JANUARY 1 TO MARCH 31, 1921. 19 



52384 to 52386. 



From Siam. Seeds collected by J. F. Rock, Agricultural Explorer of the 

 United States Department of Agriculture. Received January 20, 1921. 



52384. GossYPiuM arcoeeum L. Malvaceae. Tree cotton. 

 "At Wat Lum, Siam, along the Menam River, I found an interesting 



cotton plant 10 to 12 feet high, worthy of cultivation on account of its 

 beautiful red flowers. There were very few seeds, but I am sending 

 some." (Rock.) 

 For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 34184. 



52385. SoLANUM MAMMOSUM L. Solanaccae. 



" From Champorn, Lower Siam. An ornamental plant with peculiar 

 fruits having fingerlike protuberances at the stem end." {Rock.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 48145. 



52386. Thespesia lamps (Cav.) Dalz. and Gibs. 



" An ornamental shrub 5 to 8 feet in height, with large yellow flowers. 

 It is common in the forests of northern Siam." (Rock.) 



A small bush common in the tropical jungles of India, Burma, and 

 Ceylon, from Kumaon eastward, ascending to 3,000 feet in Nepal. The 

 young twigs yield a good fiber. The root and fruit are used medicinally. 

 The tough pliant wood is much used in certain parts of Bombay Province 

 for making drums. (Adapted from Watt, Dictionary of the Economic 

 Plants of India, vol. 6, pt. 4> P- 45.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 26166. 



52387 to 52391. 



From Siam. Seeds collected by J. F. Rock, Agricultural Explorer of the 

 United States Department of Agriculture. Received January 20, 1921. 

 Quoted notes by Mr. Rock, 



52387. Castanea diveesifolia Kurz. Fagacese. 



" (No. 81. From Bangkok, Siam.) Mighty trees with wonderful 

 crowns, straight trunks, and fine wood. The nuts are quite sweet and 

 very tasty when roasted. The trees are prolific bearers, and seeds are 

 plentiful just now." 



52388 and 52389. Citeus geandis (L.) Osbeck. Rutaceje. Pummelo. 

 (C decumana Murr.) 

 52388. "(From Nakon Chaisri, Siam.) Nakon Chaisri pummelo, 

 grown in Nakon Chaisri, and presented by Dr. Yai, Minister of 

 Agriculture, who has a garden up the Menam River 8 miles from 

 Bangkok. There are three distinct seasonal crops, and I was told 

 that the crop borne during the rainy season usually produced 

 seeds, while in the other seasons the fruits are seedless. Dr. W. A. 

 Graham, agricultural adviser, says that the formation of seeds is 

 due to pollination by a fly, which is apparently absent at other 



seasons. 



" Doctor Yai, who is an expert on pummelos, etc., says that when 

 plants of this pummelo are brought to and planted in Bangkok, 

 they change their character entirely and l^ecome quite a different 

 thing ; that the trees, in fact, bear fruits identical with a pummelo 

 long cultivated in Bangkok and known as Ban Kun Non. Doctor 

 Yai thinks that the Nakon Chaitsri pummelo originated from this 



