JANUARY 1 TO MARCH 31, 1909. 65 



25163 to 25165 Continued. 



25165. Xephelium lappaceum L. 

 " Atjeh Lcbak bocloes." 



Distribution. — A large tree, native of the Malay Archipelago, several varie- 

 ties being cultivated. 

 "The ramboetan, ox Atjeh, as the Dutch in Java call Nephelium lappaceum, is one 

 of the showiest and one of the most delicately flavored of tropical fruits, superior to the 

 Poelasan (N. mutabile). Although the mangosteen ranks first, in my mind, among all 

 the tropical fruits of the world, there are many Dutch residents on the island of Java, 

 where both of these fruits occur, who prefer the ramboetan to the mangosteen. I 

 think even such a connoisseur as Doctor Treub would hesitate to decide which of 

 these two fruits is the finest. The ripe fruits as sold on the markets in Java are about . 

 the size of a Japanese plum, but furnished with numerous weak protuberances. In 

 color they are a handsome wine-red. The outer sin 11. or coating, is thick and leath- 

 ery, but can be easily broken by a sharp twist of the hands. The flesh inside is much 

 like that of the leitchee, to which it is a near relative, except that in general there is 

 more of it and it is more delicately flavored, and it is my impression that as a rule it 

 is juicier. So far as my limited experience goes with different varieties of leitchee, 

 this ramboetan surpasses them all in excellence. I do not think the trees are culti- 

 vated in orchards, for very few orchards of any kind exist in Java. The trees are scat- 

 tered through the kampongs, or Utile villages, -all over the island. So far as I know, 

 the ramboetan is not a grafted fruit, but grown only from seed. Owing to its thick 

 rind, the fruit of the ramboetan should be a good shipper, and if the plants can be 

 grown on the Panama Canal Zone, in Porto Rico, or southern Florida they should 

 make a decided sensation when they are first offered for sale on our markets.*' {Fair- 

 child, i 



25166. Cucumis melo L. Muskmelon. 



From Peleka, Corfu Island. Presented by Mr. Carlo Spronger, Voinero. near 

 Naples, Italy. Received March 30, 1909. 



"Seed of a splendid winter melon. Flesh white or greenish white; shell golden 

 yellow. Very fine and never seen before." {Spn nger.) 



25167 and 25168. 



From Erfurt, Germany. Received from Mr. X. L. Chrestensen, Thuringer 

 Central-Saatstelle, Erfurt, Germany, through Mr. Charles J. Brand, March 15, 

 1909. 



Seeds of the following: 



25167. Medicago sativa L. Alfalfa. 



Deutsche blaue. -'(P. L. H. No. 3417.) This strain of alfalfa is said to be 

 very resistant to severe, snowless winters, and to endure a long series of years. 

 It is produced on exposed, situations in Thuringia." (Brand. \ 



25168. Medicago sativa v aria (Mart.) Urb. Sand lucern. 

 Bbhmische. (P. L. H. No. 3418.) 



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