fort-mid.' (Scrophulariaceae . ) 38184. Root cuttings from the village of Chin kao tchien, Honan, China. "A paulownia, planted here and there on sandy lands as a soil binder and a windbreak. The wood is of a very light nature and is used in the construction of light furniture, playthings for children, bowls, jars, etc. Of value as a soil binder and an ornamental park tree, especially for the mild wintered sections of the United States." (Meyer's introduction. ) » Puttied, gmiuitiun . (Punicaceae . ) 38185. Cuttings of a pomegranate from Tsaochou fu, Shantung, China. "A pome- granate, producing very large double flowers of a brilliant red color. No fruits are set. Chinese name, 'Hswang sheh liu hua, ' meaning 'Double flowered pomegranate.' Obtained from the garden of the Roman Catholic Mission." (Meyer's introduction. } Pijrus sincnsis. (Malaceae.) 38240-242, 38262-271, 38277- 278. Cuttings of pears from Shansi, Honan, and Shantung, China. Fifteen varieties, some of which are remarkable for their keeping qualities, and others of very large size, all of probable value for breeding work. (Meyer's introduction.) 774 Rollinia orthopctala. (Ann<5naceae . ) 38171. Seeds of the 'fruta de condessa' from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. "The 'fruta de condessa' (Countess's fruit) indigenous in the state of Rio de Janeiro, from whence the fruit is shipped to the markets of the capital and sold there at 100 to 400 reis (4-14 cents) apiece. In general form the fruit is conical to cordate, frequently 3 to 4 inches in diameter. The surface is covered with conical protuberances of vary- ing prominence, and is creamy yellow in color when the fruit is fully ripe. The skin is rather tough and not easily broken; it surrounds the milky white, somewhat muci- laginous flesh, in which the seeds are embedded. The flavor is somewhat insipid, but is evidently esteemed by the Brazilians as evidenced by the quantity of the fruit sold. The seeds are not as numerous as in many other annonaceous fruits, but are about the same size as those of the cherimoya. The fruit ripens in February and March in this region. Should be given a trial in Florida and southern California particularly as a stock for the cheri- moya and other choice annonaceous fruits." (Dorsett, Pope- noe, and Shamel introduction.) Rosa spp . (Rosaceae.) 38161-166. Seeds of roses from Ventimiglia, Italy. Presented by Dr. Alwln Berger, Curator, La Mortola Gardens. Six varieties of roses, as yet un- identified, from E. H. Wilson's collections in western China. Of probably value for rose breeders and for com- parative tests. Saccharwin narengaf (Poaceae.) 38257, 38332. Cuttings of sugar cane from Honan, China. Two numbers, one a very hardy variety of low sugar content, the other a mixture of varieties, of higher sugar content. Recommended for trial for molasses production, and also for fodder for milch cattle. (Meyer's introduction.) Salix sp . (Salica-ceae . ) 38233. Cuttings of a willow from the village of Tong dja pu, Shensi, China. "A willow, growing to be a tall tree, with a heavy trunk. The main branches are of erect growth and of dark green color, but the young twigs are slender and gracefully drooping and of a delicate yellowish color. A fine tree for parks, espe- cially when planted In a clump or as solitary specimens, where they can be seen from some distance." (Meyer's introduction. ) Zinziber officinale. (Zinziberaceae . ) 38180. Rhizomes of ginger from Feitcheng, Shantung, China. "A variety of ginger grown on sandy loam in the vicinity of Min yang to the south of Tai an fu. Much hawked about throughout Shan- 775 tung and retailing at from 10 to 12 cents Mexican per pound. It is much relished as a condiment in soups and with meat dishes and is considered to be very healthful, so much so in fact that Confucius advised his pupils to make ginger one of their relishes to be eaten daily. The Chinese plant the rhizomes as soon as the soil becomes warm and harvest the plants in the autumn after a light frost; the rhizomes are stored in cool dugouts and kept covered over with slightly moist sandy soil. Chinese name "Hsien Chiang', meaning 'Fresh ginger.1" (Meyer's introduction.) Ziziphus jujiiba. (Rhamnaceae . ) 38244-247, 38249-253, 38258-261. Scions of jujubes from Shansi and Konan, China. Thirteen varieties, all from regions heretofore unexplored horticulturally , and one with fruits said to be larger than ordinary hen's eggs. Some varieties preferably eaten fresh, others when put up in weak brandy. (Meyer's intro- duction. ) NOTES FROM CORRESPONDENTS ABROAD. Mr. 0 F. Cook writes from Coban, Guatemala, May 20, 1914: "At last we have reached a place accessible to a post-office, and can begin sending a few things. As I feared the Florida trip has made us too late for several things that could have been had in abundance in March and April. The cotton has been harvested for the most part, and we were not able to carry out the plan of making indi- vidual plant selections , and were obliged to content our- selves with seed in bulk. The hard shelled anona at Cahe- bin has a definite season in April, and no fruits or living seeds were to be had, but an American coffee planter has located here and I left some mailing tubes with him for next year, and with proper reminding in February or March these seeds could probably be had without serious difficulty as the trees are not rare about Cahebin. The tree is quite large and of upright habit, quite different from the other anonas. The leaves are thick, dark green and shining, like those of a magnolia. It is also said to be a free bearer, and the shell ic very hard. Another find not properly appreciated before is the green sapote, injerto, or roxtul as the Indians call it. This was described recently by Pittier as Calocarpum vit-idc but the generic name is a homo- nym and I have proposed Achradelpha to replace it. This new species is a much finer tree than the true sapote and ap- parently much better adapted to a cool climate. The foli- age is much heavier than that of the sapote and of a deeper green color, in form and general appearance not very unlike that of the loquat. But the trees grow to a large size and are very handsome. They take the place of the sapote al- together at the higher altitudes around Coban, though both trees are found in the Senabu and Cajabin districts. The 776 failure of the sapote to thrive in Florida need not exclude the green sapote, and a trial planting will be in order. We shall send some seeds by mail and keep others with us. They are like those of the true sapote, but smaller and in some varieties much shorter, for the fruits of the green sapote run through the same series of varietal forms as those of the sapodilla. The quality of the flesh is dis- tinctly superior to that of the true sapote, and much more likely to please the American palate. Anybody who likes papayas or Japanese persimmons might be expected to think favorably of the green sapote, for it comes distinctly into the same class of sweetish smooth-textured pulpy fruits. There is no astringency or unpleasant aftertaste whatever, so that one of the curing difficulties of the persimmon would be encountered. On the outside the fruits are a pleasing yellowish green color, more or less russeted at either end. The flesh inside is yellow, but with a reddish or brownish tinge, not as yellow as some of the Japanese persimmons, nor as dark as others. "At present we are busy with the pacaya palms which are grown here in great abundance, so that any amount of seed could be obtained. Some of the palms have four, five, or even six pacayas, as the edible male inflorescences are called, so that we did not over-estimate the amount of the fruit that might be produced in a successful planting. I feel confident that the palms would grow very well under hot house conditions such as Goar and Reasoner have, and would suggest that a planting be made on that basis at Miami, with the idea of leaving some of the palms to grow to maturity. They attain a height of 12 to 15 feet but fruit much younger, probably in the third or fourth year. "I might add that the roxtul or whatever it is to be called should have a chance in California as well as in Florida. Its climatic requirements should be much the same as those of the avocado. It is a much less tropical species than that of the true sapote." SCIENTIFIC STAFF OF THE OFFICE OF FOREIGN SEED AND PLANT INTRODUCTION OF THE BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. Washington Staff. David Fairchild, Agricultural Explorer in charge. P. H. Dorsett, Plant Introducer in charge of Plant Introduction Field Stations. Peter Bisset, Plant Introducer in charge of Foreign Plant Distribution. Frank N. Meyer and Wilson Popenoe, Agricultural Explorers. George W. Oliver, Plant Breeder and Propagator. H. C. Skeels, Botanical Assistant, in charge of Seed Collections and Office Herbarium. S. C. Stuntz, Botanical Assistant in charge of Explorers' Notes, Foreign Correspondence, and Publications. R. A. Young, Botanical Assistant, in charge of Dasheen Investi- gations . Staff of Field Stations. R. L. Beagles, Assistant Farm Superintendent in charge of Chico, Calif., Plant Introduction Field Station. H. Klopfer, Plant Propagator. J. M. Rankin, Assistant Farm Superintendent in charge of Rock- ville (Yarrow), Md . , Plant Introduction Field Station. Edward Goucher, Propagator. Edward Simmonds, Gardener and Field Station Superintendent in charge of Miami, Fla., Plant Introduction Field Station. W. H. F. Gomme, Assistant Farm Superintendent in charge of Brooks- ville, Fla., Plant Introduction Field Station. Collaborators. Mr. Aaron Aaronsohn, Haifa, Palestine. Mr. Thomas W.. Brown, Cairo, Egypt. Dr. Gustav Eisen, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, Calif. Mr E. C. Green, Coroata, Maranhao, Brazil. Mr' A'. G". Hartless, Saharanpur, India. Mr. H. Harold Hume, Glen St. Mary, Mr. Barbour Lathrop, Chicago, 111. Mr William S. Lyon, Manila, Philippine Islands. Mr'. William H. Raynes, Tallahassee, Fla. Mr' J F. Rock, Honolulu, Hawaii. Miss Eliza R. Scidmore, Yokohama, Japan. Mr Charles Simpson, Little River, la. ' \. rSSiu-n, Jamaica l.m Mass. L ¥ I Descriptive notes furnished mainly by Agricultural Explorers and Foreign Correspondents relative to such newly introduced plants as have arrived during the month at the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction of the Bureau of Plant Industry of the Department of Agri- culture. These descriptions are revised and published later in the Inventory of Plants Imported. Genera Represented in This Number. Acacia Achradelpha Amygdalus Belou Bombycodendron Canarium Cocops Cocos Coix Dillenia Dimocarpus Diospyros Eriobotrya Ferula Lactuca PLATES: 38524 38478 38469-470 38389 38486 38372 38588 38428-434 38473-476 38383-384 38374 38482 38496-497 38568 38633 38657 Mangif era Nunnezharia Passif lora Persea Reinhardtia Rhododendron Soja Zea 38379- 38387 38390- 38403- 38582 38373 38400- 38477 38549- 38578, 38583, 38638- 38558- 38413 38450- 38544 382 391 404 402 "• 564 38581 38587 640 540 462 Macauba palms. Minas Geraes, Brazil. The abiu, a Brazilian sapotaceous fruit. Bamboo windbreak at Lavras, Brazil. (NOTE: Applications for material listed in these multigraphed sheets may be made at any time to this Office. As they are received they are filed, and when the material is ready for the use of experimenters it is sent to those on the list of applicants who can show that pared to care for it, as well as to others cause of their special fitness to experiment ticular plants imported. One of the main objects of the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction is to secure material for plant experimenters, and it will undertake as far as possible to fill any specific requests for foreign seeds or plants from plant breeders or others interested.) they are pre- selected be- with the par- lafttar 778 Acacia verek. (Mimosaceae . ) 38524. Seed of the gum arable acacia from Khartoum, Sudan. Presented by Mr. S. A. Wood, Assistant Director of Forests, Department of Agri- culture and Forests. "This tree produces the true gum arable of commerce. It thrives best in a dry climate with a maximum rainfall of 21 inches and a dry period of no rain for several months. Any soil will suit it. The tree as it grows out here is fit for tapping in the fifth year after sowing." (Wood,) Acradelpha sp. (Sapotaceae . ) 38478-481, 38566. Seeds of the injerto from Coban and Guatemala City, Guatemala. Collected by Mr. 0. F. Cook, of this Bureau. "Another 'find' not properly appreciated before is the green sapote, injerto or raxtul as the Indians call it. This was de- scribed recently by Pittier as Calocarpum viride but the generic name is a homonym and I have proposed Achradelpha to replace it. This new species is a much finer tree than the true sapote and apparently much better adapted to a cool climate. The foliage is much heavier than that of the sapote and of a deeper green color, in form and general appearance not very unlike that of the loquat, but the trees grow to a large size and are very handsome. They take the place of the sapote altogether at the higher alti- tudes around Coban, although both trees are found in the Senshu and Cajabon districts. The failure of the sapote to thrive in Florida need not exclude the green sapote, and a trial planting will be in order. The seeds are like those of the true sapote, but smaller and in some varieties much shorter. The fruits of this green sapote run through the same series of varietal forms as those of the sapodilla. The quality of the flesh is distinctly superior to that of the true sapote, and much more likely to please the Ameri- can palate. Anybody who likes papaya or Japanese persim- mons might be expected to think favorably of the green sapofce, for it comes distinctly into the same class of sweetish, smooth, tender, pulpy fruits. There is no as- tringency or unpleasant aftertaste whatever, so that none of the curing difficulties of the persimmons would be en- countered. On the outside the fruits are a pleasing yel- lowish-green color, more or less russeted at either end. The flesh inside is yellow, but with a reddish or brownish tinge, not as yellow as some of the Japanese persimmons, nor as dark as others." (Cook.) Amygdalus persica. (Amygdalaceae . ) 38469-470. Seeds of peaches from Feitcheng, Shantung, China. The famous Fei peach and a large variety of flat peach said to be of light-red color, and very juicy and sweet. Chinese name 'Ta hong pien tao,' meaning 'large red flat peach.' (Meyer's introduction. ) 779 Below mannelos . (Rutaceae.) 38389. Plants of the bael fruit from Manila. Presented by Mr. H. T. Edwards, Direct- or of Agriculture, through Mr. Karry H. Boyle, Assistant Horticulturist. "Seedlings of a fruit obtained from a tree grown on the plaza of the largest pagoda in Slam which is situated in the town of Propatone. As this fruit v/as of a different type from the ordinary bael fruit it is thought that it might be of some value. The fruit is fully five inches in length and two and a half inches in width, more melon shape than pyriform." (Boyle.) Bombycodendroji vidalianum. (Malvaceae.) 38486. Seeds of the lanutan from Lamao, Bataan, Philippine Islands. Presented by Mr. P. J. Wester, Horticulturist in charge, Lamao Experiment Station. "Seeds of the lanutan, a tree valuable for its wood, and also quite ornamental with large white flowers with a red center, shaped like those of the tropical Hibiscus rosa-sinensis , and about 7 inches in diame- ter. It is probably too tender for Florida." (Wester.) Canariwm, sp. (Burseraceae. ) 38372. Plants of the plli nut from Manila. Presented by Mr. H. T. Edwards, Director of Agriculture, through Mr. Harry H. Boyle, Assistant Hor- ticulturist. "Trees of this nut are found growing in the various islands of southern Luzon, in the province of Al- bay. The leaves are compound, and the fruit is a triangu- lar drupe containing one seed. The nuts are eaten quite extensively in the islands and throughout the Far East. From them an oil is extracted which is used for the table and also for burning in lamps. This nut, to my notion, is the best I have ever eaten. During the past two years quite a number of shipments of this nut have been made to San Francisco and they find a ready market. A gum, that resembles in properties the copaiba balsam, is extracted from the bark." (Boyle.) Cocos rivalis. (Phoenicaceae . ) 38588. Plants of a palm from Mayaguez, Porto Rico. Presented by Mr. W. E. Hess, Agricultural Experiment Station. "The rarest and prettiest of Porto Rico palms. This species greatly resembles in habit and appearance Geonoina gracilus but has more leaflets. At its type location it is growing on the bank of a stream with its roots in the water and in another location some 8 miles distant in an apparently dry limestone ravine. There are probably not more than a couple of dozen specimens left and among these less than half a dozen fruiting trees; be- ing of little value to the natives, when large enough they are cut down for fence posts." (Hess.) Cocos nucifera. (Pheonicaceae. ) 38428-434. Seeds of seven varieties of coconuts from Pago Pago, American Samoa. Presented by Commander C. D. Stearns, Governor. Among 780 these varieties are some especially good for copra, others suitable for confectionery, and another usually picked green as the husk is considered of more value for manu- facturing twine than is the fruit for copra making. Coix lacryma-jobi . (Poaceae.) 38473-476. Seed of four varieties of Job's-tears from the Northern Shan States, Burma. Presented by Mr. H. G. Carter, Economic Botanist to the Botanical Survey of India, Indian Museum, Calcutta. This species is extensively cultivated by the native tribes of eastern India, Burma, Assam, southern China, and Malaya, and supplies a food product much appreciated es- pecially in famine years, being parched, boiled or ground into flour. The seeds are used as beads in the industries of the natives but the hardness and high polish of shell are lost in cultivation so that only wild forms may be used. Dillenia spp . (Dilleniaceae . ) 38383-384. Plants from Manila. Presented by Mr. H. T. Edwards, Director of Agri- culture, through Mr. Harry H. Boyle, Assistant Horti- culturist. Two species of ornamental shade trees, the fruits of which are eaten with fish by the natives. Dimocarpus sp . (Sapindaceae . ) 38374. Plants from Manila. Presented by Mr. H. T. Edwards, Director of Agri- culture, through Mr. Harry H. Boyle, Assistant Horti- culturist. "Undoubtedly a new species, closely allied to the longan, found in the mountains of Cavite province near the town of Silang, P. I. The trees are one and one-half feet in diameter, and from 50 to 60 feet in height. The fruit has a remarkably sweet flavor, and the pulp is semi- transparent. It is greatly prized by all who eat it." (Boyle. ) Diospyros IcaM. (Ebenaceae.) 38482. Cuttings of a per- simmon from Sunnylands, Bermuda. Presented by Mr. Theo- dore Outerbridge, through Mr. Peter Bisset of this Office. "A variety bearing annually about 50 staminate flowers to one pistillate. It should therefore prove a valuable pollinator for planting in orchards of kaki persimmons, if the plants maintain this feature, as up to the present a great loss of fruit is sustained yearly in these orchards from lack of pollination. The fruit borne by the parent tree is said to be of good size and quality." (Bisset.) Eriobotnja japonica. (Malaceae.) 38496-497. Seeds of loquats from Naples and Boscotrecase , Italy, and from Algiers, Algeria. Presented by Dr. Gustav Eisen, and Dr. L. Trabut , respectively. The three varieties are de- scribed: "38496. Seeds of a large plum-shaped loquat from Nanles. Verv early, ripe April 1. Extraordinarily sweet; A. GROUP OF MACAUBA PALMS NEAR SAO JOAO D ' EL REY. ( L Icrocomia intumescens .' ) This beautiful palm is one of the features of the landscape in the interior of Minas Geraes. Its trunk is armed with long black spines. The leaves are of a glaucous green color, graceful and attractive in appearance, and seem to resist a great deal of thrashing about by the wind. In this photograph a small group is seen growing on a hillside overlooking the city of Sao Joao d'El Rey , at an altitude of more than 800 meters. The species is found at considerably greater altitudes than this, which leads to the belief that it may be hardy enough to succeed in California and Florida. Photo No. 1538 by Brazilian Ex- pedition, taken at Sao Joao d'El Rey, Minas Geraes. Brazil. Jan. 27, 1914. V FRUITS OF THE MACAUBA PALM. In the vicinity of towns many of the palms are cut to obtain the tender, white terminal bud, which is boiled and eaten as a vegetable. The fruit clusters are very large, sometimes weighing 60 or 70 pounds. Surrounding the hard seed in the center of each fruit is a thick layer of white, woody flesh which is very nutritious. Because of its in- sipid flavor it is not commonly eaten by the natives, but is used to fatten hogs with, for which purpose it is con- sidered excellent. It also contains an oil, which is some- times expressed in small quantities and used for lubri- cating. Photo No. 1294, by Brazilian Expedition, taken at Lavras, Minas Geraes, Jan. 22, 1914. 781 seeds variable and not in conformity with the fruit. This is the earliest in the market and quite remarkable as to size and quality." (Eisen. ) "38497. Giant loquat. Very finest quality and largest size. Of bright deep orange color, seeds round. The tree is said to be an enormous bearer and of the very best quality. Ripe from May 1 to 24." (Eisen.) "38568. Tanaka loquat. An excellent variety with very firm flesh of a yellow color. Stands transportation for a period of one week. In Algeria the seeds give varieties superior to the original type, fur- nishing interesting varieties for the market." (Trabut.) Ferula sp. (Apiaceae.) 38633. Roots of asafoetida from Meshed, Persia. Presented by Mr. Craig W. Wadsworth, American Consul-General , Teheran, Persia. "Ferula, which produces the asafoetida of commerce, grows in the vicinity of Meshed and Herman. I was unable to obtain seed from the former place, but one of the missionaries at Meshed, with the assistance of the British Consul, succeeded in obtaining these roots." (Wadsworth.) Lactuca sativa. (Cichoriaceae. ) 58657." Lettuce seeds from Manila. Presented by Mr. 0. W. Barrett, Chief, Division of Horticulture, through Mr. Harry H. Boyle, Assistant Horticulturist. "I have grown many varieties of lettuce and worked with a number of hybrids produced in the Department. If my memory serves me well there is not one variety or one hybrid which will equal this lettuce when grown properly. It strongly resembles a cross be- tween Grand Rapids and Golden Queen, a semi-open and semi- heading variety. During its young stages of growth it has the brightest golden color of any lettuce I know of. This character alone would make it especially valuable for gar- nishing dishes. Aside from this it is a very good table lettuce. This was obtained from Macao, a Portuguese pos- session on the coast of China, sent to the Manila Bureau of Agriculture by Mr. Soares, Hongkong, China." (Boyle.) Mangifera spp. ( Anacardiaceae . ) 38379-382, 38387, 38390-391. Mango plants from Manila. Presented by Mr. H. T. Edwards, Director of Agriculture, through Mr. Harry H. Boyle, Assistant Horticulturist. Seven varieties of mangos, including several unidentified varieties of good fruiting quality from the Buitenzorg Gardens, Cochin China, which is one of the best varieties of that country, and the carabao and pico, the best and second best Philip- pine varieties. Nunnezliaria pacaya. (Pheonicaceae . ) 38403-404, 38582. Seeds and plants of the salad palm from Coban, and San Antonio, Guatemala. Collected by Mr. 0. F. Cook of this 782 Bureau. "Pacaya palms are grown here in great abundance so that any amount of seed could be obtained. Some of the palms have four five or even six pacayas, as the edible male inflorescences are called. I feel confident that the palms would grow very well under slat house conditions, and would suggest that a planting be made on that basis at Miami, with the idea of leaving some of the palms to grow to maturity. They attain a height of 12 to 15 feet, but fruit much younger, possibly in the third or fourth year." (Cook.) Passiflora laurifolia. (Passif loraceae . ) 38373. Plants of passion fruit from Manila. Presented by Mr. H. T. Edwards, Director of Agriculture, through Mr. Harry H. Boyle, Assistant Horticulturist. "An edible variety ob- tained from Mr. P. Morange, Director, Saigon Botanic Gar- dens, Cochin China. The fruit is a bright yellow color, pear-shaped, about the size of the ordinary pear tomato, and very similar to it in appearance. There is extracted from the leaves a bitter substance which is employed to counteract Intermittent fever." (Boyle.) Persea americana . (Lauraceae.) 38400-402, 38477, 38549- 564, 38578, 38581, 38583, 38587, 38638-640. Scions and seeds of avocados from Coban, Antigua, and Guatemala City, Guatemala. Collected by Mr. 0. F. Cook, of this Bureau. "The avocado season is much too far along now (in May and June) to do satisfactory work. In most places the season is completely over but at the higher altitudes a few fruits are still in the market, as yet none of a quality to particularly recommend them. It is the late varieties of these countries that we want. The early varieties ripen in August and September, the others in December, etc., and as the colder places are reached the crop goes around into the spring months." (Cook.) Twenty-seven varieties of hard-shelled avocados. Reiiilmrdtia spp . (Phoenicaceae . ) 38538-540. Seeds of a palm from Livingston, Guatemala. Collected by Mr. 0. F. Cook. "A small palm 10-15 feet high; trunk 4 inches thick, bearing large clusters of coral red fruits about the size of thorn apples (Crataegus) and having exactly the same taste." (Cook.) Rhododendron dauricum. (Ericaceae.) 38413. Seeds of a rhododendron from Novospasskoe , Russia. Presented by Mr. A. Woeikoff, Director, Bureau of Acclimatization. "Tuis purple-f lowered Rhododendron is a native of Dahuria, Manchuria, and Sachalin, and coming from a cold region, a spell of mild weather in midwinter causes It to begin to open its flowers very early in this country (England); \ ; \ THE ABIU, A POPULAR BRAZILIAN FRUIT. This valuable fruit is produced by the abieiro, or abiu-tree (pronounced ah-bee-u), botanically Pouteria caimito (R. & P.) Radlk., commonly cultivated in gardens about Rio de Janeiro and to a less extent at Bahia. The tree is up- right, pyramidal in form, of small size and handsome ap- pearance. The fruit ripens in February and March; exter- nally it is deep yellow in color, occasionally overspread with green around the base. The flesh is white, trans- lucent, melting in texture and of a sweet, bland flavor strongly resembling that of the sapodilla. The abiu is eaten while fresh, without cooking or preparation in any way. It is highly esteemed by all classes of Brazilians, ana specimens such as the ones shown above sell in the markets of Bahia for the equivalent of three cents each. It should be given a trial in southern California and Florida. Photo No. 2105, by Brazilian Expedition, taken at Bahia, Brazil, March 3, 1914. A BAMBOO WINDBREAK AT LAVRAS , BRAZIL. This magnificent planting of bamboo surrounds the experimental farm of the Institute Evangelico at Lavras, in the state of Minas Geraes. The species is believed to be an introduced one, as are several other bamboos which are widely grown and utilized in Brazil. As well as pro- tecting the enclosed plantation from the wind, it serves as a source of material for the manufacture of baskets, chicken coops, fences, and particularly cheese crates, of which quantities are used in the dairying regions of Minas Geraes. Photo No. 1495, by Brazilian Expedition, taken at Lavras, Minas Geraes, Brazil, Jan. 22, 1914. 783 therefore they often fall a prey to frost before they can expand. Nevertheless it is a good kind of plant, for in those seasons when it does escape injury it adds a bril- liant touch of color to the garden at a very dull season. There are several forms of the plant, some having decidu- ous leaves, and in other cases the leaves are evergreen or sub-evergreen." (The Garden, Jan. 11, 1913.) Soja max. (Fabaceae.) 38450-462. Seeds of the soy- bean from Sianfu, Shensi, China. Thirteen varieties of this important Chinese crop plant, hitherto called Glycine Idspida in the Office publications. Mr. C. -V. Piper has recently shown that the name should be Soja max and we have listed the introductions here to direct attention to the change. (Meyer's introductions.) Zea mays. (Poaceae.) 38544. Ears of corn from the Upper Gy Parana River, Brazil. Collected by Mr. Leo E. Miller, of New York, collector for the Roosevelt Brazilian Expedition. "Corn received from the 'Pauetes' or 'Fowetes1 Indians on the Upper Gy Parana (Machabo) River, Brazil. This tribe of Indians was absolutely unknown. I was the first person to come into contact with them. The Gy Parana flows into the Madeira." (Miller.) NOTES FROM CORRESPONDENTS ABROAD. Rev. W. M. Kayes writes from Tsingchowfu, Shantung, China, May 25, 1914. "I do not know whether Mr. Meyer, when through this section, secured specimens of the Chinese winter pear or not. We are eating them on the table every day now, and they will last some time yet. This variety is really not ripe until the next spring after it is picked, and while not as luscious as a good apple, yet it fills a vacancy in April and May very acceptably. As you know that is a season when the housewives find it diffi- cult to provide for the table. "Thanks for what you say about "peach grafting: the Chinese bud too, but they find grafting more satisfactory because it gives quicker results. They do not use grafting wax, but use a heavy ball of clay, as much as they can make adhere to the limb, and tie it on with a species of tough pliant leaves. I find that oiled paper though will do equally well. Tue point in wrapping the clay with the leaves is to keep it from being washed away in the rains. If the season should be a prolonged dry one, which we are very liable to have here in the spring, then they tear off the top of the wrapping and pour in water enough to mois- ten the clay again." Mr. Frank N. Meyer writes from Peking, China, June 4, 1914, suggesting the following tentative itinerary for the coming year. Certain changes in it will no doubt be nee- 784 essary but in the main he will, it is hoped, be able to carry out this plan. "My plans for leaving for western China are assuming the following shape: from Peking to Chang to fu, in Northern Honan, by train. Then by carts to Lin hsien; here in the neighboring mountains many rare trees are said to abound, like Pinus burigea/ia, various conifers and others. "Prom Lin hsien by pack animals through the wild mountains, to Pai hsiang chen (Shansi) where these large jujubes are cultivated. Here I will try to get photos of green fruits and the orchards in leaf, though it may be too early yet. "Prom Pai hsiang chen, we will move on to Sianfu, Shensi. Then probably by the southern route over Pong slang fu to Chow tien (N. Szechuan) . Then along the Hei shin ho (black water stream) to Kiai , trying to collect wild peaches (A. persica var. potanini) and almonds which occur there. "From Kiai we may go over Siho and Titao to Lanchowfu, Kansu. "From Lanchowfu I may go to Sining and return by way of Chobsen and Chetertou to Lanchowfu again, passing through regions rich in forests and where Przewalski collected many novelties. "In late winter (1914) or early spring, 1915, I may leave Lanchowfu, and go by way of Titao, Minchow, Siku, Kungala pass (19000 ft. alt.) to Sungpan (Szechuan). Prom there to Chengtu and Chungking. Then along the Yang tse Kiang over Wan hsien and Tchang to Hankow. In Szechuan and Hupeh I will make special enquiries regarding woodnut- oil problems and bamboo-manufacture. In May 1915 I may again be in Peking and then leave for America, arriving in Washington possibly before the fiscal year has expired. "The problems to which special attention will be paid on this coming journey are those connected with jujubes, persimmons, wild peaches, and other wild fruits, bamboos and wood-oil trees. Of course, as usual, I will stumble across lots of things too interesting not to bag them also. "There are several dark clouds hanging over these proposed journeys. The worst is the brigandage out in N. W. China. Powerful bands of these rascals are still operating in Kansu especially, and at times I am consider- ably worried by the accounts one finds in the papers. I would hate to lose my whole outfit in an encounter with these scoundrels. "Another problem is the money question. Will I be able to finance the thing properly? We will try and see and when I do not get robbed, I think we will be able to manage it alright. "The third difficulty is the one that is always with one, viz., will my new interpreter prove to be up to our desires? All we can do is to hope for the best." SCIENTIFIC STAFF OF THE OFFICE OF FOREIGN SEED AND PLANT INTRODUCTION OF THE BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. Washington Staff. David Fairchild, Agricultural Explorer in charge. P. H. Dorsett, Plant Introducer in charge of Plant Introduction Field Stations. Peter Bisset, Plant Introducer in charge of Foreign Plant Distribution. Frank N. Meyer and Wilson Popenoe, Agricultural Explorers. George W. Oliver, Plant Breeder and Propagator. H. C. Skeels, Botanical Assistant, in charge of Seed Collections and Office Herbarium. S. C. Stuntz, Botanical Assistant in charge of Explorers' Notes, Foreign Correspondence, and Publications. R. A. Young, Botanical Assistant, in charge of Dasheen Investi- gations . Staff of Field Stations. R. L. Beagles, Assistant Farm Superintendent in charge of Chico, Calif., Plant Introduction Field Station. H. Klopfer, Plant Propagator. J. M. Rankin, Assistant Farm Superintendent in charge of Rock- ville (Yarrow) , Md . , Plant Introduction Field Station. Edward Goucher, Propagator. Edward Simmonds, Gardener and Field Station Superintendent in charge of Miami, Fla. , Plant Introduction Field Station. W. H. F. Gomme, Assistant Farm Superintendent in charge of Brooks- ville, Fla., Plant Introduction Field Station. Collaborators. Mr. Aaron Aaronsohn, Haifa, Palestine. Mr. Thomas W. Brown, Cairo, Egypt. Dr. Gustav Eisen, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, Calif. Mr. E. C. Green, Coroata, Maranhao , Brazil. Mr. A. C. Hartless, Saharanpur, India. Mr. H. Harold Hume, Glen St. Mary, Fla. Mr. Barbour Lathrop, Chicago, 111. Mr. William S. Lyon, Manila, Philippine Islands. Mr. William H. Raynes, Tallahassee, Fla. Mr. J. F. Rock, Honolulu, Hawaii. Miss Eliza R. Scidmore, Yokohama, Japan. Mr. Charles Simpson, Little River, Fla. Dr. L. Trabut , Algiers, Algeria. Mr. E. H. Wilson, Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain, Mass. L T H T Descriptive notes furnished mainly by Agricultural Explorers and Foreign Correspondents relative to such newly introduced plants as have arrived during the month at the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction of the Bureau of Plant Industry of the Department of Agri- culture. These descriptions are revised and published later in the Inventory of Plants Imported . Genera Represented in This Number. Allium Beta Brassica Capsicum Coix Cucurbita Daucus Dendrocalamus Escallonia Gleditsia Hordeum Lespedeza 38787 38883 38782-783 38788 38868-880 38884 38786 38736 38759 38800-802 38885-887 38808-09 Ligustrum Mangif era Panax Plagianthus Prunus Syringa Thuja Toona Vitis 38807 38981 38742-751 38969 . 38761 38778 38856 38978 38828-830 38797 38805 38853 PLATES: Green Fruited Rubus from Brazil. The Manga da Rosa or Rose Mango. A Scene on the Banks of the Rio Sao Francisco. The Imbu tree (Spondias tubcrosa) at home. (NOTE: Applications for material listed in these multigraphed sheets may be made at any time to this Office. As they are received they are filed, and when the material is ready for the use of experimenters it is sent uo those on the list of applicants who can show that they are pre- pared to care for it, as well as to others selected be- cause of their special fitness to experiment with the par- ticular plants imported. One of the main objects of the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction is to secure material for plant experimenters, and it will undertake as far as possible to fill any specific requests for foreign seeds or plants from plant breeders or others interested.) 786 Alliwm, schoenoprasum . (Liliaceae.) 38787. Seeds of chives from Sianfu, Shensi, China. "A superior variety of chives, much used, forced in darkness, as a winter vege- table. Eaten with fried meats and as a savory in soups; considered to be very healthful. Might possibly be a profitable crop in America when supplied to the Hebrew and Chinese colonies in eastern American cities. Chinese name 'Tcho tsal'." (Meyer's introduction.) Beta vulgaris . (Chenopodiaceae . ) 38883. Seeds of beet from Esperanza, Sonora, Mexico. Presented by Mr. W. W. Mackie, Director, Yaqui Valley Experiment Station. "Gath- ered in Merv, Transcaspia, Turkestan, in 1911. These seeds came from selections out of three years of crops during which time, I have had them under observation. The climate for the first part of the year in the Yaqui Valley is very similar to the summer of Turkestan where I ob- tained these seeds. The beets produced from these seeds are very vigorous, hardy and drought resistant. The leaves are large and tender and are much used for greens in Turkestan. The flesh is tender, sweet and light red color. The root grows to an immense size, and is eaten greedily by stock. For three seasons this beet has regu- larly produced an abundance of plump seeds of high viabil- ity in June from seeds planted in the preceding fall. This seeding of beets the first year from seed sometimes occurs at intervals in individuals when subjected to drought and again irrigated, thus starting a new or second growth but this Turkestan beet produces seed from every beet reg- ularly in June ." (Mackie .) Brassica pekinensis . (Brassicaceae . ) 38782-783. Seeds of Chinese cabbage or pai-tsai, from Shantung, China. Two varieties, one "a remarkably fine one, of very white color and possessing a mild, sweet flavor, weighing up to 10 pounds apiece," the other "of conical shape, leaves green- ish-white, very soft and tasteful when boiled or stewed. Chinese name 'Ta pal tsai1, meaning 'large white vege- table'." (Meyer's introductions.) Capsicum annuum. (Solanaceae . ) 38788. Seeds of red pepper from eltcheng, Shantung, China. "A very elongated variety of Chili pepper, locally much dried and kept for winter use. Is used as a condiment in soups and with noodles, when ground up and mixed with sesame oil and a little salt, creating a good appetite in that way. Chi- nese name 'Chang lo chiao,' meaning 'long chili pepper'." (Meyer's introduction.) Coix spp. (Poaceae.) 38868-880. Seed of thirteen varieties of Job's-tears from Burma. Presented by Mr. 787 H. G. Carter, Economic Botanist to the Botanical Survey of India. Among these are the principal varieties used by the Burmese natives as food grains, for the manufacture of flour, and parched. Introduced for the work of the Office of Forage Crop Investigations. Cucurbita pepo . (Cucurbitaceae . ) 38884. Pumpkin seeds from Esperanza, Sonora, Mexico. Presented by Mr. W. W. Mackie, Director Yaqui Valley Experiment Station. "Gather- ed in Merv, Transcaspia, in 1911. These seeds came from selections out of three years of crops during which time I have had them under observation. When planted in March immense crops were produced in June. With the beginning of the rainy season in July another crop is planted pro- ducing fine crops in December. The soil is a dark red clay. Other pumpkins do not produce such good crops nor do they so well withstand the heat and drought. The rind is hard and greenish in color. It is a good keeper last- ing for months in this warm climate." (Mackie.) Daucus carota. (Apiaceae.) 38786. Seeds of carrot from Sianfu, Shensi, China. "A long blood-red carrot of special value for pickling purpose on account of its at- tractive color. Thrives best on deep, rich, sandy soils which retain moisture well. Chinese name 'Hong tiao lo ba, ' meaning 'red stick root.'" (Meyer's introduction.) Dendrocalamus hcuniltonii . (Poaceae.) 38736. Seeds of a bamboo from Darj'eeling,, India. Collected by Mr. L. J. Mackintosh at the request of Mr. J. F. Rock, collaborator of this Office. "A common bamboo in the eastern Himalaya from Kumaon to Assam. It is generally a tall grass 40 to 60 feet in height, but sometimes found as a long and tan- gled bush. The young shoots are used as food, being boiled and eaten in Sikkim, Bhutan, and Assam. The halms are large, 3 to 6 inches in diameter, rather hollow and not always straight, but they are used for every variety of purpose. The bamboo grows gregariously on hillsides up to 3000 feet. This bamboo is used by some tea planters for shading their estates from the hot and violent winds. This bamboo flowers every year which is not the case with all others of this genus." (Watt, Dictionary of Economic Products of India.) Escallonia pterocladon. (Saxif ragaceae . ) 38759. Seeds from the Royal Botanic Garden, Kew, England. Presented by the Director. "A small, decidedly hardy, much branched shrub native of western Patagonia, four or five feet high with spreading branches. It is a bushy plant with leaves like a small-leaved myrtle, and abundant very pretty Epac- ris-like, fragrant flowers tinged with red. The old wood 788 is clothed with loose, cracked papyraceous bark and the branches are straight, rigid, singularly angled and winged with vertical alae , which are sinuate and downy or fringed at the edge." (Curtis 's Botanical Magazine, no. 4827.) Gleditsia sinensis . (Caesalpiniaceae . ) 38800-802. Seeds of three varieties of Chinese soap-bean. "These Chinese Gleditsias often grow to a very large size, becoming quite old and at times making beautiful, well rounded heads of dense branches and foliage. The conspicuous pods persist on the trees all through the winter. They are marvelously drought resistant and do not object to a certain amount of alkali. Recommended as an ornamental park and shade tree for the mild-wintered, semi-arid sections of the United States. The Chinese find use for the pods, when sliced up, as a substitute for soap for washing their hair and certain fabrics. Chinese name 'Tsao chio.' The young trees often have their trunks covered with big spines which often have totally disappeared when the trees are old," (Meyer's introductions.) Hordeum sp . (Poaceae.) 38885. Seed of barley from Esperanza, Sonora, Mexico. Presented bv Mr. W. W. Mackie, Director Yaqui Valley Experiment Station. "White Turkestan barley gathered in Merv, Transcaspia, in 1911. These seeds came from selections out of three years of crops during which time I have had them under observation. The Wahl-Henius Institute of Fermentology , to which a quantity of the seed was sent report as follows: 'The barley it- self is of the 6-rowed nutans type and has a marked flesh- colored aleurone layer, such as is characteristic of bar- leys of Asiatic origin, in fact, the flesh colored appear- ance is more pronounced than we have ever noticed in any similar barley before. This barley really is strange to us. It is Irregular in size and form, and has a very low albumen content1 (due no doubt to the skinning off of the germ or embryo by too close threshing). 'The taste and flavor are remarkably agreeable. If any of this barley is malted, we should be pleased to receive a five-pound sample of the malt. If this barley could possibly be grown on a rich nitrogenous soil, so that the albumen content could be increased to about 13$, it, in our opinion, would be by far the best barley for malting purposes among the ten samples you sent.' Our field tests show this barley to be very vigorous and hardy with splendid germination. In height it is about 20 to 30% shorter than the common Cali- fornia 6-rowed barley but produces thicker and longer heads. It is nearly three weeks earlier in maturing, in other words it is a quick growing variety. On account of its propensity to rust I would advise that it be planted inland away from the influence of the sea coast and fogs. A GREEN FRUITED RUBUS PROM BRAZIL. This species, Rubus brasili^Jisis Mart., occurs in the Highlands of Minas Geraes, where it was collected in 1914 by the Dorsett, Shamel and Popenoe Expedition. The plant grows to a height of six or more feet, and produces its fruits in clusters of good size. It is called by the natives, amora, a name which properly belongs to the mul- berry but is also applied to Rubus rosaefolius as well as the species here shown. The fruits are translucent yel- lowish-green when ripe, sweet and agreeable in flavor but rather seedy. For breeders of rubiaceous fruits this species may be of interest and value. Brazilian Expedition Photo No. D 1579, taken at Sitio, Brazil, Jan. 28, 1914. THE MANGA DA ROSA, OR ROSE MANGO. (Natural size . ) This unusually beautiful mango, supposed originally to have, come from Mauritius, is cultivated on a commercial scale at Pernambuco, and to a less extent in Bahia and other coastal towns of Brazil. It is and perhaps not equal in flavor to some gos now growing in Florida, but its ance, excellent keeping and shipping for it great popularity. In color it somewhat fibrous, of the Indian man- attractive appear- qualities have won is deep apricot , overlain with varying shades of salmon and flame scarlet around the basal end. The flesh is deep yellow in color, juicy, and of a very agreeable flavor. Large quantities are shipped from Pernambuco to Rio de Janeiro and sold there at 65 to 80 cents each. It is one of the few vari- eties in Brazil which are propagated by inarching. Bra- zilian Expedition Photograph No. D 1210, taken at Rio, January 2, 1914. 789 It appears to be entirely suited to the arid irrigated regions of the Southwest. All our grains are grown en- tirely without rain by the aid of irrigation even to sprouting the seed. White Turkestan yields far better than any other variety tested." (Mackie.) Lespedeza spp. (Pabaceae.) 38808-809. Seeds from Ta Hua shan, Shensi, China. Two shrubby Lespedezas, "found on rocky mountain sides at elevations from 3000 to 4000 feet above sea level. Of possible value for forage pur- poses and as a cover shrub on sandy wastes." (Meyer's introductions. ) Ligustrum quihoui. (Oleaceae.) 38807. Seeds of a privet from the mountains near Nan to tchu, Shensi, China. "A privet found in rocky banks and in between pebbles and rocks, growing into a small or medium-sized bush. Bears masses of small black berries, that set off well with the small evergreen foliage. Is much utilized by the Chinese to graft Olea fragrans upon. Of value as a hedge and border shrub, especially for the mild-wintered, semi-arid parts of the United States. Chinese name 'Tung ching, ' meaning 'Wintergreen. ' " (Meyer's introduction.) Mangifera, indica. (Anacardiaceae . ) 38981. Cuttings of a mango from Santiago de las Vegas, Cuba. Collected by Mr. Wilson Popenoe, of this Office. "Luisa, a mango of the Philippine type, of which the parent tree is growing in the Casa Vivienda garden at the Central Nueva Luisa, Jovellanes, Matanzas province. Scions have been taken from the original tree and propagated by Mr. A. H. Van Hermann of this place from whom these cuttings were ob- tained. The Philippine mangos as found here in Cuba are an entirely distinct race from the other mangos grown on the island. The type can be distinguished from the others grown here by the pale, grayish mahogany color of the young leaves, the venation of the leaves, the slender com- pressed fruits, terminating in a sharp point at the apex, and the thin husk which surrounds the seed. The Cecil mango of Miami, Florida, is a representative of this race and exhibits the characteristics which are noticeable here in Cuba. The race is believed originally to have come from the Philippines. While there is remarkably little variation among the seedlings of this race there are fre- quently noticeable differences in the size, brightness of color and flavor of the fruit. Luisa is described by Prof. F. S. Earle, who was, I believe, the first to observe it, as a fruit 4 to 5 inches in length, dull yellowish green in color with little fiber and remarkably good flavor. It is considered by Prof. Earle the best mango of the Philippine type which he has seen." (Popenoe.) 790 Panax quinquefolium . (Araliaceae . ) 38742-751. Seeds of ten varieties of ginseng from China. Presented by His Excellency Ts'ao Ju-lin, twice Minister for Foreign Affairs, through Dr. Paul S. Reinsch, American Minister, Pekin, at the request of Mr. Frank N. Meyer. Wild and cultivated varieties from Shengking province, Manchuria. Plagianthus lietulinus . (Malvaceae.) 38969. Seeds from Epsom, Auckland, New Zealand. Presented by Mr. D. Petrie. "A tree, varying from 30 to 60 feet in height, with termi- nal panicles of white flowers. The young shrub forms a mass of tortuous interlacing branches." (Laing and Black- well, Plants of New Zealand.) "This tree is from the southern part of our colony and should be hardy enough for your lowlands. The tree is dioecious and it would be in- teresting to note how many turn out male and how many fe- male. The tree naturally grows on alluvial flats and by the side of streams that meander through such stations. I doubt if it would thrive anywhere else." (Petrie.) Prunus arjneniaca . (Amygdalaceae . ) 38778, 38978. Seeds of an apricot from Somma Vesuviana, Italy. Presented by Dr. Gustav Eisen, Rome. "Pelese apricot. Size large, slightly ovoid. Deep crease between the cheeks, one of which is larger than the other. Skin smooth, without spots. Color, orange chrome, with carmine flush. Seed medium, with a small projection or hump. Flesh very firm, ripens evenly all around and shows no unripe side. Flavor very fine. Sweetness medium (the specimen having been picked while unripe.) Leaves pointed. I consider this apricot one of the finest if not the finest I have come across. It should be a splendid shipper, and if the sweetness is increased by allowing the fruit to ripen more, it should prove a very desirable table fruit, supe- rior to the Royal. An average fruit displaced 53 cubic cm. water, when immersed in a graduate." (Eisen.) Prunus sargenti. (Amygdalaceae.) 38761. Seeds from the Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain, Mass. Presented by the Director, Dr. C. S. Sargent. "This species is con- sidered by Wilson valuable as a stock for Japanese cher- ries . " (Sargent . ) Prunus tojnentosa. (Amygdalaceae.) 38856. Seeds from Pekin, China. About 125 pounds of stones of the north Chinese bush-cherry, a fruiting shrub of great promise for the cooler, semi-arid sections of the United States. Chi- nese name ' Suan tau'r' or ' Suan ying tau'r,' meaning 'sour cherry.'" (Meyer's introduction.) A SCENE IN THE VALLEY OF THE RIO SAO FRANCISCO. This photograph, which was taken near the village of Urubu, in the state of Bahia, a short distance from the river, shows the general character of this upland region, with its flat plains sparsely covered with vegetation, and occasional round topped hills. The compact shrubs in the foreground, on one of which clothes have been hung to dry, are Aimona spinescens t a rare, spiny species whose soft, oval, brownish-orange fruits were previously unknown to science. The dugout canoe is the chief means of transpor- tation in this region, though communication with the out- side world is maintained through the small river steamers which ply between Joazelro, in Bahia state, and Pirapora, 1300 kilometers upstream in Minas Geraes. The people are of a mixed Indian and negro blood, unprogressive , with only the hoe, the brush hook, and the facao or heavy knife to carry on their agricultural pursuits, which are limited to the cultivation of mandioca, maize, sugar cane, and a few other crops. Brazilian Expedition photograph No. D 1916. Taken February 17, 1914. THE IMBU TREE AT HOME. In the dry interior of northeastern Brazil the imbu (Spondias tuberosa Arruda) - is one of the most important fruits. The tree grows wild throughout the dry lands or catingas and produces abundant crops of golden yellow fruits the size of a plum. It can nearly always be dis- tinguished from other plants on the catinga, even at a distance, by its broad, spreading form. The specimen here shown is growing near the town of Bom Fiin, in Bahia state. A native has taken advantage of the shelter from the sun's rays offered by this tree and built his hut close to the trunk. Brazilian Expedition Photo No. D 2097, taken at Bom Fim, Bahia, Feb. 27, 1914. 791 Syringa spp. (38828-830. Seeds of lilacs from Shensi, China. One "A tree lilac, found in great masses here and there on rocky mountain slopes, at elevations between 3000 and 5000 feet above sea level. Of value as a stock for 'standard' lilacs and for hybridization purposes." An- other "A small lilac of very sturdy growth, found in rocky cliffs at elevations from 4000 to 6000 feet. Of value for the northern sections of the United States as a garden and park shrub." (Meyer's introductions.) Tliuja orientalis. (Pinaceae.) 38797. Seeds of arbor- vitae from Chao yi hsien, China. "A remarkable form of the oriental arbor-vitae, of f lattened-globular shape and of very dense growth. A rare tree. Of value for ceme- teries and for places of dignity. Specially suited to mild-wintered, semi-arid climes." (Meyer's introduction.) Toona sincnsis . (Meliaceae.) 38805. Seeds from Changli , Chihli, China. Collected -by Mrs. Mary Clemens, from whom they were secured by Mr. Frank N. Meyer, Agricultural Explorer. "The well known Chinese cigar-box wood, Cedrela sinensis , of which the Chinese eat the young sprouts like spinach. The trees become quite old, grow to large size and withstand drought and alkali to a considerable extent. Recommended as a shade and avenue tree for the mild-win- tered sections of the semi-arid belt in the United States. Chinese name 'Hsiang chun shu, ' meaning 'sweet chun tree.1" (Meyer's introduction.) tiliaefolia. (Vitaceae.) 38853. Cuttings from a wild grape from Herradura, Pinar del Rio, Cuba. "A vigor- ous, rapid-growing vine, occurring in the mountains of this province. These cuttings were obtained from a plant growing in the garden of Prof. F. S. Earle, who considers the species to be of great interest and value for use in developing a race of grapes which can be successfully grown in strictly tropical regions, and he recommends that careful attention be devoted to the hybridization of this species with some of the northern cultivated grapes. In Prof. Earle 's garden the vine has completely covered a cashew tree 20 or 25 feet in height, and produces fruit very similar in appearance to the wild grape of the north. The bunches are 3 to 5 inches in length, loose, the berries deep purple in color and about three-eighths of an inch in diameter. They are used here for making jelly and grape juice." (Popenoe's introduction.) NOTES FROM CORRESPONDENTS ABROAD. Dr. George V. Perez writes from Santa Ursula, Tenerife. "In our beautiful climate trees will flower and fruit in 792 less than three years after planting. The frost and cold weather so prevalent in winter in such parts of the world as California, Florida, and the Mediterranean basin make us realise how superior our climate is to all the above mentioned, for here such a thing as a frost below 2000 feet above sea level is an unheard of thing, and yet in summer the maximum temperatures are much below that re- corded in all the climates alluded to. No wonder these were called by the ancients the Fortunate Islands. I beg to inclose three small packets of Echium seeds, E. pinin- a?ia, E. wildpretii, and E. perezii Sprague. The last is a new species which I had sent you about two years ago under the mistaken name of E. pininana* It is very like E. wild- pretii. You ought to endeavor to raise plants of E. pinin- ana which is a very rare plant indeed. All these plants are very remarkable, being most ornamental and attractive to bees and some of them as I have told you before are good forage. Since I speak of bees allow me to call your attention to our mountain broom, Cytisus supranubius , also called Cytisus fragrans, which is, as far as I know, the plant that gives the best honey In the world. Its habitat is the high plateau of Tenerife, surrounding the Peak, and it grows between 6000 and 10000 feet above the sea level in an excessively dry climate, with very cold nights and hot days. The winter temperature often falls at night to 10° Cent, below zero. I venture to suggest that this plant can be tried in many parts of California, where there are frosts. Oddly enough it has the same habitat as Echium wildpretii, which as I have told you before is the hardiest of our Echiums." SCIENTIFIC STAFF OF THE OFFICE OF FOREIGN SEED AND PLANT INTRODUCTION OF THE BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. Washington Staff. David Fairchild, Agricultural Explorer in charge. P. H. Dorsett, Plant Introducer in charge of Plant Introduction Field Stations. Peter Bisset, Plant Introducer in Charge of Foreign Plant Distribution. Frank N. Meyer and Wilson Popenoe, Agricultural Explorers. George W. Oliver, Plant Breeder and Propagator. H. C. Skeels, Botanical Assistant, in charge of Seed Collections and Office Herbarium. S. C. Stuntz, Botanical Assistant in Charge of Explorers' Notes, Foreign Correspondence, and Publicati-ons . R. A. Young, Botanical Assistant, in charge of Dasheen Investi- gations . Staff of Field Stations. R. L. Beagles, Assistant Farm Superintendent in charge of Chico, Calif., Plant Introduction Field Station. H. Klopfer, Plant Propagator. J. M. Rankin, Assistant Farm Superintendent in charge of Rock- ville (Yarrow), Md . , Plant Introduction Field Station. Edward Goucher, Propagator. Edward Siminonds, Gardener and Field Station Superintendent in charge of Miami, Fla. , Plant Introduction Field Station. W. H. F. Gomme , Assistant Farm Superintendent in charge of Brooks- ville, Fla., Plant Introduction Field Station. Collaborators. Mr. Aaron Aaronsohn, Haifa, Palestine. Mr. Thomas W. Brown, Cairo, Egypt. Dr. Gustav Eisen, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, Calif. Mr. E. C. Green, Coroata, Maranhao , Brazil. Mr. A. C. Hartless, Saharanpur, India. Mr. H. Harold Hume, Glen St. Mary, Fla. Mr. Barbour Lathrop, Chicago, 111. Mr. William S. Lyon, Manila, Philippine Islands. Mr. William H. Raynes, Tallahassee, Fla. Mr. J. F. Rock, Honolulu, Hawaii. Miss Eliza R. Scidmore, Yokohama, Japan. Mr. Charles Simpson, Little River, Fla. Dr. L. Trabut, Algiers, Algeria. Mr. E. H. Wilson, Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica .Plain, Mass. • ? 3 3 .2 .'is ' ron ' a: this . eeivsd f ;; • 1 : ial i ' . .sd becar.se o ' 39 Of JOT 3 ' :ial ^or planl "11 an "ic i . . Among the plant introductions dur' st , aps, are t 2 collections '.ved f: - j3elin.^, in the SiMcirn Himalayas* One } collections .rider the supervision o:" jrden, at the request of • , the other by r . . J. . . . .olc of ~">.lu, it or ( ' Off ic . . any of ] ants q\i ' ' , " one of cc "vat ion . this bulletin ;fore descriptions /?ivo. "_'om V/at*Is ;s"of India, or rr's Flora of India, unless < 'ise specified. Acacia catechu. Lmosaceae.) 3°991« Seeds OT 3 cntch fro- ~ ~ i ' ~~, r~- . various forms o± the cutch tree all yield a ram, ' rtract and a useful timbsr. "Jhe gum is of and often occurs ~J:s o ^h in dia-eter. It is sv;eet to fche taste, soluble a strc , :-colore rilage. 3 supsrior qualities OT rabic, especial"1. duth India, possibly ecies of Acacia, rhe timber has yellowish- od, oith heartr/ood either dark or lifht red, and e: - tre -a. . , '.aires a fine polish, and is ex- trenel /able. It is used for all 3 of agricultur. >ie- irrights1 - , etc. I a it is used for house steamers c Irrawa' 111 . _ cutch or khair is much valued by .3. jd is uade into charcoal, at purpose. It rs. A cubic foot of J to 75 pounds ace ; to t":e vuriet^. . t as furni. ' .3 astrl. 1 in tanning. La is extracted fro:.: the "ooili . , ood only being used, estruction of the trees, so that •hod of T jhes seems more •al use. ox. (. .aceae . . ho>: , ' • ' .:ous so-called 1 aconit ', so largely used in Indian medicine. Lbly f -rial in this; .; _ roducer of aconite, Lnce this group of ' ison ! Aesculus assaaicus. (Aesculaceae. ) • Seeds Darje3TTn~ In • H 1 - laed ( " -.ous tre , in -11s, Assam, to feet". ^".ets are 5-7, shortly peti, lane 2, nearly equal" , -Is ite L. Llow. ' clc - ' rarel . . aighs ah "jot." . TI - • " - - " -»Tfvr T0- ita. >.) • -e ' Assam. I ceen 3n e: to n of this fact is . " , , ear! ' Lch flows copio is . " ' - , , 1 j -r 11 suited •• r— - , - ^ -- to ' ] -lart brc- cjled al tc §ive : ' 3d ln- ": or } . -- ] requiring vefl OD9 o±" the most is - _ "bir at al • ) :• ". bulac . __ - ; •- "- " ' to 1 . an - ' I ' " . ', ' :" _'::: ._;' tree . r tre ' eaten by ' • :ces a berr "ch is :.t of , - ' ' ' ' . 1 ear * • . _ n T* t th. .Lcles are from three to si I 3 in ler d, •!•? ..ched he base, rery spreacl ' :id clothed Lt] a as a: very ygiing leaves on botl- ' :s. The flov;ers f inch in diameter, shortly pedicelled and not crowded." loojiat. is ?eoTT ~ : "~ • - t and )e static jts ' ' 'eat, Italy nferior rubber and lac 3 ".0 b3 ' f '.hat Yrovi.rce. ' -' tains oots " its hcrisoctal . :olflo It. A coarse rope ' repar-r- ted tb have been fcrmar" red :' " to a snail extent is still so ad in Madras. . \ miliy juice is externally ap-oliei for pain ises, as an anodyne application tc of the feet •"•ed or i od. It ie also applied to the teeth and gums a remedy for toothache. The v/ood Ls of ,-ayish color, is bel. , as it is durable under water, it is used in the ai-curbs. It is sorr.estimes used for boxes and door 5lS." BAMBOO TABLES AND BASKETS. The successful growth which the experimental groves or Oriental Bamboo have made in Florida and Louisiana nas raised many questions regarding the use of the bamboo canes by the Southern farmers. This Photograph taken by Frank N. Meyer shows a number of low Chinese tables made from bent bamboo, costing only 10 to 15 cents apiece. The woven bamboo baskets, used to wash rice in, cost from 5 to 20 cents apiece. Hua yin miau, Shensi, China. Dec. 27, 1913. Bamboo Utensils from Shantung, China. Phyllostachys sp. Cups and jars from bamboo joints, obtained in Tsao chou fu, Shantung, China. Photo by Mr. Frank N. Meyer, Peking, China, April 24, 1914. These utensils, apparently turned on an ordinary lathe, show some of the possibilities of bamboo, not usually considered in this country. It may be that the turning by removing the epidermis makes the dishes less likely to crack in a dry atmosphere. In Ameri- can steam-heated houses bamboo utensils appear at a de- cided disadvantage because they dry unevenly and crack. Such as are used for outdoor purposes, however, last a long time, are exceedingly cheap and light and pleasing to look at. "loril-: _. ' 39' 1|> Seeds of TTnF, India. , ' " tree ' ~) fest, and attaining a height feet. A concrete, sacchari 'rorn the stem of this tree s: *icin: na. co ' ' , , ~"ers from cane and ferrcentatle, though und Lelds a ty of alcohol vary- frora 13 to. ;3 per cent, Liha the officinal manna 'or its '• and slightly laxative properties. The ' " ' , .. 't to moderately hard in structure, re 3 ..ects the European ash. 3 wood re of oars, ' an ' pur- • '-al.n : _. ?.ceae.) :... . S^eds fro- .1- , r~ ^te, ca. tral and e: n and Asse: altitudes rar. 0 to ^000 feet. ; ' >rs of this Ii. ' a are scid to eaten in Zangra as a pot- . ' ' ' 'zed r. ler ,03 ai' o said to :d of ." Jr. • lie. (Oleaceae.) 120. Seeds r ' ^ror ; . A '-, irect, rl--id, yoll .^red shrub •imir to . o in " to 60'. t. It " ' "ely cultivated of India. _ : valley a yellow dje is c _ odes '.c essentir.l oil "cad in nr. '"ive : '.i. ;.) 39022. Seeds fi IT ', I I T ] :3t of the 1. id -bacec , " " r;ion . ' a per /amid. a in full fl07/er. "he tic i*e -2: , ^ 36 tO .... 12, — \ • i - - '. ... ' . ) - - QS ' • ng • "or "bo - ived1 , rot , , to 15000 ' 3 ' 33t. . . ) _ loc ' to • to iii-jX -j. O iZS ' ts -•3 coalite ~ • ' ' • ' ' i1 • _ pi .lit ^acc its in ; ' _ ars are desire :.!T (Curtis1* , pi . — • the • • ,cea . ' • - ,-jas of 'ta. _ o rooj. liciiial." (Curt' ,' ' ' : . . . . • "• • " _ - _ . ~,~~ ~~. IT" '00 feet, ~ron: Silikira to Shot. . •J). i , ... Icaltural Explorer, writes frorr. Pi: ng fu, ;i, Jhina, .. , "It ic about one me ce I rcrote 1 anca is concerned ' 3d. nmch t~ ovei1 ' . . ^ • led Ic";: . ... CTiltiv strai _-ds .d grooves, ce - ' - , iifel^ H»pr ;fia«d.ible, "bei. - H ' 1, ' " • of deep loose ravi nd steev , ' "bcttc ' ch ravines, in company v/ith xicli plants as ?^rus ^lia. ' ' , runus _^ _ __ _. -_, : . ~T" a, .-, '_ _ ~ '", .:.: a. _ _ -"^ ' .1 in se^.i-arid ions. The Chinese locall;- do not call this pe 1 ao or Bamboo Shop, Sianfu, China. A bamboo shop on one of the main streets of Sianfu, Shensi, China, making an exhibit of its various wares. Americans have as a rule no conception of the handiness of bamboo timber for the manufacture of many small articles useful around a country home. Such a shop as the above illustrates some of the uses which are made by the Chinese of this peculiar hollow timber. Photo by Mr. Frank N. Meyer, January 18, 1914. < V ' -'•'• • A Fruit Merchant at Tai an fu, Shantung, China. A fruit merchant sitting at one of the city gates of Tai an fu, selling the fruit of a species of haw (Crataegus pin7^atifi(la)of which orchards are of ten planted in Shantung, China. From these haws one of the best preserves of China is made. The tree has proven hardy in the Eastern United States where it has been distributed. The haws are in the second basket whereas dried persimmons are in the first one. Photo by Mr. Frank N. Meyer, March 20, 1914. tao"1 mean: hairy i-eac] . ' ; vie: ited, al .alf a day's r loc" " 'vr- n tao' :actly AQOO fset a.s. _'.te riv.e; I a*n try! jtain at least a f ' ' , t hat 3 value I apparently ~ -••'- ;urally is • • ' . G real hor a hoir.es of the peach is a questic et. 1 it _.-::va to be trat tlie paach occ li'-e . -d . . --? 3 occurrJ jre i ^rn side a Cor- ' , (C. ' . oasus, ia, etc. ) , ~~~- "~ •* uras . . -;• '.d alfalra on the an, almost up to this place "-ere - "- :.erly crt o^ re: ith ether rcedic ::. lu ' , comfton craw: ~ '~"_. ' ^ -itiva is a real native i Is , _ -, ' :ave been brc "rom , as i : ' ' 3les« -n to hers , r ;ionat is very mounts ' _ivel ' pacfe- -.e heat II — I —A 1 trun: , aternis- le L] rubber "bands, aid ] ' be- 3 one . j.lcohol ia an tin, ion. :077ever I find J oed c, et it no c . '; I had in the tin, : 33 , , etc., have all OOCOT.G dissolved stc ; left c : om. I , , r one ca ' 20hol . I'll it . " -•. to 1 wa.'- . I; well, of course, ca:. . Lme, but saw was a human hea-: In a little v.ooden ' > e rro orf . FOR: ' ' an — ~ . - & ' ''P*x.» • ; - e 11 fruit i 3 five soldiers we had robbers cc -st crw^ S't»%ng'th. i-iccts, but ley vttdnch our thirst. Ited or s;ent "limit . 1 , I caur. .ad any -C3$i|.3O3es fcr : in" 1 -' • 14«0«iso : in obtain:'. "ioient nourishing , in snr.r^r the C ' 3d;.iij^-l:.' .loodles, ten T ' : =11 a .not der: > stf- Uet 3TS S • . , " 00 Idly ':rip . .Is. ' M. 3- ' it. v/ere ' I •ate to have this boating parrjarties. I suppos- M be .it. 3 in old China jo al-"fci 3. a fe\7 da; s I hope an to the SoS-^hiC^M^ 2n river to the : by ?re . " - 3L T I! FOREST! UNIVCRSlTV OfCAUf, Descriptive notes furnished mainly by Agricultural Explorers and Foreign Correspondents relative to such newly introduced plants as nave arrived during the month at the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction of the Bureau of Plant Industry of the Department of Agri- culture. These descriptions are revised and published later in the Inventory of Plants Imported. Genera Represented in This Number. Acacia Aconitum Aesculus Albizzia Amoora Betula Corylus Cotoneaster Dillenia Eriobotrya Ficus Fraxinus 38991 38993 39102 38996 39103-104 38998 39002 39106 39008 39109 39111 39113 39014 39115 Indigof era Jasminum Meconopsis Pedicularis Picrorhiza Piptanthus Polygonum Rheum Rhododendron Saxif raga Sorbus Vaccinium 39119 39120 39022 39031-037 39041 39043 39128 39048 39049-050 39051-068 39074 39133-135 39141 Bamboo Bamboo Tables and Utensils . Baskets . Bamboo Shop. Fruit Merchant Applications for material listed in these multigraphed sheets may be made at any time to this Office. As they are received they are filed, and when the material is ready for the use of experimenters it is sent to those on the list of applicants who can show that they are prepared to care for it, as well as to others selected because of their special fitness to experiment with the particular plants imported. One of the main objects of the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction is to secure material for plant experimenters, and it will undertake as far as possible to fill any specific requests for foreign seeds or plants from plant breeders or others interested. 794 Among the plant introductions during August, the most interesting and important, perhaps, are two large col- lections of seed received from Darjeeling, in the Sikkim Himalayas. One of these collections was made under the supervision of Mr. G. H. Cave, Director of the Lloyd Bo- tanic Garden, at the request of Mr. Wilson Popenoe, of this Office, and the other by Mr. L. J. Mackintosh, at the request of Mr. J. F. Rock of Honolulu, traveling as a Col- laborator of this Office. Many of the plants are of in- terest, several are quite new to this country, and one or two perhaps may prove quite worthy of continued culti- vation in this country. All plants listed in this bul- letin therefore are from Darjeeling, and the descriptions given are from Watt's Dictionary of the Economic Products of India, or Hooker's Flora of British India, unless otherwise specified. Acacia catechu. (Mimosaceae . ) 38991. Seeds of the cutch from Darjeeling, India. The various forms of the cutch tree all yield a gum, an astringent extract and a useful timber. The gum is of pale yellow color and often occurs in tears one inch in diameter. It is sweet to the taste, soluble in water, and forms a strong, pale-colored mucilage. Most of the superior qualities of gum arabic, especially those of south India, are very possibly ob- tained from this species of Acacia. The timber has yel- lowish-white sapwood, with heartwood either dark or light red, and extremely hard. It seasons well, takes a fine polish, and is extremely durable. It is used for all kinds of agricultural implements, wheelwrights' work, etc. In Burma it is used for house posts and very largely as fuel for the steamers of the Irrawaddy flotilla. The fuel of dead cutch or khair is much valued by goldsmiths. In northern India cutch wood is made into charcoal, and Is regarded as one of the best woods for that purpose. It has been pronounced good for railway sleepers. A cubic foot of the wood weighs from 50 to 75 pounds according to the variety. The tree is chiefly important as furnishing the astringent catechu, so largely used in tanning. This is extracted from the chips by means of boiling water, the heartwood only being used. This necessitates the complete destruction of the trees, so that the Gujarat method of lopping the larger branches seems more economical and likely to recommend itself for general use. ferox. (Ranunculaceae . ) 38993. Seeds of monkshood from Darjeeling, India. One of the numerous forms of the so-called "Nepal aconites," so largely used in Indian medicine. Of interest possibly for trial in this country as a producer of aconite, since this group of the genus furnishes a poison of unusual strength. 795 Aesculus assamicus . (Aesculaceae . ) 39102. Seeds from Darjeeling, India. "A moderate-sized deciduous tree, found in northern Bengal, in the Khasia Hills, Assam, and Burma, ascending to 4000 feet. The leaflets are 5-7, shortly petioled. Panicles narrowly lanceolate, nearly equalling the leaves, lower pedicels longer. Petals white and yel- low. The wood is white, soft and close-grained but very rarely used. It weighs about 36 Ibs. per cubic foot." Mbizzia marginata. (Mimoscaeae . ) 39104. Seeds from Darjeeling, India. "A large, deciduous, fast growing tree, met with in the sub-alpine tract from the Indus eastward ascending to 4000 feet in Oudh, Bengal, Burma, and South India. This tree is attracting considerable at- tention in Assam. It has been found that tea flourishes better under it than when exposed to the sun. The most favorable explanation of this fact is that the leaves manure the soil; the roots, which do not penetrate deep, tend to open up the soil, while the shade is not so severe as to injure the tea, the leaves closing at night and dur- ing the early morning. The gum which flows copiously from the ctem is used by the Nepalese for sizing their Daphne paper. The sapwood of this tree is large and white while the heartwood is brown and generally not durable. The wood is used in the manufacture of cart-wheels, wooden bells, and in Bengal it has been tried for tea boxes for which purpose it will probably be well suited." AlUzzia odoratissima . (Mimosaceae . ) 38996, 39103. Seeds from Darjeeling, India. "A large deciduous tree, met with in the sub-Himalaya tract from the Indus eastward, as- cending to 3000 feet in altitude. This tree yields a dark brown gum in rounded tears, tasteless but soluble in water. The bark is boiled by the Garo people together with the leaves of the dugal (Sarcochlamys pulcherrima) and the yarn of their cloth to give the latter a brownish color. As a medicine the bark is applied externally and is considered efficacious in leprosy and in inveterate ulcers. When boiled in ghi (clarified butter) the leaves are used by the Santals as a remedy for coughs. The tim- ber made from this tree is used in the manufacture of wheels, oil-mills and furniture. The timber is excellent for all purposes requiring strength and durability and is considered one of the most valuable of jungle timbers." Amoora rohituka. (Meliaceae.) 38998. Seeds from Dar- jeeling, India. "An evergreen tree with a large crown of branches, which is widely distributed over the Malay Archipelago and the Philippine Islands. The fruit is smooth, pale yellow or red in color, and from one to one 796 and one-half inches in diameter, rather soft and fleshy, three-celled and three-valved. A sort of economic oil is extracted from the seed. Betula cylindrostachya . (Betulaceae. ) 39002. Seeds of a birch from. Darjeeling, India. "A pink-barked birch native of the Himalayas and found growing there at altitudes of from 3000 to 10000 feet. It reaches a height of about 60 feet and thrives well along forest streams. The wood is hard, strong, and durable." (Mueller, Select Extra Tropi- cal Plants. ) Corylus ferox. (Betulaceae^ 39106. Seeds from Dar- jeeling, India. "A small tree native of Nepal and Sikkim found growing at altitudes ranging from 8000 to 10000 feet. The. fruit which has an edible kernel is covered with a prickly cup. The wood is pinkish-white in color, moderately hard and even grained." Cotoneaster microphylla. (Malaceae.) 39008. Seeds of a cotoneaster from Darjeeling, India. "An ornamental plant recently introduced into Indian gardens. It is known as Khariz luni in Kashmir and as Garri in Kumaon. The wood of this species is used in the manufacture of walking sticks and baskets. When mixed with Parrotia it is used in the construction of twig bridges in Kashmir. The fruit is sweet . " Dillenia pentagyna. (Dillenlaceae . ) 39109. Seeds from Darjeeling, India. "A deciduous tree of Oudh, Bengal, Assam, central, south and western India, and Burma. In the younger trees the leaves are sometimes as much as two feet in length and the flowers, buds, and fruit when green are eaten by the natives. The tree flowers in March and April and later produces a berry which is said to have an agreeable acid flavor resembling that of Grewia asiatica. The wood is tough, moderately hard, and of a reddish-grey color. It is used in ship construction, in rice-mills and in the manufacture of charcoal of very good quality. The leaves of this tree are sold in the bazar at Poona as a sub-stratum for thatching." Eridbotrya petiolata. (Malaceae.) 39111. Seeds from Darjeeling, India. "This tree is a native of the eastern Himalayas and is found growing in Sikkim and Bhotan at elevations of 5000 to 9000 feet. The leaves are firmly coriaceous and vary from 6 to 9 inches in length and from three to three and one-half inches in width. The panicles are from three to six inches in length and broad, branched from the base, very spreading and clothed with a rusty BAMBOO TABLES AND BASKETS. The successful growth which the experimental groves of Oriental Bamboo have made in Florida and Louisiana has raised many questions regarding the use of the bamboo canes by the Southern farmers. This Photograph taken by Frank N. Meyer shows a number of low Chinese tables made from bent bamboo, costing only 10 to 15 cents apiece. The woven bamboo baskets, used to VT?, rh ^ice in, cost from 5 to 20 cents apiece. Hua yin miau, Shensi, China. Dec. 27, 1913. OIVtSION O FORESTRY COLLEGE Of A. AGRlCULTuRi UNIVCRSlTY Of CALIFORNIA Bamboo Utensils from Shantung, China. Phyllostachys sp. Cups and jars from bamboo joints, obtained in Tsao chou fu, Shantung, China. Photo by Mr. Frank N. Meyer, Peking, China, April 24, 1914. These utensils, apparently turned on an ordinary lathe, show some of the possibilities of bamboo, not usually considered in this country. It may be that the turning by removing the epidermis makes the dishes less likely to crack in a dry atmosphere. In Ameri- can steam-heated houses bamboo utensils appear at a de- cided disadvantage because they dry unevenly and crack. Such as are used for outdoor purposes, however, last a long time, are exceedingly cheap and light and pleasing to look at. 797 tomentum as are the very young leaves on both surfaces. The flowers are one-half inch in diameter, shortly pedi- celled and not crowded." May possibly have some value as a stock for the loquat. Ficus bengalensis. (Urticaceae . ) 39113. Seeds of a fig from Darjeeling, India. "A large tree found in the sub- alpine tract and the lower slopes of Deccan, and so common in Mysore that it may be said to be characteristic of the arboreal vegetation in many parts of that province. This tree attains a height of from 70 to 100 feet, and sends down roots from its branches, thus indefinitely expanding its horizontal growth. This tree yields an inferior rub- ber and lac is also collected from it. A coarse rope is prepared from the bark and the aerial roots. Paper is also reported to have been formerly prepared in Assam from the bark and to a small extent is still so prepared in Madras. The milky juice is externally applied for pain and bruises, and as an anodyne application to the soles of the feet when cracked or inflamed. It is also applied to the teeth and gums as a remedy for toothache. The wood is of a grayish color, is moderately hard, and as it is dura- ble under water, it is used in the manufacture of well- curbs. It is sometimes used for boxes and door panels." Fraxinus floribunda. (Oleaceae.) 39034, 39115. Seeds of an ash from Darjeeling, India. "This Fraxinus, common- ly known as the Nepal ash, is a large deciduous tree found in the Himalayas at altitudes ranging from 5000 to 8500 feet, and attaining a height of 120 feet and a diameter of 5 feet. A concrete, saccharine exudation called manna is obtained from the stem of this tree and is employed as a substitute for the officinal manna. The sugar contained in this exudation, called mannite, differs from cane and grape sugars in not being readily fermentable, though under certain conditions it does ferment and yields a quantity of alcohol varying in strength from 13 to 33 per cent. Like the officinal manna this is used for its sweetening and slightly laxative properties. The wood is white with reddish tinge, soft to moderately hard in structure, resembling in some respects the European ash. The wood is very valuable and is used in the manufacture of oars, jampan poles, ploughs, platters, spinning wheels, and for many other purposes, while the tree itself is a fine avenue ornamental." Indigofera dosua. (Fabaceae.) 39119. Seeds from Dar- jeeling, India. "This is a shrub of the temperate, cen- tral and eastern Himalayas, from Simla to Bhotan and Assam at altitudes ranging from 6000 to 8000 feet. The flowers 798 of this Indigofera are said bo be eaten in Kangra as a pot-herb. This species is prized as fodder for sheep and goats, and buffulos are also said to be very fond of it". Jasminum liumile. (Oleaceae.) 39120. Seeds of a jas- mine from Darjeeling, India. "A small, erect, rigid, yel- low flowered shrub, native of the sub-tropical Himalayas rrom Kashmir to Nepal, at altitudes of from 2000 to 5000 feet; found also in south India and Ceylon, from 2000 to 6000 feet. It is widely cultivated throughout, the gardens of India. In the Kurram valley a yellow dye is extracted from the roots. Like many other jasmines, this species bears flowers which yeild an aromatic essential oil used in native perfumery." Meconopsis wallichii. (Papaveraceae . ) 39022. Seeds from Darjeeling, India. "This is undoubtedly one of the finest of the poppyworts in cultivation. It is an extremely handsome herbaceous perennial, and is remarkable, being one of the few, if not the only true blue-flowered poppy in cultivation at the present time. It- attains a height of from 4 to 7 feet and forms a perfect pyramid. It is exceedingly beautiful when in full flower. The blossoms are about three inches in diameter, broadly saucer shaped, pendent and of a lovely shade of blue. The blooms always commence to open at the summit of the stem, then gradually from day to day expand until the lowest and last bud is reached." (The Garden, July 12, 1913.) Pedicularis spp . (Scrophulariaceae . ) 39031-037. Seeds of seven varieties of lousewort from Darjeeling, India. Many of this interesting genus are handsome perennials suitable for borders' but in cultivation almost all have proven short-lived' perhaps because of some dependence on the root systems surrounding plants in their native habi- tats. Picrorhiza kurroa. ( Scrophulariaceae .) 39041. Seeds from Darjeeling, India. "A low, more or less hairy herb, with a perennial woody, bitter rootstock , common on the alpine Hi- malayas from Kashmir to Sikkim at altitubes of 9000 to 15000 feet. The root of this species is used in medicine in case of fever and dyspepsia, and as an ingredient of various purgatives." Piptanthus nepalensis . (Fabaceae.) 39043, 39128. Seeds from Darjeeling, India. "A shrub ten feet high with loose racemes of large yellow flowers, found on the temperate slopes of the Himalayas at an elevation of 7000 to 9000 .feet, from Simla to Bhotan." 799 Polygonum vacci?iiifoliu7ti . (Polygonaceae . ) 39048. Seeds from Darjeeling, India. "Apparently a common Himalayan plant which has proved sufficiently hardy to bear the open air of this climate (England). It is a low-growing neat plant, and by its numerous slender stems trailing along the ground and rooting at the joints it soon becomes a spreading compact patch. The leaves are quite concealed by the copious spikes of bright rose-colored flowers, which continue blooming from August to November uninter- ruptedly. It is well adapted for the front part of rock work, in situations where it will not be subject to drought in summer. This plant continues to become a great favorite in our gardens as a bedding-out plant, especially where autumn flowers are desired." (Curtis 's Botanical Magazine, pi. 4622.) Rheum acuminatum. (Polygonaceae.) 39049. Seeds of wild rhubarb from Darjeeling, India. "This is the common rhubarb of the Slkkim Himalayas, and very closely resem- bles in most respects the well-known Rheum emodi. It in- habits rocky places, often amongst brushwood in the sub- alpine regions of the Himalayas of Sikkim and East Nepal, at elevations of 9000 to 13000 feet. The stems are pleas- antly acid, and, though more dry and stringy than those of R. emodi, may be used for tarts. The root is spongy, and but slightly, if at all, medicinal." (Curtis 's Botanical Magazine, pi. 4877.) Rheum nobile. (Polygonaceae.) 39050. Seeds of wild rhubarb from Darjeeling, India. "A handsome herbaceous plant, with a stem three to four feet high and as thick as the wrist at the base. It is found in the inner ranges of the Sikkim Himalaya at altitudes between 13000 and 15000 feet. The root resembles that of the medicinal rhu- barb but is spongy and inert. The acid stems are eaten raw and boiled and the dried leaves afford a substitute for tobacco . " Rhododendron spp. (Ericaceae.) 39051-068. Seeds of eighteen Himalayan rhododendrons from Darjeeling, India. R. campylocarpum and R. dalhousiae, considered as among the most beautiful and interesting of the Himalayan forms, R. anthopogon and R. lepidotum, two species used in Indian medicine, and the rare yellow-f lov/ered R. ivightii are among the lot. Saxifraga purpurnscens . (Saxif ragaceae . ) S9074. Seeds of a saxifrage from Darjeeling, India. "This beautiful and hardy species comes from the temperate regions of the Sikkim Himalaya, where it was discovered growing in wet 800 i . f places at an elevation of from 10000 to 14000 feet. Though closely allied to the Himalayan S. ligulata and the Siberian S. crassifolia, it is extremely different from, and far more beautiful than either of those species. Nothing indeed can exceed the bright glossy green of the leaves which are elegantly margined with red, or the deep, bright, vinous, red-purple of its scape and inflorescence." (Curtis 's Bo- tanical Magazine, pi. 5066.) Sorbus spp. (Malaceae.) 39133-155. Seeds from Dar- jeeling, India. Three species, all native of the higher Himalayas, and one with small edible fruit. May be of value for stocks for other malaceous fruits. Vaccinium glauco- album. ( Vacciniaceae . ) 39141. Seeds from Darjeeling, India. A shrub with large white persis- tent bracts under the pinkish flowers which are borne in dense racemes, found on the slopes of the Himalayas at an elevation of from 7500 to 10000 feet, from Sikkim to Bho t an . NOTES FROM CORRESPONDENTS ABROAD. Prank N. Meyer, Agricultural Explorer, writes from Ping yang fu, Shansi, China, August 1, 1914: "It is about one month ago since I wrote you last and so far as real distance is concerned I have not advanced much, but we went over some very interesting territory and I was lucky to discover the real wild peach, growing in loess ravines some 2-3 days to the East from here, near a village called Tchao yu. The plants are of smaller dimensions than our cultivated strains and the stones are somewhat different as regards shape and grooves, but still on the whole there is little difference between a very poor seedling peach and this wild one. These wild peaches are locally cut for firewood, for the fruits are pretty near inedible, being small and hav- ing hard, sourish flesh. They grow at the edges of deep loose ravines and on the steep, sloping bottoms of such ravines, in company with such plants as Pyrus betulaefolia , Hippophae rJuuinnoides , Prunus awneniaca, Prunus bungei , Xan- thoceras sorbifolia, Syringa oblata. Ziziphus sativa, Celtis sincn- sis , Elaeagnus multiflora. All of these plants are very" drought-resistant and do well in semi-arid regions. The Chinese locally do not call this peach "yeh tao or "shan tao" but "mao tao," meaning "hairy peach." In the vi- cinity where they grow, no peaches are cultivated, air though half a day's journey lower down, one meets with some poor looking trees in gardens. Bamboo Shop, Sianfu, China. A bamboo shop on one of the main streets of Sianfu, Shensi, China, making an exhibit of its various wares. Americans have as a rule no conception of the handiness of bamboo timber for the manufacture of many small articles useful around a country home. Such a shop as the above illustrates some of the uses which are made by the Chinese of this peculiar hollow timber. Photo by Mr. Frank N. Meyer, January 18, 1914. A Fruit Merchant at Tai an fu, Shantung, China. "A fruit merchant sitting at one of the city gates of Tai an fu, selling the fruit of a species of haw (Crataegus pin7iatifida)of which orchards are often planted in Shantung, China. From these haws one of the best preserves of China is made. The tree has proven hardy in the Eastern United States where it has been distributed. The haws are in the second basket whereas dried persimmons are in the first one. Photo by Mr. Frank N. Meyer, March 20, 1914. 801 The elevation I found them was almost exactly 4000 feet a. s. I gathered some fruits, but they are not quite ripe: I am trying to ripen them off, however, so that we may obtain at least a few ripe seeds. As a stock however it has not the value the clavidiana peach has, not being as vigorous and apparently being attacked by the same pests that infest cultivated peaches. This "find" is of great interest however, showing that wild peaches exist much nearer the coast than we suspected and that the peach nat- urally is a native of semi-arid regions. Whether China is the real home or whether it is only one of the homes of the peach is a question we cannot solve as yet. Will it prove to be that the peach occurs also in Persia and Af- ghanistan, like the walnut, which is found wild in the Caucasus, Persia, Western China and N. E. China? There are some more plants occurring here in North Eastern China, which are found also on the other side of the Continent, like the Apricot, Diospyros lotus (Crimea, Caucasus, India, 'etc.), Ziziphus sativa (North Africa and North China), Buxus sempervirens (Western Caucasus and Western Hupeh) , Nelumbium speciosum (Lake Hanka, E. Siberia and Caspian Sea, at mouth of Volga), and on this last trip I have found so much real wild alfalfa on the whole way from Lin hsien in Homin, almost up to this place here and in such out-of-the-way places and so utterly out of reach of men and of animals and often in company with other medicagos, like M. lupulina, that we safely can say that the common crawling and spreading strain of Medicago sativa is a real native of this country. The tall, upright form might have been brought from Central Asia, no doubt, as is stated in Chinese chronicles. V/e have had some very hard days on that whole trip from Changte fu, over Lin hsien, and Luanfu to here (Ping yang fu) , for the whole country, with a few exceptions, is very mountainous and most of our travel had to be done with packmules and the heat ! --Great Scott! --All of our candles are molten together and the sealing wax inside of a small case, within one of my trunks, had fraternized with leadpencils and rubber bands, and the whole thing has become one fantastically looking mass. The alcohol in an iron tin, which is inside a wooden case, became heated , and we had to let the gas pass off to prevent an explosion. Now however I find that this alcohol has been reduced con- siderably in volume and worse yet it has no strength any- more. The fruit I had in the tin, as peaches, plums, ap- ricots, etc., have all become dissolved and only the stones and some pieces of skin are left on the bottom. I conclude, therefore, that in the heat of the summer one cannot carry fruits in alcohol with one. This winter I'll try it again. 802 We had been warned in Luanfu to be very careful, for there was a band of 35 to 40 robbers on the road; well, of course, we carried our firearms all of the time, but luckily we had no encounter and all we saw was a human head hanging in a little wooden cage, hanging in a wild apricot tree along the roadside and grinning at us with its white teeth, showing partly through the dried-up blackened skin. Beneath the cage there dangled a wooden tablet with the man's name on it, as a warning to other evil-minded mortals. The whole thing didn't impress us much, for we were passing through a wild and lonely landscape; rugged moun- tains everywhere and wild apricot trees in full fruit and the five soldiers we had with us a convoy over the bad place and we ourselves also, we would have liked to see some robbers come up and test our strength. As nobody came however, we turned to the wild apricots, but they were not good enough to satisfy our tastes or quench our thirst. As you may imagine the stopping places we halted or spent the night at were often the "limit". And oh, those rieas by night and the flies by day! Really, I cannot find any good uses for both these pests in the curriculum of our earth. We also had great difficulty in obtaining sufficient nourishing food. As you know, in summer the Chinese eat exceedingly little meat, and the main food is noodles, from wheaten flour and bird's seed; well a white man cannot derive sufficient strength from such a diet and one does not wish to deplete one's supply of canned goods too rapidly when on such a long trip as this. My new interpreter and the new coolie are holding out fairly well. The interpreter is by far not as clever as the former one. He is more of an office man; with some training however, we may be able to transform him a bit. Yesterday morning the two were given a beating by some villagers some 10 lis from here and now we are negotiat- ing with the local magistrate to have this beating busi- ness returned to the proper parties. I suppose we will be successful at it. So many things here in old China go differently from what they do in other lands! Now as to my plans. Within a few days I hope to be on the road to Wen hsien and Pai hsiang chen to the South of here, then back to Chiang chou and along the Fen river to the Hoang Ho; by ferry across it and then over Tung kwang to Sianfu. From there on S . W. Shensi and to Kansu for Potanin's wild peaches. I have collected quite a stack already of herbarium material and as time goes on this will increase many fold these coming months. If it now soon will turn cooler then everything will be all right. INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF PLANTS ILLUSTRATED IN PLANT IMMIGRANT BULLETINS, Nos. 1 to 100. Acrocomia intumescens, Macauba (2 plates) - - - - - Actinidia sp. , Deng-li, 26904 __________ -No- . 29 " chinensis, Yang tau Tine --------- -No. 50 n » " n flowers- ------- -No. 50 Aleurites fordii, Chinese Wood Oil tree, 21013- - - -No. 29 H n n » n n n _ _ _ jjo. 75 Amygdalus davidiana, Wild Chinese Peach, 22009, 27310-No. 34 at Ames, Iowa, 18262 - - - -No. 84 " " Hairy peach, 36665 ------ -No. 91 " Chinese, 36664 ------ - -No. 91 " persica, Fei peach, 21989 (2 plates) - - -No. 62 n » " » ___________ _NO. 97 Andropogon ruf us , Capim Jaragua ---------- -No. 94 Arracacia xanthorrhiza, Arracacha,- -- ------ -No. Artocarpus odcratissimus , Marang, 36256 -No. 89 Atalantia glauca, See Eremocitrus glauca. .bos sp. Apparatus for steaming bamboo— ————— —No. 32 " Bamboo windbreak ------------- -No. 98 • No. 54 -No. 49 - - -No. 29 No. 35 No. 83 -No. 63 Noting- • ~~ ~~ ~~^° ' ^ No. 23 ' . 1 tO 100 I " r^n" I? be bound with No. 100 of :- 0* this series. ~ ~-NO ' y4 Ho. 56 - - -No. 53 No. 88 -No. 53 - - -No. 97 Orchard- _____ NO . 97 Cudrania tricuspidatav Che tree, 35258— ——-——- —No. 86 Diospyros kaki , Persimmon, 37648 (2 plates) • -No. 95 Dipteri:; odorata, See Coumarouna odorata. 28673 No. 46 :"olia, Oleaster— ------- -No. 68 Eremocitrus glauca, Desert kurnquat, 29537 • -No. 57 29660 (2 plates) -No. 58 enia luschnathiana, Pitomba, 37017 (2 plates) -No. 93 Feijoa sellowiana, Guayabua, 26120-121- -No. 38 Feronia elephantum, See Feronia limonia. Haloxylon ammodendron, Saxaul tree, 28976 - -No. 51 Jubaea chilensis, Lilla, 28097-0; -No. 40 Juniperus f oetidissima, Juniper, 27671— ------ — iTo . 36 INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF PLANTS ILLUSTRATED IN PLANT IMMIGRANT BULLETINS, Nos. 1 to 100. Acrocomia intumescens , Macauba (2 plates) ----- -No. 98 Actinidia sp., 'Deng-li, 26904 _--_---_-_ -No. 29 " chinensis, Yang tau vine --------- -No. 50 11 " it « flowers- ------- -No. 50 Aleurites fordii, Chinese Wood Oil tree, 21013- - - -No. 29 u » .. .. _ _ No> 76 Amygdalus davidiana, Wild Chinese Peach, 22009, 27310-No. 34 at Ames, Iowa, 18262 - - - -No. 84 " " Hairy peach, 36665 ------ -No. 91 Chinese, 36664 ------ - -No. 91 " persica, Fei peach, 21989 (2 plates) - - -No. 62 " » » » ___________ _NO. 97 Andropogon rufus, Capim j'aragua — — — — — — — — — — —No. 94 acacia xanthorrhiza, Arracacha,- -- ------ -No. 75 Artocarpus odcratissimus , Marang, 36256 -No. 89 Atalantia glauca, See Eremocitrus glauca. "bos sp. Apparatus for steaming bamboo- ----- -No. 32 Bamboo windbreak ———————————— —No. 98 tulda No. 54 Eelou marmelos, Bael fruit, 28875 ------- -NO. 49 Brassica petsai, Pe-tsai- _______ -NO. 29 C?rica papaya, Paw-paw tree -———-—- -No. 35 Simmonds', 28536 - _____ _NO . 83 Caripsa ovata, Black lime "bush, 31111 ------- -No. 63 Casimiroa edulis, White sapote, 31470 ----- - -No. 65 C astanea sp. , Hybrid chinquapin, 26230-231- - - - -No. 23 ; " Chinese chestnut- ---------- —No. 79 Ceratonia siliqua, Carob- -_-_____ -No. 47 Chloris elegans, Capim catingueiro- -------- -No. 94 gayana, Rhodes grass, 29361 - ___ -No. 56 Cordeauxia edulis, Yeheb nuts, 29122 - - - - - -No. 53 Coumarouna odorata, Tonka bean, 35904 ------- -No. 88 Crataegus pinnatifida, Chinese haws, 29103- - - -No. 53 Haw fruits --------- _NO . 97 Orchard- ______ _NO . 97 Cudrania tricuspidatav Che tree, 35258- ------ -No. 86 Diospyros kaki , Persimmon, 37648 (2 plates) • -No. 95 Dipterix odorata, See Coumarouna odorata. Echeveria hoveyi , 28673 - - -No. 46 Elaeagnus angustifolia, Oleaster- ----- o. 68 Eremocitrus glauca, Desert kumquat , 29537 -No. 57 29660 (2 plates) -No. 58 Eucommia ulmoides, Tuchung - - -No. 64 Eugenia luschnathiana, Pitomba, 37017 (2 plates) -No. 93 Feijoa sellowiana, Guayabua, 26120-121- -No. 38 Feronia elephantum, See Feronia limonia. Feronia limonia, Wood apple, 29341- -No. 55 Haloxylon ammodendron, E ree, 28976 ----- -No. 51 Jubaea chilensis, Lilla, 28097-098- -No. 40 Juniperus f oetidissirca, Juniper, 27671 --No. 36 .uansium domesticum, Doekoe -No. 81 " " Langsat- - _ _ _ . _No _ Q± Larix sibirica, Siberian Larch _ _ _ _ _ _jjc _ 73 Lonicera maackii, Honeysuckle, 35053- " ~ "No. 74 Macadamia ternifolia. Queensland nut, 33912- - - - - -No. 78 Machi lus nanmu, See Phoebe nanmu. Malus sp., Wild Apple, - - No. 66 " sylvestris, Afghasian apple, 27060 ----- No. 33 Mangifera indica, Mango -No. 44, No. 96 " " Manga da Rosa, Rose Mango, 37846 - -No. 99 Melocanna "banibuscides, Muli "bamboo, 28781- - - -No. 48 Morus alba pyramidalis, Mulberry, 27716- - - -No. Myrciaria cauliflora, Jaboticaba, 36702, 36709, 36888-No. 92 Myrica nagi , Nagi tree, 26905- - - - -No. 30 Neoglaziovia variegata, Caroa— • • — -No. 71 Nephelium lappaceum, Ramboetan, 22384- - -No. 31 " mutabile, Kapoelasan- ------ - - - -No. 31 Oryza sp. , Perennial Rice, 34092 - - No. 90 Pan! cum spectabile, Capim de Angola- _____ -No. 94 Pasania cornea, Oak, 10633, 27925- - - -No. 37 Passiflora edulis, Passion fruit (2 plates)- - - -No. 52 11 ligularis, Passion fruit, 18428 - - -No. Persea americana, Veranero avocado, 35121- _ _ _ - -No. 85 Phoebe nanmu, Nanmu, 29485 -------- ----- -No. 57 Phoenix dactylifera, Date culture- - _______ -No. 69 Menakher date, 29391- • -No. 56 Phyllostachys pubescens, Mosc bamboo - - - -No. 32 Pistacia chinensis, Chinese Pistache,- ------- -No. 58 " vera, Pistache, 6349- No. 48 Populus diversif olia, Poplar - - - — -No. 67 " pruinosa, Pruinose Poplar, 30230, 30921- - - -No. 67 Pouteria caimito, Abiu fruit - - No . 98 Prunus armeniaca, Apricots,- - - - _ _ -HO. 51 " avium, Russian Cherry, 32674- ----- - - -No. 73 11 fruticosa, Siberian Bush Cherry, 32225-226- - -No. 71 " microcarpa, Wild Cherry, 28946- - - - _ _ - -No. 51 " prostrata, Bush Cherry, 28945 -No. 51 Q,uercus cornea, See Pasania cornea. " suber, Cork oak, 34710 -No. 82 Rollinia orthopetala, Araticu, 27579 - - No . 77 Rubus sp., Chinese Rasperry, 23346- -No. 59 " brasiliensis - - - - - - -No. 99 Salix sp., Globular headed willow, 17737- -No. 80 Sesamum orientalev Sesame- -No. 61 Solanum muricatum, Pepino , 28899 • -- - - No. 49 Spondias tuberosa, Irnbu tree — - --No. 99 Strychnos spinosa. 9611- _____ _NO . 62 Ulmus densa, Karagatch tree • -No. 78 Zizyphus jujuba, Jujube, 28764 -No. 47 » " " - -No. 87, 38243, No. 97 INDEX OF COMMON NAMES OF PLANTS ILLUSTRATED IN PLANT IMMIGRANT BULLETINS, Nos. 1 to 100. Abiu fruit, Pouter ia caimito ----- ______ -No. 98 Angola grass, Fan i cum spectaMle- —No. 94 Apple, Afghasian, Malus sylvestris, 27060 ----- -No. 33 Wild, Malus sp. No. 66 Apricot, Prunus armeniaca ---________ -No. 51 Araticu, Rollinia orthopetala, 27579- - - - -No. 77 Arracacha, Arracacia xanthorrhiza ---——-—— —No. 75 Avocado, Veranero, Persea americana, 35121- - - - -No. 85 Bael fruit, Belou marmelos, 28875 - - -No. 49 Bam"boo, Bambos tulda ----- ______ —No. 54 Bamboo, Muli, Melocanna "hambusoides , 28781- - - - -No. 48 Bamboo, Moso, Phyllostachys pubescens ______ -No. 32 Bamboo, Apparatus for steaming- -- ------- -No. 32 Bamboo windbreak, Bambos sp.- — - • - - ----- - - —No. 98 Bulbs, test of home grown versus imported ----- —No. 60 Capim d' Angola, Panicum spectabile _--—___ —No. 94 catingueiro, Chloris elegans --------- -No. 94 Jaragua, Andropogon rufus ---------- -No; 94 Caroa, Neoglaziovia variegata - - - ---------No. 71 Carob, Ceratonia siliqua— -- ----------- —No. 47 Che tree, Cudrania tricuspidata, 35258- - • - -No. 86 Cherry, Bush, Prunus prostrata, 28945 - ------ -No. 51 Siberian Bush, Prunus fruticosa, 32225-226- -No. 71 " Russian, Prunus avium, 32674- ------- -No. 73 Wild, Prunus microcarpa, 28946- ------ -No. 51 Chestnut, Chinese, Castanea sp.- ______ —No. 79 Chinquapin, Hybrid, Castanea sp. , 26230-231 - - - - -No. 23 Cork oak, Quercus suber, 34710- - - - -No. 82 Date culture, Phoenix dactylifera - -No. 69 11 Menakher, Phoenix dactylifera, 29391 -No. 56 Dengli, Actinidia sp., 26904 ----- ___ NO. 29 Doekoe, Lansium domes ticum— --————----- -- -No. 81 Explorer's Caravan- ----- — — - No . 70 Fei peach, Amygdalus iDersica, 21989 ______ -NO. 62 » » " » _ _ _NO. 97 Guayabua, Feijoa sellowiana, 26120-121 • -No. 38 Haws, Chinese, Crataegus pinnatifida, 29103- - - - - —No. 53 fruits No. 97 " orchard ------ ___- ~NO . 97 Honeysuckle, Lonicera maackii, 33053- - ----- -No. 74 Imbu tree, Spondias tuberosa - ______ -NO. 99 Jaboticaba, Myrciaria cauliflora, 36702, 36709, 36888, No. 92 Jaragua grass, Andropogon rufus- -— — - __-__ -No. 94 Jujube, Zizyphus jujuba, 28764 - -No. 47 No. 87 " " " 38243- - No. 97 Juniper, Juniperus f oetidissima, 27671 ------- -No. 36 Saxaul tree, Haloxylon ammodendron, 28976- - - - - - - No . 51 Senegal Rice, Oryza sp. - - - - - -No. 90 Sesame, Sesarnum orientale- - -- - ------- -No. 61 Tonka bean, Coumarouna odorata, 35094 ------- -No. 88 Tu chung, Eucommia ulmoides- ---- .____-- -No. 64 Veranero Avocado, Mangifera indica, 35121 -No. 85 White Sapote, Casimiroa edulis, 31470- ------ -No. 65 Wood apple, Feronia limonia, 29341- - - - - No. 55 Wood Oil Tree, Aleurites fordii -------- No. 29 * ii it « " 21013- - - - No. 76 Yang tau vine, Actinidia chinensis— ———----— —No. 50 " " flowers, " " -____ No. 50 Yeheb nut, Cordeauxia edulis, 29122 - - - - - -No. 53 S. P. I. Nos. ILLUSTRATED IN BULLETINS Nos. 1 to 100. 6349 9611 10633 11629 17737 18262 18428 21013 21989 22009 22384 26120- 26230. 26904 26905 27060 27310 27579 27671 27716 27925 28097 28536 28673 28764 28781 28875 28899 28946 28954 28976 29103 29122 Pistacia vera, Pistache- ———----——— Strychnos spinosa- ------------- Pasania cornea, Chinese oak- -——-——-- Actinidia chinensis, Yang tau- ------- Salix sp., Globular headed willow - — - Amygdalus davidiana, Peach ------- - - Passiflora ligularis, Passion i'ruit- Aleurites fordii, Wood oil tree- - -No. 29, Amygdalus persica, Fei peach- - ------ Amygdalus ctavidiana, Peach- - — - - - — - — Nephelium lappaceum, Ramboetan— - - — - - - - -121 Feijoa sellowiana, Guayabua — - - — - - - -231 Castanea sp., Hybrid chinquapin - - - - - Actinidia sp. , "Deng-li" - Myrica nagi, "Nagi tree" - -—-———— — Malus sylvestris, Afghasian apple - - - - Amygdalus davidiana, Chinese wild peach— - - Rollinia orthopetala, Araticu - - Juniperus foetidissima, J'uniper Morus alba pyramidalis, Mulberry- - - - - - Pasania cornea, Oak- -———-—-----— -098 Jubaea chilensis, "lilla11- ------- Carica papaya, Simmonds1 Papaya- - • Echeveria hoveyi --------- -___ — Zizyphus jujuba, Jujube Melocanna bambusoides, Muli bamboo - Belou marmelos, Bael fruit • Solanum muricatum, Pepinc- - Prunus microcarpa, Wild Cherry ------- Prunus armeniaca, Apricot Haloxylon ammo d end r on, Saxaul tree - - Crataegus pinnatifida, Large fruited haws- - 48 62 37 -No -No, -No. -No. 50 -No. 80 -No. 84 -No, No, -No, -No -No, -No -No 39 76 62 34 31 38 23 29 30 33 34 77 36 51 51 51 53 Cordeauxia edulis, Yeheb nuts- - - - — - - —No. 53 -No -No -No -No -No -No, -No. 36 -No. 37 -No, 40 -No. 83 -No. 46 -No. 47 -No. 48 -No. 49 -No. 49 -No -No -No, -No, O»G<±-L 29361 29391 29485 29537 29660 30230 30921 31111 31470 32225- 32674 33053 33912 34092 35121 35258 35904 36256 36664 36665 36702 36709 36888 37648 37846 •*«P/I ^ .D e i u ri j_ a, ±j.muiiiH,, wuuu. a,pjjxe Chloris gayana, Rhodes Grass— - - - Phoenix dactylifera, Menakher date— - — - - — Phoebe (Machilus)nanmu, Nanmu ------ Eremocitrus (Atalantia) glauca, Desert kumquat " " Australian desert kumquat Populus pruinosa,' Pruinose poplar • 11 11 11 ii ______ — 1MU . -No. -No. -No. No. No. -No. "NTn tj "Bean-vermicelli, made from the humble mung-bean, (Phascoliis radiatus) hung up to dry in the wind." This is made by soaking the beans for a day or so until quite soft, grinding them between stones while water is dripped over them till a thin milky paste obtained. This paste is washed and sifted in water till all coarse particles are removed. A small portion of the paste is then sifted through a dipper sieve into constantly stirred boiling water, and then transferred quickly into cold water, after which it is hung as shown here on lines to dry. This is much employed in soaps in China in the same way as we do noodles. Photo. No. A 2, by F. N. Meyer, Chengchow, Honan, China. Feb. 25, 1914. One of Mr. Frank N. Meyer's plant shipments ready to be sewn up in cloth and dispatched to Washington from Chengchow, Honan, China. Collectors often do not realize that many species of plants which are not bearing seeds when they are found can be transported to America in the form of cuttings provided they are carefully wrapped up in slightly moist sphagnum moss and covered with waterproof oil paper. Specially prepared directions for sending cut- tings will be sent to foreign correspondents on applica- tion. Photo. No. A 12, by F. N. Meyer, Feb. 25, 1914. 813 bushes right on the missionary property, namely, on the grounds of a former Tibetan temple called Lu ba tze and though he was hot aware of these things being good for anything but firewood, he now has become much interested in them and for all I know he might have despatched al- ready some seeds for you, for I made the arrangement with him on Nov. 27, 1914, and gave him your address and in- structions to send through the American Consul at Shanghai . I may say that the altitude of New Taochow is, by my ane- roid 9,400 feet; the climate is semi-arid, the rains fall- ing in the summer, with clear, cold winters in which com- paratively little snow falls. The growing seasons are short and local Chinese and Tibetans say that the summers are becoming cooler these last years. "He will also try to obtain for us seed of the real Moutan peony, which occurs in very inaccessible mountain (valleys in Tibet proper, where white men are not allowed to proceed to under ordinary circumstances. He has native helpers, however, who can do such a job. "In regions West and South West of Siku, heretofore unexplored by white men, I found groves of hazelnut trees growing from 80 ft. to 100 ft. in height (Corylus Ubetica?) The season for the nuts was passed long ago and 'the few nuts I collected are probably bad, since the rodents carry away all the good ones. I collected scions, however, which I hope will arrive alive. "In these same regions we went through groves of mag- nificent spruces, growing 150 ft. to 200 ft', in height and with trunks 12 to 15 ft. in circumference. I also found a few trees of very peculiar make, standing midway between a chestnut and a hazelnut. Then I noticed a Ribes growing 25 feet in height, Hippophae rhamnoides as a tree, 40 ft. tall; splendid red-barked birches (Betvula bhojpattra? ) up to 100 ft. in height and stranger yet, clumps of a very hardy small bamboo, Arundinaria nitida, growing well in the shade of firs, spruces, red and white birches and covered with snow at elevations from 8,000 to over 10,000 feet above sea level. On one mountain top even tall firs, tree-like Rhododendrons and this bamboo formed an almost impenetra- ble jungle and this place was just about 10,000 ft. in al- titude by my aneroid. I really never had expected to find a bamboo there and in such a company. "This Arundinaria nitida is really not a handsome bamboo, for it is rather leafless and dies off at the tops, the canes grow from a few feet in height up to 40 feet in very favorable localities, with much shelter, they remain very thin, however, more or less in the nature of a reed. The natives, however, use them extensively in the weaving of large mats; in basketry of various forms; as house build- ing material and in the making of strong cables, along 814 which ferry boats glide on some of the swift flowing moun- tain streams. "Well, these are a few things I am mentioning now; later on, when sending off all collected material I'll mention more things. "I am in a hole, however, as regards a competent Chi- nese interpreter! I do not know yet what I shall do. Perhaps I'll try to get a young missionary to get along with me. This desertion of my interpreter at such an in- opportune place and time has upset all of my plans for the present. And life is so fearfully primitive yet here in Kansu, it is one of the most backward provinces of all China. Pood in general is very coarse, houses are badly built, conditions at large are primitive to bhe extreme and a white man wonders why people are willing to exist only, while it would be so easy to live and to live well indeed. "Here in this city there is a station of the China Inland Mission with several workers; also a Roman Catholic Mission, with one Father, I think; also an Englsh Post master with whom I am acquainted with from Sianfu already, then last but not least, Mr. Farrer, an alpine amateur and his assistant, Wm. Purdom are here." Darjeeling, India, Mr. L. J. Mackintosh writes Sept. 28, 1914. We have a great number of plants of economic value in these hills and not a few of great medicinal value, some well known in Europe such as Cheritea and Quinine, others again quite unknown. The hill tribes are more successful in combating tropical diseases than some of the qualified doctors. I shall give you one simple example. You know the red Rhododendron arboreum ruf- escens , the hill people use for diarrhea and dysentry. The flowers are gathered and dried in the sun, then stored away for the year. They infuse about ten or twelve petals (dry) in water and take (drink) the first thing in the morning, it being considered the best time. The time how- ever matters but little. I have seen really bad cases, hopelessly neglected or muddled by others cured by this treatment. I could write a whole treatise on the economic value of plants in our district and new to our western readers. Do you think any of these plants could find a field of utility in America? If so I would be most happy to collect seeds of these plants. SCIENTIFIC STAFF OF THE OFFICE OF FOREIGN SEED AND PLANT INTRODUCTION OF THE BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. Washington Staff. David Fairchild, Agricultural Explorer in charge. P. H. Dorsett, Plant Introducer in charge of Plant Introduction Field Stations. Peter Bisset, Plant Introducer in charge of Foreign Plant Distribution. Frank N. Meyer and Wilson Popenoe, Agricultural Explorers. George W. Oliver, Plant Breeder and Propagator. H. C. Skeels, Botanical Assistant, in charge of Seed Collections and Office Herbarium. S. C. Stuntz, Botanical Assistant, in charge of Explorer's Notes, Foreign Correspondence, and Publications. R. A. Young, Botanical Assistant, in charge of Dasheen Investi- gations. Staff of Field Stations. R. L. Beagles, Assistant Farm Superintendent in charge of Chlco, Calif., Plant Introduction Field Station. H. Klopfer, Plant Propagator. J. M. Rankin, Assistant Farm Superintendent in charge of Rock- ville (Yarrow) Md., Plant Introduction Field Station. Edward Goucher, Propagator. Edward Simmonds, Gardener and Field Station Superintendent in charge of Miami, Fla. , Plant Introduction Field Station. E. R. Johnston, Assistant in charge of Brooksville, Fla., Plant Introduction Field Station. Collaborators. Mr. Aaron Aaronsohn, Haifa, Palestine. Mr. Thomas W. Brown, Cairo, Egypt. Dr. Gustav Eisen, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, Calif. Mr. E. C. Green, Coroata, Maranhao , Brazil. Mr. A. C. Hartless, Saharanpur, India. Mr. Barbour Lathrop, Chicago, 111. Mr. William S. Lyon, Manila, Philippine Islands. Miss Eliza R. Scidmore, Yokohama, Japan. Mr. Charles Simpson, Little River, Fla. Dr. L. Trabut , Director, Service Botanique, Algiers, Algeria. Mr. E. H. Wilson, Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain, Mass. L T I E ¥ Descriptive notes furnished mainly by Agricultural Explorers and Foreign Correspondents relative to the more important introduced plants which have arrived during the month at the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction of the Bureau of Plant Industry of the Department of Agri- culture. These descriptions are revised and published later in the Inventory of Plants Imported. Genera Represented in This Number ERRATUM a Applications for material listed in these multigraphed sheets may be made at any time to this Office. As they are received they are placed on file, and when the materi- al is ready for the use of experimenters it is sent to •those on the list of applicants who can show that they are prepared to care for it, as v/ell as to others selected because of their special fitness to experiment with the particular plants imported. Do not wait for the Autumn Catalogue. One of the main objects of the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction is to secure material for plant experimenters, and it will undertake as far as possible to fill any specific requests for foreign seeds or plants from plant breeders and others interested. T I Descriptive notes furnished mainly by Agricultural Explorers and Foreign Correspondents relative to the more important introduced plants which have arrived during the month at the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction of the Bureau of Plant Industry of the Department of Agri- culture. These descriptions are revised and published later in the Inventory of Plants Imported. Genera Represented in This Number. Acacia Achradelpha Annona Atalantia Diospyros Dolichos 39355 39357 39352 39358-359 39330 39324 39335 Gllricidia Kokia Lycopersicon Manihot Onobrychis Passif lora Tibouchina 39331 39354 39362 39337-340 39343 39360 39333 H a ft Crataegus pinnatifida Annona Annona salzmanni Applications for material listed in these multigraphed sheets may be made at any time to this Office. As they are received they are placed on file, and when the materi- al is ready for the use of experimenters it is sent to •those on the list of applicants who can show that they are prepared to care for it, as well as to others selected because of their special fitness to experiment with the particular plants imported. Do not wait for the Autumn Catalogue. One of the main objects of the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction is to secure material for plant experimenters, and it will undertake as far as possible to fill any specific requests for foreign seeds or plants from plant breeders and others interested. 816 Acacia horrida. (L.) Willd. (Mimosaceae „ ) 39355. Seeds of the doornboom or thorntree of South Africa, presented by Mr. J. Burtt-Davy, Agricultural Supply Association. "A glabrous flat-topped tree, usually spreading more than its height. The most widely distributed of all South African trees, extending from Capetown through the Karroo to Damaraland , Orange River Colony, Transvaal, Natal, and Delagoa Bay. Its range is however curiously affected In places, being absent, possibly through frost, in several large flat alluvial localities where single trees have grown to perfection. It ascends to about 4000 feet alti- tude from the eastern coast and considerably further from the western, but is absent from the higher parts of the Drakenburg, and seldom mixes with Proteaceae, thus indica- ting that soil as well as climate controls its distribu- tion. Occasionally it forms a fine spreading tree 30-40 feet in height, and with stem 2 feet in diameter, much more frequently it is a small umbrella-shaped tree of 10 to 15 feet in height with a clear bole only to 6 or 8 feet, and the constant regrowth dots or covers the veld with all smaller sizes in suitable localities where it is not kept down. Although usually evergreen, yet in dry cold carroid localities it is often leafless for a con- siderable part of the year, and in some localities it is continuously leafless for years in succession, and is then enormously spiny and colors the veld white instead of green. In most places its use is principally for fuel, for which purpose there is no better wood: but as this does not, except near the towns, use up all that grows, its increase in remote localities is a difficult matter to check. Fire burns the grass under mature thorn-trees without doing them much damage, and as the seeds germinate most readily after being soaked in boiling water or half roasted, those grass fires aid rather than retard re- growth. Chopping off trees at the ground only induces an abundant coppice growth, but it is found that by chop- ping them off two feet above ground during summer, the coppice growth is more easily controlled, and the stump of ten dies. Native locations usually become free of thorn- tree eventually, partly through the unrestricted native demand for fuel, kraalwood, etc., and partly through the browsing of goats, which of all artificial methods is the surest means of keeping the tree down. A small brown scale-insect, however, (Prosopophora prosopidis , var. mimosac) is found to kill the trees wholesale on the occasions of its visits in the Bedford district. During very dry win- ters it is not an uncommon practice to fell a few leafy thorn-trees daily as a green bite for stock; during summer the shade of the spreading tree is sought after by cattle and sheep; young plants are always browsed, and when ob- 817 tainable the pods are relished by goats; and for scenic effect there is. perhaps no prettier tree, growing as it often does on a flat rocky subsoil which will carry no other tree. In alluvial soil it responds freely and gives better growth, on hot rocky banks it is common, but it is never found in high dense forest. Bark rough, thick, dark; formerly much used locally in the tanning of leath- er, and even now, at about half the price per ton as com- pared with black wattle, it pays to employ it for local use, but not for export, as the percentage of tannin for the bulk is too low. "The doorn-boom is the host of an innumerable lot of pests, being often cleared of foliage by caterpillars of several large moths, and by bagwors; its timber is often bored by Apate dorsalis and Chrysobothris dorsata; certain ants occasionally inhabit the thorns and induce a most thorny development, strange gall abortions or malformations of pods are caused by a fungus; another fungus OEcidium orna- mentale makes artistic floriated curls of the young twigs; and Loranthus and mistletoe are frequent parasites. "Doorn-boom makes a strong rough hedge if soaked seed is sown in line and kept watered till germination has taken place. It is also useful for sowing in beds of in- termittent rivers with a view to arrest silt during future floods. It suffers severely during soft snowstorms, the horizontal branches and foliage breaking under a heavy weight of snow." (Sim, Forest Flora of Cape Colony.) AchradelpJia mcumrnosa (L. ) Cook. (Sapotaceae . ) 39357. Seeds of the sapote presented by the Costa Rican National Museum, San Jose. "The sapote has an open crown of large, lanceolate, coarsely-veined, deciduous leaves, and fruit with yellow flesh and a firmer and more uniform texture (than the sapodilla), not crisp like the flesh of an ap- ple, but more like that of a cooked carrot or squash. The triangular-fusiform seeds of the sapote are very large and thick and have the whole inner face covered by an enormous hilum. The sapote is of no commercia] importance, though the fruit is used extensively for food by the native pop- ulations of Central American regions and the West Indies. It ascends into the plateau regions of Central America." (Adapted from 0. F. Cook, Nomenclature of the sapote and the sapodilla, Cont. Nat. Herb., vol. 16, 1913.) Annona cherimola Miller. (Annonaceae . ) 39352, 39359. Seeds of the chirimoya from Bogota, Colombia, presented by Capt. H. R. Lemly, and by Mr. Robert Ancizar of the Colom- bian Legation. "The principal fruit cultivated by the ab- original inhabitants of western South America. Endemic in the Andes, and subtropical rather than tropical in its 818 natural habitat. Fruit with an abundance of slightly acidulous sweet juicy pulp, with a flavor somewhat like that of a pineapple. Recommended for planting in southern California in the foot-hills near the coast." (W. E. Safford.) Annona purpurea Mog. & Sesse. (Annonaceae . ) 39358. Seeds of a soncoya from San Jose, Costa Rica, presented by the Costa Rican National Museum. "This species has large aromatic fruit, velvety on the outside with raised hooked tubercles, yellow aromatic pulp, which is edible when ripe, but said to be unwholesome if eaten to excess. A medium-sized forest tree ranging from Mexico to Panama and Venezuela." (W. B. Safford.) Atalantia rnonophylla DC. (Rutaceae.) 39330. Seeds from the Royal Botanic Garden, Calcutta. "A large shrub or small tree, native to India, Ceylon, Burma, Siam, and Indo-China, usually spiny; leaves glabrous, or sometimes pubescent, 1 to 3 inches long; petioles short, slightly or not at all winged; flowers borne in axillary panicles; calyx irregularly lobed, split to the base on one side, petals usually four, stamens eight, the filaments connate and forming a completely closed tube; ovary 3-5 celled; fruit from one-half to three-fourths inch in diameter, with a skin like a lime, globose, with several cells (generally 4) , each usually containing one seed and filled with pulp- vesicles, making the fruit much like a miniature orange. This tree, still little known outside of India and Ceylon, is the type of the genus Atalantia, and one of the promis- ing species for trial as a stock on which to graft other citrus fruits, and also for use in breeding new types of citrus fruits. The fruits yield an oil which in India is considered a valuable application in chronic rheumatism. " (W. T. Swingle, in Bailey, Standard Cyclopedia of Horti- culture. ) Diospyros nigricans Wallich. (Ebenaceae.) 39324. Seeds from Allahabad, India. Presented by Mr. William Bembower, Ewing Christian College. "A tree 50 feet high, with many lax cinereous, glabescent branches; young shoots and peti- oles minutely puberulous. Leaves oval-oblong, much acumi- nate at apex, somewhat narrowed at base, alternate, turn- ing black when dry, firmly membraneous, glabrous except on midrib which is puberulous and depressed on the upper sur- face; lateral veins and net-veins delicate, not conspicu- ous above; 3-5 inches long by 1-lf inches wide; petioles one- tenth to one-seventh inch long. Male flowers in few (3-6)-f lowered short axillary puberulous cymes, one-fourth to one- third inch long; bracts small, imbricated. Calyx 819 with scattered short ferruginous hairs outside, shortly 4- lobed. Corolla- with few scattered short hairs outside, deeply (two-thirds) lobed, slender; lobes reflexed at apex. Stamens 32 in one case, very unequal, many minute, glabrous. Fruit glabrous, ovoid or globose, pointed at apex, about two-thirds inch long, 4-celled, 4-seeded, solitary. Fruiting calyx 4-partite, with scattered fer- ruginous hairs outside, nearly glabrous inside; with oval, flat, spreading or reflexed lobes, one-third inch long. Seeds oblong, two-fifths inch long; albumen not ruminated, embryo nearly as long as the albumen. Fruiting peduncles shortly hispid, one-fifth inch long, patent, unilateral, bearing 2 small bracts. From Khasia, East Bengal, and Silhet." (Hiern, Monograph of the Ebenaceae.) For breeding experiments and to test as a possible stock for the per- simmon. Dolichos hosei Craib. (Fabaceae.) 39335. Seeds of the Sarawak bean from Kuala Lumpur, Malay States. Presented by the Director, Department of Agriculture. "I have found a small creeping bean of the Vigna family which is indige- nous to Sarawak, but as yet I have been unable to as- certain its name, and I think it is just possible that it has never been reported from Sarawak. This bean appears to fulfil all that is required (low-growing leguminous plant which can be dug into the soil and reproduce itself in time to check the growth of weeds) and grows readily from cuttings, but seeds are very difficult to procure. The flower is yellow and the leaf a rich light green; the roots do not penetrate the ground more than one inch; the plant forms a thick level mass about six inches thick on the ground, and it will grow on almost any soil, but for preference a light soil, and in six months after planting should prevent all washing if planted three feet apart. I have been planting this bean with rubber for three years and have now 200 acres planted with it, and it has proved itself in every way a success." (Hose, in Agricultural Bulletin of the Federated Malay States.) Gliricidia septum (Jacq. ) Kunth. (Fabaceae.) 39331. Seeds of the "Madre de cacao" from Manila. Presented by Mr. D. LeRoy Topping, Bureau of the Treasury. "I used it for a house decoration and had stalks of it fully ten feet long that were a mass of bloom, and everybody exclaimed 'quite like a bit of Japan. ' The plant is inclined to sprawl and if wanted purely for ornamental purposes it v/ould be well to prune it." (Topping.) Kokia drynarioides (Seem.) Lewton. (Malvaceae.) 39354. Seeds from Mahana, Molokai, Hawaii. Presented by Mr. Joseph F. Rock, Botanist, College of Hawaii. This very 820 interesting relative of the cottons was supposed to be extinct, a single tree only remaining on the Molokai ranch where it occurred, but during the summer this tree supposed to be dead, revived and a single branch put forth leaves and flowers and produced a few seeds. These seeds were procured for this Office by Mr. Rock, and will be propa- gated for distribution for comparison with Kokia Rocltii, already widely distributed to botanic gardens. Lycopersicon esculentwm Miller. (Solanaceae . ) 39362. Seeds of a wild tomato from Funchal , Madeira. Presented by Mr. Charles H. Gable, Director, Junta Agricola. "The little wild tomato, Lycopersicon vulgare cerasiforme which is found in Madeira is considered by Lowe (Manual Flora of Madeira) as being the original stock from which our culti- vated varieties have been derived. The same author states that besides 'growing spontaneously everywhere below 2000 feet above Funchal and other towns and villages in Ma- deira, it is completely naturalized on the central rocky crest of the North Deserta. ' The North Deserta is an al- most barren, uninhabitated island which lies about thirty miles north from Madeira. The selection which has taken place in the development of our cultivated varieties has not greatly changed the general appearance of the plant. The v/riter has not had the opportunity of making the care- ful botanical study necessary for the intelligent compari.- son of the characters presented by this wild tomato and our cultivated varieties, so there will be presented here only very brief observations of the conditions in which the plants grow. One of these plants was transplanted to a favorable part of the garden where the ground was rich, and had plenty of moisture. It made a tremendous growth, and at the end of three months, the plant was five feet in diameter and three and one-half feet high. Unfortunately the plant was destroyed, so that it was impossible to com- plete the record. Another plant was found where it could not ,have had a drop of water for at least three months. It probably had started to grow during the last few rains of the spring, but had completed its growth during the heat and drought of the summer. The particular spot where it grew was the hottest of the hottest part of the island. When it was found, the vine was apparently entirely dead, and lying flat on the ground; the leaves had dried up and dropped off, but the fruits every one of which was ripe, were clinging to the vine. It also seemed very strange to find that the fruits were all plump and firm, over three hundred of them on this one vine. The fruits are so very acid that they can be used for little else besides soups, and the natives do not use them a great deal even for that. Their keeping quality, however, may prove a desir- CRATAEGUS PINNATIFIDA. "Three sticks with Chinese Haw fruits, over which molten sugar has been poured and a wooden bowl with haw fruits." Little horticultural study seems to have been given to the question of edible fruited hawthorns although we have several large fruited forms adapted to cultivation over a wide range of territory. (Fairchild). Photo No. 981, by F. N. Meyer, Tai an fu, Shantung, China, March 20, 1914. Chinese Haw Trees. "A few grafted specimens of a large fruited variety of Chinese Haw tree (Crataegus pinnafifida) near a farmer's house showing off its typical, low-branching habit." The fact that the culture of this fruit is increasing in China and that the fruits themselves make a most excellent jelly warrant experimenters in giving it a preliminary trial in this country. (Fairchild.) Photo No. 983, by F. N. Meyer, near Tai an fu, Shantung, China March 29, 1914. 821 able characteristic in crossing with some of the highly developed varieties with the object of obtaining a good shipping tomato of pleasing flavor." (Gable.) Manihot spp. (Euphorbiaceae . ) 39337-340. Seeds of manigoba rubber trees from Bahia, Brazil. Presented by Dr. V. A. Argollo Perrao. "The good name that Jequie rub- ber had was on account of being prepared in sheets and pure, because the Manihot dichotoma is tapped on the bark in 'porangos (tins)' like Hevea, so such rubber is clean from impurities and is easily prepared in thin sheets of nice appearance. Manihot heptaphylla (Rio Sao Francisco zone) and Manihot piauhyensis (State of Piauhy) being tapped near the roots, if not tapped carefully, give rubber that have large proportions of sand and clay. As to quality the Jequie is the worst, for it has resins and less elas- ticity. Growers who planted M. dichotoma succeeded badly because the growth of the trees is extraordinarily vari- able. Seedlings from the same tree show an extraordinary variability of leaves and growth. M. dichotoma requires at least six years as a rule before tapping. The best va- riety for plantations is M. piauhyensis, for it gives the best rubber, and can be tapped at three years (even at two under good conditions.) With low prices of manigoba rub- ber, manigoba can only give profits if labor is very cheap, not exceeding thirty cents per day. Manigobas will not stand frosts (I have seen some severely injured in Sao Paulo by slight frosts in coffee districts.) Manigoba re- quires a rainy season in summer. The M. heptaphylla and M. dichotoma are found in parts of the state of Bahia on the other side of the chain of mountains that divide the state in two climates. Between mountains and sea, rains occur during winter, and on the other side, from mountains to Rio Sao Francisco rainfall is in summer. Manigoba grows in the second zone if planted but does not give much rubber nor good quality, as Villa Nova plantations show, although trees have the best appearance. (Villa Nova is on the mountain that divides the climatic zones of the states. In mountains you have rains in summer and 'neb- lines' (fog rain) in winter). In the manigoba districts there are heavy rains during summer for four to six months, such rains may last for ten days, day and night. There are no rains during the dry season and from time to time, about once in ten years, the summer rains fall. In our state people who have manigoba forest or plantations, are investing in cotton because the low price of rubber does not give enough profits to pay for tapping trees. Manigoba will not stand stagnant water." (Argollo Ferrao.) Onobrychis vulgaris Hill. (Fabaceae.) 39343. Seed of sainfoin from Paris. Purchased from Vilmorin-Andrieux and 822 company. One of nine forage crops little known in this country introduced for the work of the Office of Forage Crop Investigations. Among the others are the serradella, gorse or whin, yellow trefoil, various lupines, Scotch broom and giant spurry. Passiflora ligularis Juss. (Passif loraceae . ) 39360. Seeds of a granadilla from Bogota, Colombia. Presented by Dr. Anclzar, secretary of the Colombian Legation, through Mr. W. E. Safford. "An egg-shaped fruit with parchment-like shell filled with an abundance of sweet juice and many small seeds. Used in tropical America for making sherbets and ices alone or with the addition of lemon juice or spices. Of easy culture in all the warm localities, grow- ing in the form of a vine from trellises and arbors, and desirable not only for its fruit but its beautiful flow- ers." (Safford.) Tibouchina stenocarpa ( DC . ) Cogn. (Melastomaceae . ) 39333. Seeds from Lavras , Minas Geraes, Brazil. Presented by Mr. Benjamin H. Hunnicutt, Director, Escola Agricola de Lavras . "Seeds of a wild shrub, commonly called 'Quaresma' or 'Lent,1 as it blooms at Lent. It has a beautiful purple flower and the blooming season covers a number of months. It grows well on the poorest, driest grounds we have and blooms during the dry season. I think it has been culti- vated in some gardens in Brazil, although I have never seen it. Ornamental only." NOTES FROM CORRESPONDENTS ABROAD. China. Tientsin. Dr. Yamei Kin writes November 18 in reply for information concerning peach blossoms, "I had just sent off a letter with some seeds when yours with photos of the peach flowers and Inquiries came to hand. "I will do as you request and take a special look at the orchards of the vicinity when they come into bloom this spring, but I thought it might interest you to know the answers to my questions from the people of my staff and country patients that happen to be on the premises. "Without saying anything about what your inquiries were (whether the blossoms were typically large and clear pure white, or small and creamy white) I merely took the photos and asked them if they were like the peach flowers that they were accustomed to see in their fruit orchards. Unanimously without the slightest hesitation they pointed to the photo with the intermediate and small flowers, and generally designated voluntarily the middle branch (that with small, relatively inconspicuous flowers) as being the most like, and also remarked that the color was white as a rule though pink ones were not unknown. A few people said 823 nod that the right hand branch (with intermediate sized flow- ers) was more like an apricot thaifc 'a peach blocnrt. The photo of the large conspicuous" "white-flowered 'type-some did not recognize as being a peach flower , -"'though* : others said that kind was never cultivated in the orchards but only for ornament, as it never bore anything' but scrubby little fruit, bitter and leathery. Now my own recollection, though I do not recollect; ever having been through a peach orchard here in North China during flowering "season, only passing them in the railway train, is that the orchards show white predominatingly, and I distinctly rec-ollect trying to get some pink double flov/ering peach "pott-ed plants last spring and was rather struck with the fact that I could not find anything except clear pure:white, as you say, not even the cerise colored ones -which I 'know are" abundant in south and west China and in Japans Yet "•r-£h9 ordinary name for pink is peach flower color, and notwith- standing the love of Chinese for color, it is 'use-d spar- ingly, in fact, owing to its being associated 'With the peach blossom, seems to have an unsavory 'st'gnlfidsrricev as" I found when I came home one day with 'a pink -satin'- brocade gown that I had just purchased. My people' held up-'tlieii* hands in horror, and exclaimed it was a mer^dy that? I -'did not intend to wear thab here, it would-only do fdr outside countries that did not know about peach flowers1, which -'re- marks led me to leave it in America when r canie « "fcacK" though it was a very lovely ddlioate " color and L6Hef ^of my prettiest gowns. "The reason for this prejudice i3 #wing 'flo Jits film's bolism. Just as the violet is considered fn-Twes1Je'rA lands to be the symbol of modest worth, so;the plum "is" 'that T0f feminine virtue in China and the peach flower tfee 'oppo- site. Not even the beauty of its color, whether ' 'delicat?4 pink or deep cerise, redeems it from tills fatal signifi- cance. In order that there may be no possibl6 for a 'peach flower heart1' to spring 'up • unaware s"J In girl of respectable family, it is not considered plant a peach of any kind near the bed room windows oof court yards inhabited by the women, yet peach wands supposed to be especially useful to: beat ^off fall T spirits, only they must be plucked during a soEar and -a hole bored through one end for hang-ing up -'by , a lunar eclipse, which perhaps accounts for thei'r '.fewness , as during those times in the old days the people generally busily occupied in beating goings and yf irin crackers to drive away the heavenly dogs :which we're* posed to be devouring those luminaries ,. •> -and rro 'one .had time to think of making peach wands! The Iu~eky pS tS> a Hedge of the Pitanga or Surinam cherry in Bahia, Brazil. An old Chinese elm in the Lama Temple Yard, Pekln. An old Mango tree at Alta da Santo Antonio, Itaparica, Brazil. The White Barked Pine of China. Applications for material listed in these multigraphed sheets may be made at any time to this Office. As they are received they are placed on file, and when the materi- al is ready for the use of experimenters it is sent to those on the list of applicants who can show that they are prepared to care for it, .as well as to others selected because of their special fitness to experiment with the particular plants imported. Do not wait for the Autumn Catalogue . One of the main objects of the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction is to secure material for plant experimenters, and it will undertae as far as possible to fill any specific requests for foreign seeds or plants from plant breeders and others interested. 844 • .Mr* Annona cherimola x squamosa. (Artnoftaceae) . 39808-816. Cuttings of nine varieties of the atemoya, a new hybrid between the cherimoya and the sugarapple, from Lamao , Bataan, P. I. Presented by Mr. P. J. Wester, Horticulturist, Lamao Experiment Station. "In 1908, at the subtropical labor- atory, Miami, Fla. , the writer successfully hybridized the cherimoya and the sugarapple, the sugarapple and the c ustardapple , the cherimoya and the mamon, and the mamon and the sugarapple. Several hundred seedlings resulted from this work, part of which were planted out in 1910, the hybrids between the cherimoya and the sugarapple show- ing remarkable vigor and thriftiness. In 1911 hybrid seeds of the same combination from a cross made in 1910 were brought to the Philippines and the seeds sown in March of the same year. These hybrids exhibited the same remarkable vigor and some attained a height of 2.3 meters in one year and bloomed when they were 16 months old. No fruits resulted, however. This year, (1913) in the course of the reorganization work at Lamao, where the plants are growing, it became necessary to transplant the hybrids, and their fruiting is on that account unfortunately delay- ed for another year." (Wester, Philippine Agric. Review, July 1913.) The further history of these hybrids is told in the Review for February 1914, "The blossoming season of the cherimoya is somewhat in advance of that of the cus- tardapple, but owing perhaps in part to the shock and re- tardation due to the transplanting, a few flowers appeared in June on one of the transplanted hybrids. One of these was pollinated with pollen from the custardapple (A. retic- ulata L.) with the result that it set, and a fruit devel- oped and ripened October 8, 1913. The following is a de- scription of the fruit: size small, weight 280 grams; length 7.7 centimeters, equatorial diameter 7.6 centi- meters; cordiform in shape, with prominent carpels and distinct areoles; exterior yellowish green, almost glab- rous; skin very thick and tough; flesh white, tender and melting, with a slight trace of fiber, juicy, subacid, rich and aromatic; flavor excellent, very similar to a good cherimoya with a dash of the delicate sweetness of the sugarapple; seeds 4 to 7, similar in shape to cheri- moya seed but darker colored. The fruit is rather small but regular and well shaped, about the size of a sugarap- ple, which was to be expected considering that the father parent, the cherimoya, was also undersized. With the em- ployment of large-fruited cherimoyas for the breeding work we may also anticipate a progeny with larger fruits. The atemoya plants, of which there are 23 that have not yet fruited, are very similar in appearance to the cherimoya, and the fruit is also practically identical with the prominent-carpelled cherimoyas. Superior to the sugarap- FORESTRY CfUfGf, OF A ASRlCUtruRC PIT* OFCAUFORNIA pie, it is not claimed that the atemoya is an improvement upon the cherimoya, but it has been hoped that by crossing the cherimoya with the sugarapple the excellent flavor of the subtropical cherimoya, which does not succeed well in the low altitudes near the equator, might be imparted to the progeny, and that the other parent from the lowlands would impart to it adaptability to a tropical climate. It would seem that this anticipation has been realized in the above instance. The name 'atemoya,' which is here being proposed for this new race of fruits, is derived from a combination of one of the old original names of the sugar- apple, Ate pannicensis, quoted from Hernandez, in his work 'Nova Plantarum Animalium et Mineralium Mexicanorum His- toria, ' published in 1651, and cherimoya." (Wester.) Of the nine plants represented by cuttings, No. 39809 repre- sents the plant which fruited in 1913, the remainder first bore fruit in 1914. Citrus bcrgamm Risso. (Rutaceae.) 39699, 39712. Seeds of the bergamot orange from Naples and Catania, Italy. Presented by the American consuls. "A small tree: leaves oblong-oval, with long, winged petioles: flowers small, white, very fragrant: fruits pyriform, three-fourths inch in diameter, thin-skinned, pale yellow when ripe: pulp acid: seeds oblong, many. Extensively cultivated in Ca- labria for the essential oil which is expressed from the peel and used in making eau de Cologne and other per- fumes." (Swingle, in Bailey, Standard Cyclopedia of Horti- culture. ) Diospyros ebenaster Retz. (Ebenaceae.) 39698, 39719. Cut- tings and seeds of the black sapote from Sante Fe , Isle of Pines, Cuba. Presented by Mr. H. S. Jones. "The sapote prieto or sapote negro (black sapote) of Mexico, an inter- esting fruit belonging to the persimmon family. The tree grows in compact shapely form, and is of very ornamental appearance with its oblong-oval, glossy leaves about 4 inches long. In appearance the fruits greatly resemble some varieties of the Kaki or Japan persimmon; in place of being bright orange, however, they are light green when ripe, and measure 2-g- to 3 and even 4 inches in diameter. In shape they are oblate or distinctly flattened and the pesistent, light green calyx is quite prominent. The in- terior of the fruit, when ripe, is anything but attractive in appearance, the flesh being dark brown or almost black in appearance, and of a greasy consistency. The flavor is sweet but rather lacking in character; for this reason the Mexicans frequently serve the fruit cut up, or mashed up, with orange juice; it is a first rate dish. The seeds 846 look like those of the persimmon and are not very numer- ous. According to Mr. Jones, the fruit ripens in the Isle of Pines from the last part of December to the middle of February. The tree is rare outside of certain parts of Mexico, but has done well at Mr. Jones' place. It seems worthy of much wider dissemination throughout the tropics. Types from the cooler parts of Mexico have withstood a little frost in Southern California, yet the trees cannot be considered very hardy." (Wilson Popenoe.) Erytlica edulis (Viend.1. ) S. Watson. (Phoenicaceae . ) 39740. Seeds of the Guadeloupe Island palm from Santa Barbara, Calif. Presented by Mr. W. H. Morse, through Mr. 0. P. Cook, of this Bureau. "This palm has been found in the wild state only on Guadeloupe Island, off the coast of Lower California, but it has been planted widely .in the coast region of California and undoubtedly is one of the finest, and at the same time one of the hardiest of the whole series of ornamental palms. In California it ap- pears to be more hardy than Washingtonia, and since Wash- ingtonia is being grown at Charleston and other Atlantic Coast points, the Guadeloupe Island palm may also be able to survive. At least, it should be given a fair trial. It may not be as well suited to Florida, on account of the hot humid summer. Trachycarpus also does not thrive there in summer. I would suggest that seedlings be grown for experimental planting in the Carolinas and other Atlantic Coast states." (Cook.) Ficus sp. (Moraceae.) 39828. Cuttings of a fig from Rome. Presented by Dr. Gustav Eisen. "Harrar. A fig from Abyssinia, most interesting and different from Ficus carica. Possibly a variety of Ficus pseudocaiica . Fruit medium, outside violet brown, pulp reddish brown-ver- milion, brilliant. Sweeter and better flavored than any other variety when full ripe. Growth of branches some- what pendent, leaves like Broussonetia papyrifera. Abundant bearer and hardy. Suited, I think, to Texas, Arizona and southern California. May also do well in some parts of the south as it can stand considerable summer rains." (Eisen. ) Ipomea batat as ( L . ) Poir. (Convolvulaceae . ) 39729-735, 39741-742, 39799-802, 39831-833. Tubers of sweet potatos from Cuba. Presented by Mr. Juan T. Roig, Botanist, Agri- cultural Experiment Station, Santiago de las Vegas. Six- teen varieties for the experiments of the Office of Horti- cultural and Pomological Investigations. Malus sp. (Malaceae.) 39829. Cuttings of an apple from Rome. Presented by Dr. Gustav Eisen. "Limoncella or HEDGE OF THE PITANGA OR SURINAM CHERRY IN BAHIA, BRAZIL. Although the Surinam cherry (Eugenia unifloin) has be- come a well known shrub in Florida its frequent use as a hedge in Brazil may suggest a similar use for it in Flor- ida. It is an evergreen and its crimson fruits ripen throughout the winter and when perfectly ripe are very palatable. It is not spiny and in this respect is infe- rior to Carissa. Photo No. 15283 by Dorsett, Bahia, Brazil, Nov. 25, 1913. An Old Chinese Elm in the Lama Temple Yard, Pekin. The Chinese Elm (Ulj)ius pumila] has proven to be per- fectly hardy in the North West and is attracting consider- able attention because of its rapid growth and attractive appearance. It cannot compare with the American elm as an avenue tree but has a picturesqueness about it which will make it a useful tree for dooryards and parks. Photo No. 5103, by F. N. Meyer, Pekin, China, Dec. 25, 1905. 847 Limoncello apple. Middle and southern Italy, especially Naples, down to and including Sicily. The only apple adapted to a warm' and dry climate, at the s.ame time pos- sessing qualities which compare favorably with those of good northern apples. The best variety of apple grown in Italy for the general market. Medium or below medium-, apex truncate, constricted below the apex, wider at base. Oblong, much longer than wide. Stalk short, slender, core long, narrow, solid, with very few seeds, flesh solid, white, sweet and subacid, crisp and juicy. Color of skin lemon yellow, shaded to a very slight pinkish flush. Fla- vor strong, agreeable, resembling that of certain red Cabernet grapes. Very fine shipper. Ripe from end of No- vember to February. This variety is not. to be preferred to our better American apples in the northern states, its value consisting in its adaptability to warm countries where the northern apples do not thrive. Should do well in California, Arizona, and Texas, in localities with deep and rich soil. It is superior to any California apples grown on the central and southern plains and compares well with those grown in the mountains, except as to size. Re- tails at 35, 40 to 50 centesimi a kilo, or from one-half to one cent American each, more or less according to size." (Eisen. ) Marsdeiiia tenacissima (Roxb.) Wight & Arnott. (Asclepia- daceae.) 39685. Seed from the Royal Botanic Garden, Sib- pur, near Calcutta, India. Presented by Mr. C. C. Calder. "A climbing plant distributed throughout the lower Hima- layas, ascending to 5000 feet from Kumaon to Assam and Burma. The plant is fond of dry barren localities , twining on the bushes and small trees. The bark of the steip yields a large quantity of beautiful fine silky fiber which is extracted by cutting the stems into sections and then scraping them clean with the finger nails or with a stick. The mountaineers of Rajmahal make their bowstrings from this fiber because of its strength and durability. In Dr. Roxburgh's test of twine made from this fiber he found that in the dry and wet states it bore a strain of 248 and 343 pounds, when hemp in the same state bore 158 and 190 pounds. More recent tests however, place it below hemp in strength, but above it in elasticity . The fiber is much used in making fishing nets and is not liable to injury by submersion in water. One of the chief charac- teristics of this fiber is its elasticity and it is con- sidered to be the second best fiber in India. This spe- cies, though producing a good fiber is not in general cul- tivation, for, being a climber, difficulties exist with which the Indian cultivator has not attempted to deal. A milky juice exudes from the cuts on the stems which thick- ens into an elastic substance which acts In the same way 848 as India rubber in removing black lead marks." (Watt, Dictionary of Economic Products of India, and Dodge, Use- ful Fiber Plants of the World.) Pittosporum macrophyllum Laut. & K. Sen. (Plttospora- ceae.) 39728. Seeds from Nice, France. Presented by Dr. A. Robertson-Proschowsky. "The plant has existed in my garden for more than 20 years. It is the most beautiful of the dozen or so Pittosporum species which I cultivate. The leaves occasionally attain nearly the size of those of Magnolia giundiflora and the flowers are perhaps not sur- passed in fragrance by any other flower. Indeed the fra- grence is most exquisite. Would such highly fragrant flowers not be of value for the extraction of perfume?" (Proschowsky . ) Prunus pseudo-cerasus Lindl. (Amygdalaceae . ) 39743-798, 39820-826. Cuttings of sixty-three varieties of Japanese flowering cherries from Tokyo, Japan. Presented by the Arnold Arboretum through its collector, Mr. E. H. Wilson. The Arnold Arboretum sent Mr. E. H. Wilson to Japan last year for the purpose, among other things, of arranging for an authentic named collection of the Japanese Cherry Blos- som trees. Mr. Wilson secured botanical specimens of a large private collection of these trees and the budwood was taken by him personally from the same trees and the budwood from each variety was given its own correct Japan- ese name by the owner of the collection who is known to be an authority on cherry blossom trees. This collection will be propagated and sent out under a cooperative agree- ment with the Arboretum and under these authentic Japanese names made permanent by Mr. Wilson's herbarium specimens. Quercus insignis Mart. & Gall. (Fagaceae.) 39723. Acorns of a white oak from Zacuapam, Vera Cruz, Mexico. Purchas- ed from Dr. C. A. Purpus. "They were sent to me by a friend Sr. Guillermo Ziche from Huatusco and were col- lected in the Sierras west of town at about 1500-1600 feet altitude. I am sure you will be able to grow them in the southern part of Florida where the palms (Roystonea regia) grow. They need a moist climate, sub-tropical forests do well." (Purpus.) "The tree is rapid in growth, and quite different in habit from most oaks. It reaches an ultimate height of 60 to 80 feet or more, is quite erect, and sends out large branches at the height of 30 or 40 feet above the ground. It is found in considerable abundance about midway down the flanks of Mount Orizaba, being most common about Chiapas, according to Dr. C. A. Purpus, who has recently been collecting in that region. It is a white oak, matur- ing its fruit the first season; and being a white oak, its 849 fruit has sufficient edible quality to be available at least as stock food. 'The only other oaks that approxi- mate it in size', according to Dr. William Trelease of the University of Illinois, who directed the attention of the American Genetic Association to the species, 'are a close relative, Q. stronibocarpa , of the same region, and a Guate- malan black oak, Q. skinneri, the latter apparently an equally large tree, and with acorns two inches in diameter but presumably bitter or astringent like our own black acorns.' The nuts of the Q. insignis are usually about two inches in diameter but may reach two and a half inches. Their weight is from 50 to 65 grams each. In view of its range, the tree is naturally to be supposed unsuited to a temperate climate, but Dr. Purpus writes, 'I think it a very useful tree which could be raised in Florida, Cuba, Porto Rico, etc.' If it is found to be well adapted, it is possible that native species of oaks could in some cases be grafted over with the more productive new one, thus yielding a large crop of acorns with very little trouble or care. Hybridizing experiments should also be tried with some of the best North American oaks, with a view to seeing whether the size of their acorns cannot be increased." (Journal of Heredity, vol. 5, no. 9, p. 406.) Tamarix pentandra Pallas. (Tamaricaceae . ) 39692. Seeds of a tamarisk from the Tiflis Botanic Garden, Tiflis, The Caucasus. Presented by the Director. "A deciduous shrub or small tree, ultimately from 12 to 15 feet high, or up- wards, with long, slender, plumose branches. Leaves very small, pointed; the largest one-eighth inch long, arranged at intervals along the flowering shoots; the smallest one- fifth as large, and crowded fifty or more to the inch. Flowers arranged densely in slender, sometimes branching racemes, 1 to 5 inches long, each tiny blossom one-eighth inch across, rosy pink; they cover the whole terminal part of the current year's shoot, which is this transformed during August into a huge plume-like panicle of blossom as much as 3 feet long. Sepals, petals, and stamens, all five in number. Native of southeastern Europe and Asia Minor, especially on the banks of tidal rivers. This beautiful tamarisk is quite hardy, and one of the most pleasing of late-flowering shrubs. It should be planted in groups large enough for its soft rosy plumes to produce an effect in the distance. To obtain it at its best, it is neces- sary to cut it back every winter almost to the old wood. It then sends up the long slender branches which flower for six weeks or so in August and September. It is propa- gated with the greatest ease by making cuttings, 6 to 9 inches long, in early winter of the stoutest part of the season's growth, and putting them in the ground out-of- 850 doors, like willows. It has been called a variety of T. hispida, but that species, as stated above, is very dis- tinct in its downy twigs and leaves." (W. J. Bean, Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles.) As a wind break plant the Tamarisk is proving to be very valuable on the Great Plains and it is recommended for this purpose. Zea mays L. (Poaceae.) 39803-807. Seed of maize from Oroya, Peru. Collected and presented by Dr. J. N. Rose, U. S. National Museum. "Corn obtained from Chola women, July 1914, altitude 12200 feet." (Rose.) Five varieties including light yellow, mixed blue and white, brownish and red. NOTES PROM CORRESPONDENTS ABROAD. China. Kiayingchow. Rev. George Campbell writes April 13, 1915. "You refer, of course, to the water buffalo. As I write, people are using these animals in ploughing their rice fields. The are exactly fitted for plouhing and harrowing in the deep mud, and wallow through the fields dragging the ploughs after them as no other animal could. They are never used here as pack animals, and we have no carts or vehicles of any kind. While I was at home, in 1913, there was some talk of making a cart road from here to a market town 17 or 18 miles north, and an enterprising native came to my daughter to borrow a mail order cata- logue and see what carts to be drawn by buffaloes would cost. Nothing came of it, however, and I hear no more about the road. They are used in some places to a limited extent to supply milk. I suppose there may be 20 or more so used in this city. "The loquats are just coming into the market now. They are our earliest fruit. They vary greatly in size and the seeds are usually very large. The trees thrive and come into bearing early. The branches tend to split at junction with the trunk and borers attack the trees, caterpillars also. "Tobacco is a couple of feet high and the fields are invariably edged with taro. Beans are growing well and are extensively planted. Wistaria and Pride of India are in bloom, and grapes are leafing out a little. Peaches and almonds are as large as hickory nuts. Mulberries are loaded to the ground with fruit. One plant of rhubarb is doing very well. "I stumbled on something the other day while at an out-station which may interest you. A tailor who has been abroad (Rangoon) called on me and asked if anything could be done for his 10 year old son who has epilepsy. I en- quired about his heredity. He told me that he bought the An Old Mango Tree at Alto Da Santo Antonio, Itaparica, Brazil. Although a native of Asia the Mango (Mangifera indict was introduced into South America so early that giant trees of it are often found there. Few fruit trees reach a larger size and bear fruit longer than the mango. The illustration is of a seedling tree but very old grafted trees occur in India and certain of the Philippine vari- eties of delicious quality come true to seed. Photo No. 14556 by Dorsett, Dec. 24, 1913, Bahia. The White Barked Pine of China. A trio of white barked pines (Piiius buugeuna] , grow- ing in a field about twelve miles west of Pekin, China. There is little that is particularly attractive about this pine when it is young but in its old age it is said to rank among the most striking of landscape trees because after fifty years old the outer bark flakes off and the trunk becomes almost as white as that of the birch. Photo No. 5015 by F. N. Meyer, taken Dec. 29, 1915, near PeKin. 851 child while on a trip to Sz-chwan Province. He was one of five boys all sold by the parents to furnish funds for opium and gambling, but he was the last one sold perhaps because unsound. But what interested me was the errand that took him a thousand miles or more from home. "He was peddling Chang-hiong kien, a sort of cloth made from cocoons spun by the wild silk worm, the manufac- ture of which is the most ancient industry of this region. Chang -hioiig is the ancient name of this city, which has been famed for many centuries as the place where alone this fabric is made. It is a sort of khaki color and very strong and little affected by exposure to moisture. It is regarded as the best thing for shrouds and supposed to last until bodies wrapped in it mold to dust. Of late years, and especially since the establishment of the re- public, it has become less popular and hard to sell. "The eggs are obtained from the Province of Honan (the cradle of the Hokkas, as you will see in my 'Origin and Migrations of the Hokkas') and the worms feed on a variety of trees. The worms are larger, healthier, and spin larg- er cocoons than the domestic variety. "Since the cloth declined in value quite a trade has sprung up in the cocoons, which are bought by agents of Japanese firms and shipped to that country, usually in June and July. "It occurs to me that this material may be adapted to some specialized use by its peculiar qualities. It comes in pieces 8 or 9 yards long and about 15 inches wide, selling at present for about $7 Mex. The cocoons are boiled and sold partly by weight and partly by number. They might be worth something in U. S. A. "The business has of late years been carried on main- ly by one family or clan. The cocoons are furnished and weavers are paid for making the cloth. Peddlers went in every direction with the cloth and penetrated to distant provinces . "This city was the center of the human hair industry so prosperous six or eight years ago, and this family went into it largely, collecting hair in a radius of a thousand miles. That business was overdone, though fortunes were made for a while, and this trade in cloth was neglected, and I had supposed was about defunct. "I will look into this further, if you think it worth while. I understand some hundreds of pieces are still made every year, or can be if the cocoons are not other- wise disposed of." SCIENTIFIC STAFF OF THE OFFICE OF FOREIGN SEED AND PLANT INTRODUCTION OF THE BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. Washington Staff. David Falrchild, Agricultural Explorer in charge. P. H. Dorsett, Plant Introducer in charge of Plant Introduction Field Stations. Peter Bisset, Plant Introducer in charge of Foreign Plant Distribution. Frank N. Meyer and Wilson Popenoe, Agricultural Explorers George W. Oliver, Plant Breeder and Propagator. H. C. Skeels, Botanical Assistant, in charge of Seed Collections. S. C. Stuntz, Botanical Assistant, in charge of Explorer's Notes, Foreign Correspondence and Publications. R. A. Young, Botanical Assistant, in charge of Dasheen Investi- gations . G. P. Van Eseltine, Assistant, in charge of Label Catalogue, and Office Herbarium. Staff of Field Stations. R. L. Beagles, Assistant Farm Superintendent in charge of Chico, Calif., Plant Introduction Field Station. H. Klopfer, Plant Propagator. J. M. Rankin, Assistant Farm Superintendent in charge of Rock- ville Md., (Yarrow) Plant Introduction Field Station. Edward Goucher, Propagator. Edward Simmonds, Gardener and Field Station Superintendent in charge of Miami, Fla., Plant Introduction Field Station. E. R. Johnston, Assistant in charge of Brooksville, Fla., Plant Introduction Field Station. Collaborators. Mr. Aaron Aaronsohn, Haifa, Palestine. Mr. Thomas W. Brown, Cairo, Egypt. Dr. Gustav Eisen, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, Calif. Mr. E. C. Green, Servigo do Algodao no Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Mr. A. C. Hartless, Saharanpur, India. Mr. Barbour Lathrop, Chicago, 111. Mr. William S. Lyon, Manila, Philippine Islands. Miss Eliza R. Scidmore, Yokohama, Japan. Mr. Charles Simpson, Little River, Fla. Dr. L. Trabut, Director, Service Botanique, Algiers, Algeria. Mr. E. H. Wilson, Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain, Mass. • L T X di r A A . .FGl or • £KS. I V OF CML . ORNIA Descriptive notes furnished mainly by Agricultural Explorers and Foreign Correspondents relative to the more important introduced plants which have arrived during the month at the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction of the Bureau of Plant Industry of the Department of Agri- culture. These descriptions are revised and published later in the Inventory of Plants Imported. Genera Represented in This Number. Abies Acer Amygdalus Betula Castanopsis Citrus Corylus Daphne Deringa Diospyros 39860 39983-987 39988 39898 39989-991 39909 39875 39897 39907 39914 39869 39912-913 Euonymus Hicksbeachia Malus Prunus Ribes Salix Tamarix Viburnum 39903 39871 39923 39899 39902 39911 39918 39910 39916 39921-922 39856 39998 Eilft 0 a Amygdalus tangutica. A Chinese Wild Almond. Citrus sp. from Kansu, China. Pnuius persica potanini. Potanin's Chinese wild peach. Applications for material listed in these multigraphed sheets may be made at any time to this Office. As they are received they are placed on file, and when the materi- al is ready for the use of experimenters It is sent to those on the list of applicants who can show that they are prepared to care for it, as well as to others selected because of their special fitness to experiment with the particular plants imported. Do not wait for the Autumn Catalogue. One of the main objects of the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction is to secure material for plant experimenters, and it will undertake as far as possible to fill any specific requests for foreign seeds or plants from plant breeders and others interested. 854 Mies spp. (Pinaceae.) 39860, 39983-987. Seeds of Jap- anese firs received through the Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain, Mass., from the collections of Mr. E. H. Wilson. Abies mariesii Masters, one of the rarest of silver firs, A. sachalinensis (Schmidt) Masters, attaining 130 feet in height, and probably very hardy, A. uiribellata Mayr, a beautiful hardy tree, and a variety of A. veitchii Lindl., with olive yellow cones, an especially handsome small conifer. Acer capillipes Maxim. (Aceraceae.) 39988. Seed of a Japanese maple received through the Arnold Arboretum from the collections of Mr. E. H. Wilson. A handsome maple closely allied to A. pennsylvanicwm , which it resembles in the shape of its leaf, but is distinguished by its lack of down on leaves and young wood. Amygdalus tanguticadSab&l . )Korsh. (Amygdalaceae . )39898 . Cuttings of the Tangutian almond from the village of Lan tsai, Kansu, China. "A bush almond found in rocks and cliffs along the right bank of the Siku river, collected at an elevation of 4200 feet. Shrubs from 4-10 feet high, In sheltered places reaching even a height of 20 to 25 feet, densely branched, branches often running zigzag, and ending in spines. Foliage small and of a glaucous green color. Fruits very variable in size, looks and shape; skin downy and thin, stones ranging in size from a cherry stone up to a good-sized apricot stone, of many forms, some round and quite smooth, others pointed or heartshaped and grooved like peach stones, shells moderately thin, kernels small on the average and quite bitter; they are, however, eagerly collected by ground squirrels. Here and there local Chinese also collect them and express a clear oil from the kernels for culinary purposes. These kernels are also sparingly eaten after having been boiled first so as to remove part of the bitter flavor. This Tangutian alm- ond occurs in many places in the province of Kansu, grow- ing at elevations from 4000 to 10000 feet. It is able to withstand a great amount of drought, cold and dry heat. It is recommended as a factor in certain hybridization ex- periments, to create hardy bush almonds. As a stock for almonds it might be tested, but since it throws up so many shoots from the base it may not have any commercial value for this purpose. As a hedge plant for dry regions it al- so possesses value, while as an ornamental spring flower- ing shrub it possibly could be employed in gardens and parks in the cooler parts of the semi-arid United States. Chinese name Yeh hsiao Using, meaning 'wild small apricot,' also Mao tao'r meaning 'hairy peach.'" (Frank N. Meyer's introduction and description.) The Tangutian almond (Amygdalus tangutica , S.P.I. No. 39898). A large bush growing out from the crevice of a large rock. Such a situation indicates the remarkable drought resistant quality of this almond. It is found at eleva- tions of from 4000 to 10000 feet and can stand great drought, cold and dry heat. Photo No. 13095 by Prank N. Meyer, Lan Tsai , Kansu, China, Oct. 29, 1914. . Tangutian Almonds (Amygdalus tanguMca ) , S.P.I. No. 39898. The illustration shows the variation in size and form. The kernels are bitter but edible after boiling. The bushy character of this almond may make the species valuable for hybridization purposes to produce a hardy commercial bush almond. Natural size photograph No. 13093 by Frank N. Meyer, Siku, Kansu, China, Nov. 15, 1914. 855 Betula spp. (Betulaceae . ) 39989-991. Seeds of Japanese birches received from the Arnold Arboretum, from the col- lections of Mr. E. H. Wilson. Betula schmidtii Regel, a stately tree from southeastern Manchuria, B. pendula ja- ponica Miq. , and B. ulmifolia Sieb. & Zucc., a native of Japan, and very rare in cultivation, attaining a height of 50 to 70 feet. Castanopsis sp. (Fagaceae.) 39909. Cuttings from near Pao dji, Kansu, China. "A small tree found in between tall scrub on protected mountain sides at 8000 feet elevation. Bears burrs like those of a chestnut, which contain chin- quapin-like nuts; it bears, however, also catkins like a hazel or an alder when It is leafless. Leaves somewhat like those of a chestnut but of a thinner and less per- sistent structure. Of value possibly as a new nut-bearing tree, fit for regions where the winters are not too se- vere." (Frank N. Meyer's Introduction and description.) Citrus sp. (Rutaceae.) 39897. Cuttings from near Lian dja pa, Kansu, China. "A peculiar species of citrus grow- ing into a large tree, bearing loose-skinned, round, flat- tened fruits the size of mandarin oranges. Color of rind light-yellow; rind full of oil-glands, smelling like a fine lemon; segments separating easily; fairly juicy and of an agreeable sharp sour taste; contains plenty of large seeds. These sour mandarin fruits make a very pleasing lemonade cut up with rind and all in a tumbler of water and some sugar added. They also taste well when cut up in slices in hot tea, while a few pieces of rind added to a soup or stew gives a novel and agreeable flavor. The trees are of thrifty growth, making large heads of dark-green foliage, they are prolific bearers, apparently; young shoots armed with large spines. They are not grafted or budded but propagated from seeds only. This citrus is found at ele- vations from 2000 to 4500 feet, and where they grow one finds the following trees cultivated: Diospyros kaki, Ficus carica, Punica granatum, Juglans regia-, Pyrus sinensis, Morus alba, Hovenia dulcis, Ligustrum lucidinn, Chamaerops excelsa and Phyllostachys sp. Of value possibly as a tree for the home garden in sections north of the citrus belt proper." (Frank N. Meyer's introduction and description.) Corylus ferox tibetica (Bat . )Franch. (Fagaceae . )39907. Cut- tings of a hazel from near Pao dji, Kansu, China. "A ha- zelnut growing into a tree from 80 to 100 feet tall, having a trunk often a few feet in diameter. Bark reddish brown and peeling off in loose layers, like that of a birch. 856 Leaves large, of elliptical shape, petioles long, nuts small and each enclosed in a protuded involucre; they are borne in clusters from 2 and 3 up to 7 and 8. Shell very thick; kernels small, but edible. This hazel-tree bears masses of catkins at the time the leaves come out; it looks very much like a birch or an alder and aside from its having a utilitarian use as a nut bearing .tree , it al- so has a decided value for ornamental purposes, especially when planted in a group or a grove of some extent. Through selection and by hybridization possibly, strains can be obtained bearing larger nuts with thinner shells and pos- sessing commercial value. The climate where these hazels thrive is not a very severe one and the trees probably will not be able to stand extreme temperatures. Collected at an elevation of 7000 feet." (Frank N. Meyer's introduc- tion and description. ) Daphne tangutica Maxim. (Thymelaeaceae . ) 39914. Rooted plants of a daphne from near Siku, Kansu, China. "A very beautiful evergreen bush of low and compact growth; foli- age dark green and leathery; occurring on stony debris in sheltered ravines and in open woodlands at altitudes from 5000 to 10000 feet. Flowers white with a slight violet tinge, faintly scented, appearing in early spring, though some stray ones can be seen in autumn also. Berries bright red and ripe at the end of May and in early June. This shrub is of high decorative nature; it can be employ- ed especially near houses and low walls and may succeed in such sections of the United States where the winters are not too severe, like Long Island, for instance. The plant is apparently easy to propagate from root cuttings, for roots that were seen sticking out amidst pebbles and stony debris and of which the top parts had been chopped off were observed to put forth new sets of branches. In the mountains to the north of Siku, where this Daphne occurs in abundance, one also finds great quantities of Buxus sempervirens and an evergreen species of Pteris, while ivy clings here and there against the rocks; this all often conveying the impression as if man had brought these plants together here and had made a wild garden of it." (Frank N. Meyer's introduction and description.) Deringa canadensis (L. ) Kuntze. (Apiaceae.) 39869. Seeds of honewort from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Presented by the Director, Dr. C. Stuart Gager. This native Amer- ican herb, formerly known as Cryptotaenia canadensis DC., Japan, is described by a recent Japanese visitor to Amer- ica, Mr. T. H. Kuwashima, of Mito, as one of the highest Citrus Fruits of the Mandarin type, S.P.I. No. 39897. These have a light yellow rind with peculiar oil glands, a lemon odor and an agreeable sharp sour taste. May prove of special value because of the unusual hard- iness of the tree. From near Lian dja pa, Kansu, China. Natural size photograph No. 13140 by Frank N. Meyer, Oct. 20, 1914. Citrus sp. from Mountains of Kansu, China. Tree in center is of the Citrus species (S.P.I. No. 39897) exhibited on the previous plate. Found at eleva- tions of 2000-4500 feet in the Province of Kansu, China, by Mr. Frank N. Meyer, who reports it to be a thrifty spe- cies, a prolific bearer and in his opinion adapted to sec- tions north of the Citrus belt. Photo No. 13141, by Frank N. Meyer, Siku, Kansu, Nov. 13, 1914. 857 priced vegetables cultivated in Japan, the young shoots being used as an excellent salad. The little book by Pro- fessor Tanaka, Useful Plants of Japan, issued by the Agri- cultural Society of Japan, says concerning it: "Mitsuba, Mitsuba-jeri, a perennial herb of the order Umbelliferae growing wild in moist valleys, but much cultivated from seeds or by dividing the roots. In spring young leaves come forth to a height of about one foot. They are eaten boiled, and the roots can also be eaten fried. One vari- ety with fine thread-like petioles and shooting bushes to 8-10 inches high is called Ito-mitsuba (thread honewo t . )" Apparently worthy of trial by American amateurs. Diospyros Icaki L.'f. (Ebenaceae.) 39912-913. Cuttings of persimmons from Kansu, China. 39912, "from near Kwa tsa, a remarkably large and beautiful persimmon of very flat shape and bearing some furrows on top. Color bright deep orange; seedless, non- juicy, of excellent keeping quali- ties; can be eaten fresh or dried; not free from pucker. Quite a rare variety. Local name Momo sze tze, meaning 'loaf of bread persimmon,' though many different forms pass under that name;" and 39913, "a persimmon of square shape, bearing generally a constriction close to the pe- duncle, also often furrowed vertically. Of light orange color, seedless; non-juicy; a very good keeper but of as- tringent properties when eaten fresh, therefore consumed when roasted or steamed, by which processes the pucker dis- appears for the greater part; also much eaten dried. Chi- nese name Fang sze tze, meaning 'square persimmon.'" (Frank N. Meyer's introductions and description.) Eiwnymus sp. (Celastraceae . ) 39903. Cuttings from near Ka go ba, Kansu, China. "A spindle wood, growing into a medium-sized tree with a dense, well rounded head of branches. Leaves round elliptical, of opaque green color and somewhat wrinkled. Collected at an elevation of 8000 feet. Of value as an ornamental park tree for the cooler sections of the United States." (Frank N. Meyer's intro- duction and description.) Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia Mueller . (Proteaceae. ) 39871. Seeds from Burringbar P. 0., New South Wales. Presented by Mr. B. Harrison. "Red bush nuts. This tree grows to a height of 30 or 40 feet and the fruit is borne in racemes, attached to the bark and branches of the tree, each carry- ing 10 or 12 fruits. The flavor is not quite so good as the Queensland nut, Macadamia temifolia, nor does it keep so well, but nevertheless they are sold in some fruit shops 858 here at 12 cents per pint. I do not think they have been cultivated anywhere in the United States, but could easily be grown in any of the warm southern states." (Harrison.) Malus sp. (Malaceae.) 39923. Cuttings of a crab-apple from Lien hua shan, Kansu, China. "A peculiar species of crab-apple, bearing its small fruits in bunches. These fruits are of the size of peas, are bright red and possess an agreeable sour flavor; they probably could be well uti- lized for preserves. The trees are of somewhat dwarf growth and seem remarkably hardy. They may be of value as stocks, as ornamental trees for northern regions, and for breeding purposes. Collected at an elevation of 9000 feet." (Prank N. Meyer's introduction and description.) Prunus persica potanini Batalin. ( Amygdalaceae . ) 39899. Cuttings of a wild peach from the village of Tchu tsai tze, Kansu, China. "A wild peach of the davidiana type, but differing from it in various points. Collected at the base of sheltered mountains at an elevation of 4300 feet. A tall shrub or even small tree, up to 30 feet in height, bark of stem or trunk dark reddish-brown and quite smooth in the younger shoots; leaves like those of Amygdalus davidiana but often broader in the middle and always less pointed. Fruits of round-elongated form; skin covered with a heavy down, no edible flesh; stones of elliptical shape, grooves longer than in A. davidiana, shells very hard and thick, kerne], s elongated and relatively small. Found growing at elevations from 4000 to 7000 feet, in side valleys away from the Siku river; thrives especially well in sheltered and warm mountain pockets. Of value especially as a stock for stone-fruits and possibly able to stand even more dry heat than A. davidiana] also recom- mended as an ornamental spring-flowering tree, especially for the drier parts of the United States. Chinese name Mao t'ao, meaning 'hairy peach.'" (Frank N. Meyer's intro- tion and description. ) Prunus spp. (Amygdalaceae.) 39902, 39911, 39918. Cut- tings of three species from Kansu. P. brachypoda Batalin( ?) , a wild cherry, the leaves of which color up beautifully in the autumn, and which may have value as a stock, P. setu- losa Batalin, of possible value as a stock and for breeding purposes, and P. stipulacea Maxim (?), of possible value as an ornamental shrub, as a stock, and for breeding purposes. (Frank N. Meyer's introductions.) Ribesspp. (Grossulariaceae . ) 39910, 39916. Cuttings of a currant and a gooseberry from Kansu, China. 39910, "a Wild Rugged Mountain Country in Kansu Province, China. On the steep rocky slopes of this region at eleva- tions of over 4000 feet Potanin's drought resistant wild peach (Primus jjcrsim potanini , S. P. I. Nos. 39899, 40007, 40008, 40009) occurs in company with Loniceras, Philadelphus spp. , Viburnums, Hippophae salicifolia , etc. Photograph No. 13092, by Frank N. Meyer, near Pao dji, China, Nov. 9, 1914. Potanin's Wild Peach of the Kansu Province of China (Prunus persica potanini) . This is called the "Mao tao" or hairy peach and be- longs to the same general type as Amygdalus davidiana but may withstand even greater heat and prove of value as a stock in the arid west (S.P.I. .Nos. 39899, 40007, 40008, 40009). Natural size photograph No. 13091 by Frank N. Meyer, Lan Tsai , Kansu, China, Nov. 3, 1914. 859 currant of very vigorous growth, collected on a sheltered mountain side at an elevation of over 7000 feet. The shrubs are of open growth and reach a height of 25 feet. Of value possibly for hybridization purposes." 39916, "a wild gooseberry, growing from 6 to 15 feet tall, found in dry loess embankments at elevations from 7000 to over 9000 feet. Remarkably spiny; berries medium large, of elongat- ed shape and persisting throughout the greater part of the winter. These gooseberry fruits are preserved by the American missionaries at Kiu cheng and they supply a very delicious tart compote. Of value apparently as a fruiting shrub and as a hedge plant for the cold semi-arid sections of the United States." (Prank N. Meyer's introductions and descriptions. ) Salix spp. (Salicaceae . ) 39921-922. Cuttings of willows from Lien Hua shan, Kansu, China. 39921, "a remarkable variety of willow, growing into a tall shrub or a bushy small tree and of which the tops for the length of about one foot are of a bright yellow color. When seen from above on a sunny winter day they make a strikingly cheer- ful impression. Of special value for parks when planted in masses or in groups in glens or in low-lying places, so that they can be viewed from above. Collected at an ele- vation of 9000 feet. Proposed name Golden Top Willow. Where these Golden top willows grow one also finds deep blue spruces, snowy white birches, and red-wooded dog- woods. These together with the purplish crags as a back- ground, make a most wonderfully harmonious winter land- scape." 39922, "a variety of the Golden top willow, but with the young twigs of a rich reddish-brown color." (Frank N. Meyer's introductions and descriptions.) Tarnarix aphyllaCL. )Karsten. (Tamaricaceae. ) 39856. Cut- tings of a tamarisk from Cairo, Egypt. Presented by Mr. Thomas W. Brown, Director, Horticultural Division, Minis- try of Agriculture. "This is by far the best of the Egyptian species for cultivation as a timber tree on des- ert land. We have employed it largely as a wind- and sand-break at the Sewage Farm at Khanka, which is situated on what was unreclaimed desert land. The cuttings were planted along shallow water channels, containing in one case chlorine equivalent to sodium chloride to the extent of 1272 parts per million and in another case to the ex- tent of 2028 parts per million. Tamarix aphylla very rare- ly produces seed here." (Brown.) Viburnum furcatum Blume. (Caprif oliaceae . ) 39998. Seeds from Japan, received through the Arnold Arboretum, from 860 the collections of Mr. E. H. Wilson. "This has the showy sterile marginal flowers, but its stems are more uniformly erect (than V. alnifolium.} It differs also in the shorter stamens, which are only half the length of the corolla, and in the shape of the furrow in the seed. It succeeds in gardens no better than F. alnifolium, although there was a healthy plant at Abbotsbury, near Weymouth, a few years ago. It is a native of northern Japan at low levels, and of the mountainous parts of the south. The foliage turns brilliant scarlet to reddish purple in autumn. It is a bush twelve feet or more high in a wild state." (W. J. Bean, Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles, vol. 2, p. 642.) SCIENTIFIC STAFF OF THE OFFICE OF FOREIGN SEED AND PLANT INTRODUCTION OF THE BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. Washington Staff. David Fairchild, Agricultural Explorer In charge. P. H. Dorsett, Plant Introducer In charge of Plant Introduction Field Stations. Peter Bisset, Plant Introducer in charge of Foreign Plant Distribution. Frank N. Meyer and Wilson Popenoe, Agricultural Explorers. H. C. Skeels, Botanical Assistant, in charge of Seed Collections. S. C. Stuntz, Botanical Assistant, in charge of Explorers' Notes, Foreign Correspondence and Publications. R. A. Young, Botanical Assistant, in charge of Dasheen Investi- gations . Allen M. Groves, Nathan Menderson, and G. P. Van Eseltine, As- sistants . Staff of Field Stations. R. L. Beagles, Assistant Farm Superintendent in charge of Chico, Calif., Plant Introduction Field Station. H. Klopfer, Plant Propagator. J. M. Rankin, Assistant Farm Superintendent in charge of Rock- ville Md., (Yarrow) Plant Introduction Field Station. Edward Goucher, Propagator. Edv/ard Simmonds, Gardener and Field Station Superintendent In charge of Miami, Fla. , Plant Introduction Field Station. E. R. Johnston, Assistant in charge of Brooksville, Fla., Plant Introduction Field Station. Collaborators . Mr. Aaron Aaronsohn, Haifa, Palestine. Mr. Thomas W. Brown, Cairo, Egypt. Dr. Gustav Eisen, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, Calif. Mr. E. C. Green, Servlgo do Algodao no Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Mr. A. C. Hartless, Saharanpur, India. Mr. Barbour Lathrop, Chicago, 111. Mr. William S. Lyon, Manila, Philippine Islands. Miss Eliza R. Scidmore, Yokohama, Japan. Mr. Charles Simpson, Little River, Fla. Dr. L. Trabut, Director, Service Botanique, Algiers, Algeria. Mr. E. H. Wilson, Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain, Mass. Issued July 21, 1915. > OIV