APBIL. 1 TO MAY 31, 1920. 88 



50694 and 60596 — Continued. 



branch stalks, each of which bears 5 to 20 nuts. When the nuts are ripe the 

 stalk falls to the ground, the harvest continuing throughout the year. The eeti.- 

 mated average jdeld of nuts per tree each year is 1,000 pounds, one-half the 

 weight being lost in drying. The kernel represents one-third the weight of the 

 dried nut and contains 60 per cent of palm oil, each tree averaging 100 pounds 

 of oil. 



"Jklachinery has been installed for crushing the nuts and extracting the oil, 

 which finds a mai'ket in the United States. " {Frederick W. Goding.). 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 41254. 

 50696. "Babassu nuts from Brazil. (No. 2.)" 

 See preceding number for description. 



50596. Andropogon sp. Poacese. Grass. 



From Kisantu, Belgian Kongo. Seeds presented by Father H. Vanderyst. 

 Received July 29, 1920. 

 Numbered for convenience in 'testing by the Office of Forage-Crop Investigations. 



50597 to 50607. 



Fi'om Guayaquil, Ecuador. Seeds presented by James Birch Rorer, Asociaci6n 

 de Agricultores del Ecuador. Received June 14, 1920. Quoted notes by Mr. 

 Rorer except where otherwise noted. 

 50597. Annona squamosa L. Annonaceae. Sugar-apple. 



"Seeds from two very good fruits, from Chobo, Las Guayaa, Ecuador. " 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 47875. 

 60598. Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Swartz. Csesalpiniacese. ^'' 



"Pride of Barbados, fi'om Chobo, Las Guayas, Ecuador." 



This Caesalpinia is widely distributed throughout the Tropics because of the 

 beauty of its blossoms. Where favorably situated, with plenty of light and 

 sunshine and ample space for development, it attains the dimensions of a large 

 shrub or small tree. Its dark -green pinnate leaves are decidedly ornamental, 

 and the flowers, 2 inches in diameter, in magnificent open clusters at the points 

 of the shoots, are scarlet, edged with gold, a striking combination, the effect of 

 which is heightened by the crisping or frilling of the margins of the petals. 

 The long red stamens also form another notable feature. (Adapted from the 

 Journal of Horticulture and Home Farmer, third series, vol. 66, p. 204.) 



50599. Canna sp. Cannacese. Canna. 

 "Plantanillo, a wild canna with yellow flowers, from Chobo, Las Guayas, 



Ecuador." 



50600. Canna sp. Cannaceae. Canna. 

 "Plantanillo, a wild canna with red flowers, from Chobo. " 



50601. Cassia occidentalis L. Caesalpiniaceae. 



"Small legume possibly good for cover crop, fi'om Pascuales, Las Guayas, 

 Ecuador. " 



A low shrub with a leaf like the mimosa. The Stinkard's root, as it is some- 

 times called, is a powerful drastic; homeopaths infuse it in spirits of wine and 

 employ it as quinine; the beans are sometimes made into coffee, as maize is in 

 the United States. (Adapted from Burton, The Highlands of Brazil, vol. 2, 

 p. 60.) 



For pre^'ious introduction, see S. P. I. No. 42830. 



