OCTOBER 1 TO DECEaiBER 31, 1920. 87 



52398 to 53304— Continued. 



size under good cultivation. The surface is fairly smooth, the eyes being 

 only slightly deeper than those of Smooth Cayenne. The flesh is pale yel- 

 low, exceedingly juicy, of rich, subacid flavor, and quite tender. While it 

 does not equal Smooth Cayenne in sweetness and delicacy of flavor, it is 

 a much better fruit. Tlie plant is a large and vigorous grower with 

 serrate leaves." 



52299. Carica sp. Papayaceae. 



"(No. 523a. November 22, 1920.) Seeds of red-fruited papayucia. 

 From a garden near Armenia, Depto. de Caldas, at an altitude of about 

 5,000 feet. This is the most interesting form of Carica which I have 

 discovered in Colombia. It is remarkable for the rich crimson color of 

 its fruits. Whether or not this color will be inherited by its seedlings 

 I do not know ; if it is. then we have in this form a papaya of much in- 

 terest for use in breeding. The stem and petioles of the plant are deep 

 purpf The fruits are oblong-elliptic, about 4 inches long, and as they 

 matuv^ they assume a crimson color which is at length deep and rich 

 and very attractive. The flesh is white, like the normal form of the 

 species, rather acid, with an applelike scent. A cross between this 

 t"pecies and Carica papaya might produce a new fruit of most attractive 

 appearance." 



52300. Passiflora malifoemis L. Passifloraceae. Granadilla. 

 "(No. 531a. December 3, 1920.) Seeds of granadilla, from the Call 



market. This is a species which I have not seen elsewhere in Colombia. 

 The fruit is remarkable for its unusually hard shell. Except for this 

 character and its pale-green color, it greatly resembles the fruit of 

 Passiflora edulis. It is a better fi-uit than some of the other species of 

 Passiflora found in Colombia." 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 43330. 



52301. Rheedia madruno (H. B. K.) Planch, and Triana. Clusiacea;. 

 "(No. 528. December 3, 1920.) Seeds of madrono. From the Hacienda 



Manuelita, near Palmira. This is a common tree, both wild and culti- 

 vated, in the Cauca Valley and a favorite fruit. It occurs at altitudes of 

 3,000 or 4,000 feet and probably will not, therefore, be sufficiently frost 

 resistant for cultivation in California. It may succeed in southern 

 Florida, and will, of course, be adapted to tropical regions, such as the 

 West Indies. 



" The tree, which reaches about 35 feet in height, is a handsome one. 

 It is commonly pyramidal, sometimes rather slender, and its abundant 

 foliage is dark green. Tlie leaves ai-e elliptic and about 6 inches long. 

 The fruits are the size of a small lemon, and about the same color. The 

 skin is thick and leathery and very rough; the flesh is whitish, translu- 

 cent, and of an aromatic subacid taste which is verj' agreeable. The 

 two or three rather large seeds are oblong. 



"Compared with the more important tropical fruits, such as the 

 mango, the madrono can not be considered of great value : yet the orna- 

 mental appearance of the tree and the pleasant flavor of the fruit make 

 it well worth growing in tropical gardens." 



52302. RuBUS claucus Benth. Rosacefe. 



"(No. 522a. November 22, 1920.) Seeds collected near the Hacienda 

 Cajamarca, on the Quindio trail between Ibague and Armenia, at an al- 

 titude of about 8,000 feet. [This plant has been described under S. P. I. 

 No. 50691.] It is a common species in Central America and north- 

 western South America, sometimes cultivated for its fruit, which is 

 an excellent berrv. Where not cultivated, the fruit produced by wild 

 plants is very cornmonly gathered and .sold in the markets of towns and 



cities. . , 4. o- 



"These seeds were taken from an unusually productive plant. Since 

 scanty productiveness is the principal defect of this species, viewed from 

 a horticultural standpoint, an effort to obtain strains more productive 

 than the average seems well worth while. In addition to being a pro- 

 ductive plant, this number can he recommended as producing fruits of 

 excellent quality." 



