JUNE 1 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1920. 45 



51037 to 51033— Continued. 



fruits from some of the wild trees are liarvested by the natives 

 and carried into the villages, where they are sold. 



" This species will be studied further to determine its relationship 

 with the cultivated avocados. It is introduced witli this object 

 in view and in the hope that it may prove to be a vigorous stock 

 plant on which to graft some of the cultivated avocados." 



For further description, see S. P. I. No. 50585. 



For illustrations of the tree and of a fruit of the wild avocado, 

 .see Plates V and VI. 



51032. Peksea caekulea (Ruiz and Par.) Mez. Lauracese. 



"(No. 399a. June 18, 1920.) From the mountains near Frailes, Costa 

 Rica. Altitude, about 5,500 feet. Seeds of a common tree in this 

 region, found usually in half-open places of the mountainsides and not 

 in the dense forest. It reaches about 30 feet in height, and has a leaf 

 strongly resembling that of Persea amerioana but more narrow than in 

 many varieties of the latter. The fruits, which are produced abun- 

 dantly in racemes, are black, the size of large peas, with very little 

 pulp surrounding the seed. Introduced for trial as a stock plant for the 

 avocado." 



51033. RuBUS cosTAKicANUS Liebm. Rosacefe. Blackberry. 

 "(No. 401a. June 18, 1920.) Seeds of a wild blackberry, mora, from 



Frailes, Costa Rica. Altitude, about 5,500 feet. The plant is a vigorous, 

 bushy grower, and the fruits, which are produced in reasonable pro- 

 fusion, are composed of few large drupelets, making them somewhat 

 different in appearance from the common blackberries of the North. 

 They are of good flavor, but not very large — rarely more than three- 

 quarters of an inch long but nearly as broad as long. Of interest to 

 those engaged in blackberry breeding." 



51034 to 51036. 



From Buitenzorg. Java. Seeds presented by the director, Plant-Breeding 

 Station. Received July 7, 1920. 



51034 and 51035. Cucurbita pepo L. Gucurbitaceae. Gourd. 



The following varieties were received without description. 



51034. Laboe deppe. 



51035. Laloe Batik haicaek. 



51036. Pr.ACTTS balsamifeb (L.) Bail. Asteracese. 

 (Blumea balsamifera DC.) 

 A rather bushy wooUy plant with a tall branched stem and leathery 

 leaves 4 to 8 inches long. The flowers, borne in numerous small heads, 

 have red pappus. The whole plant smells strongly of camphor which 

 may, indeed, be prepared from it, and a warm infusion of the leaves acts 

 as a pleasant sudorific. (Adapted from Watt, Dictionary of the Eco- 

 nomic Products of India, vol. 1, p. ^58.) • 



51036, Placus balsamifier (L.) Bail. Asteracese. 

 From Kashmir, India. Seeds presented by Charles Hadow, British Em- 

 bassy, Washington, D. C. Received July 7, 1920. 



2210—23 4 



