JANUARY 1 TO MARCH 31, 1921. 51 



52607 to 52617— Continued. 



corrugated on the surface, and a kernel of mild, pleasant flavor. Re- 

 cently the si)ecies has been utilized in Ambato as a stock plant on which 

 to graft J. regia. 



" In Ibarra the tocte is very abundant, and the nuts are commonly sold 

 in the market. They are used to prepare a famous sweetmeat, the nogada 

 of Ibarra, made from brown or white sugar, milk, and walnut moats. At 

 Otavalo the tree is quite abundant, as also in the southern part of 

 Ecuador at Loja and Cuenca. The two species which go under this name 

 are very similar in character." 



For an illustration of the tocte, see Plate II. 



52612. Medicago sativa L. FabaceK. Alfalfa. 

 "(No. 563a. Ambato, Ecuador. .January 21, 1921.) Seed purchased 



in the market of Ambato, near which town it was produced, at an alti- 

 tude of 8,600 feet. This is the common alfalfa of the Ecuadorian high- 

 lands, forwarded for trial in comparison with North American varieties. 

 It is cultivated in a region of little rainfall and on a very light, loose 

 sandy soil." 



52613. Tacsonia tripaetita Juss. Passifloracese. 



"(No. 561a. Ambato, Ecuador. January 24, 1921.) Tacso. This 

 species is quite distinct in habit from Tacsonia mollissima ; the plant is 

 a slender climber, reaching to 15 or 20 feet. The leaves are deeply 3- 

 lobed, with the lobes narrow ; the flowers are light pink, 3 inches broad. 

 The fruits are oblong, tapering slightly toward the stem, about 3 inches 

 in length, and orange-yellow. In flavor they are quite similar to those of 

 T. mollissima. For trial in California and Florida." 



52614. Pbunus seeotina Ehrh. Amygdalacese. Capulln. 

 "(No. 564a. Ambato, Ecuador. January 24, 1921.) Capuli. Seeds 



of the large-fruited variety of which scions have been sent." 

 For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 52579. 



52615. Pkunus cerasifera myeobalana (L.) C. Schneid. Amygdala- 



cese. Plum. 



"(No. 565a. Ambato, Ecuador. January 22, 1921.) Mirabel. Seeds 



obtained from fruits purchased in the market of Ambato. For trial as 

 a stock plant." 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 52580. 



52616. Zea mays L. Poacere. Corn. 

 "(No. 560a. Ambato, Ecuador. January 12, 1921.) Maiz negro 



(black corn). A peculiar variety of com, obtained in the market of 

 Ambato. The ears are 3 to 6 inches long, tapering toward the apex, and 

 the kernels large, starchy, and purplish black." 



52617. Astragalus sp. Fabacese. 



"(No. 56Sa. Ambato, Ecuador. January 22, 1921.) An attractive 

 shrub common on dry liill.sides about Ambato (8,500 fcot), whence this 

 seect. It sometimes reaches to 6 feet in height; its compound pinnate 

 leaves are 3 to 5 inches long, and its lilac-puri)le poa-shaped flowers, 

 borne in small clusters, are about half an inch broad. The plant will 

 probably succeed in California and Florida, where it should be tested 

 iis an ornamental." 



