12 SEEDS AXD PLANTS IMPORTED. 



54996. Fragaria vesca semperflorens (Duch.) Seringe. Rosacese. 



Strawberry. 



From Edinburgh, Scotland. Seeds presented by Prof. Isaac Bayley Balfour. 

 Royal Botanic Garden. Received April 14, 1922. 



This variety differs from the type in the greater size of all its parts, the 

 fruit in particular, and especially in its habit of producing flowers and fruit 

 continuously throughout the summer. In its red color and delicate flavor the 

 fruit is quite similar to that of the type. (Adapted from Robinson, The Vege- 

 table Garden, p. 673.) 



54997. Pyrus sip. Malaceae. Pear. 



From Chefoo, China. Presented by A. Sugden. Received April 4, 1922. 



Pear seeds from Chefoo, China, which are to be grown for use as stock plants 

 for cultivated varieties of apples and pears. 



54998. Pyrus pashia Buch.-Ham. Malaceae. Pear. 



From Kengtung, Burma. Seeds collected by J. F. Rock, Agricultural 

 Explorer of the United States Department of Agriculture. Received 

 April 4, 1922. 



"(No. 2253. Kengtung, Burma. February 6, 1922.) A large tree about 50 

 feet in height with a trunk about 2 feet in diameter, found in a bamboo grove on 

 the plains of Kengtung two stages from the Chinese border, at an altitude 

 of about 3,C00 feet. The flower."^ of this variety are pure white without the 

 pink center seen in those found on the slopes of Loi Mwe southeast of Kentung, 

 and the tree is an object of great beauty. The natives let the fruits get black 

 on the tree, in which state they are sweet and are made into jam. The fruits 

 of this variety are larger than usual. The native name is Mai Kaw Ki Kai. 

 The sand pears of Yunnan are grafted on this species by the natives, according 

 to a priest of the temple of Wat Ban Sao." {Rock.) 



54999. Trifolium pratense L. Fabaceae. Red clover. 



From Jesi, Department of Marches, Italy. Seeds purchased through Fran- 

 cesco Archibugi, New York, N. Y. Received April 14, 1922. 



Introduced for comparison with American-grown seed. 



55000. Aralia cachemirica Decaisne. Araliacese. 



From Stockholm, Sweden. Seeds presented by Dr. Robert E. Fries, 

 director. Botanic Garden. Received April 15, 1922. 



This Himalayan species of Aralia is introduced for comparison and breeding 

 experiments with the udo (Aralia cordata). It is a lax shrub, 5 to 10 feet in 

 height, with elongated flower panicles a foot in length. 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 52788. 



55001. Girardinia palmata Gaud. Urticaceae. 



From Sibpur, near Calcutta, India. Seeds presented by Lieut. Col. A. T. 

 Gage, director. Royal Botanic Garden. Received April 15, 1922. 



A tall, stout, erect, tufted plant, 4 to 6 feet in height, growing commonly 

 in the temperate and subtropical regions of the Himalayas, where it ascends to 

 5,000 feet above the sea. It is generally known as the " Nilghiri nettle " and 

 is of considerable importance in its native country because of the fiber ob- 

 tained from its stalks. This fiber is very long, white, soft, and silky and is 

 used for making fine fabrics and for mixing with wool. While the plant is 

 described as an annual, it has proved, under cultivation, to be a perennial; 

 the young shoots are cut down twice a year for their fiber. The leaves of 

 this species are used as a vegetable among the hills of the Northwest Prov- 

 inces. (Adapted from Wait, Dictionary of the Economic Products of India, 

 vol. 3, p. 500.) 



