12 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



27484. Diospyros tupru Hamilton. 



From Lai Bagh, Bangalore, Mysore, India. Presented by Mr. G. H. Krumbie- 

 gel, economic botanist, superintendent of the Government Botanic Gardens. 

 Received April 18, 1910. 



Distribution. — From the western Himalayas to the plains of Behar in the north- 

 western part of India. 



27485. Rheedia edulis (Seem.) Planch, and Triana. Sastra. 



From the Province of Chiriqui, Panama. Procured by the provincial engineer, 

 through Hon. Joseph E. Le Fevre, Secretary of Fomento, Panama City, at the 

 request of Mr. H. F. Schultz. Received April 18, 1910. 



"A shrublike tree producing an edible fruit, about 1 to 1£ inches in diameter, which 

 the natives describe as a round berry. It has reddish, smooth skin and a pleasantly 

 acid taste. It is not cultivated, but seems to be well known to the natives. I am 

 informed that the fruit is produced in the dry season, January and February. The 

 tree sends out a long tap root, and this fact discredits the statement made to me by 

 natives that the tree is often found on dry places. 'Dry' places in this country are 

 dry, there is no mistake about this, and if on wet locations, like those on which I 

 found the only three trees I saw, it sends its long tap root down to where the ground is 

 water-soaked every day in the year, it becomes very apparent that this long root is 

 not given the tree in order to hold its own against 'northers' in exposed positions, but 

 merely to go down to a perpetual supply of fresh water." (Schultz.) 



Distribution. — In dense forests in the vicinity of Remedios, Province of Veragua, 

 Panama. (Seeds.) 



27486. Carica papaya L. Papaya. 



From New Orleans, La. Presented by Mr. Sam Marshall, superintendent, 

 Audubon Park. Received April 14, 1910. 



" These fruits can be pulled as soon as they show a few yellow spots, and are house 

 ripened. They are very much like a muskmelon, being eaten with salt and pepper. 

 This seed was produced by seedling plants that are 2 years old. They are rapid 

 growers, but will not stand any degree of frost. The fruit grows in clusters and is 

 round to oblong in shape. I think they would stand transportation. Have been told 

 they are often to be had in our 'French market '." ( Marshall.) 



27487 to 27489. Solanum sp. Potato. 



From Reading, England. Presented by Messrs. Sutton & Sons. Received 

 April 1, 1910. 



Tubers of seed potatoes as follows: 



27487. The Congo. 27489. Large red fir apple. 



27488. Small white fir apple. 



27490. Bambos arundinacea Retz. Bamboo. 



From Cochin, British India. Presented by Mr. Jean Houzeau de Lehaie, St. 

 Symphorien, Belgium. Received April 2, 1910. 



"This species is easily propagated by cuttings by the method described by Riviere. 



"Regarding the climatic conditions which it demands, I may say that it has only 

 been sent to Algeria and to Sukhum-Kale, in the Caucasus. It seems to develop 

 best at Sukhum-Kale, though it is colder there than at Algiers. Why, I have no 

 idea. If I am not mistaken, the lowest temperatures met with at Sukhum-Kale are 

 between —3° and —5° C; temperatures taken with the thermometer sheltered. 

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