APRIL 1 TO JUNE 30, 1922. 41 



55417. Prunus majestica Kochne. Ainygdtilaceiv. Cherry. 



From Yunnan, China. Seeds collected by J. F. Rock, Agricultural Explorer 

 of the United States Department of Agriculture. Received May 16, 1922. 



"(No. 2S84. Between Puerhfu and Mohei, Yunnan. Marcli 18. Ilt22.) A 

 tree 25 to 30 feet in lieiglit witli asceiuiiii^' lir;iuclu's, growing un exposed dry 

 ridges 0,000 feet or more in altitude. Tlie cherries, which ar«' borne in March, 

 are oblong to ovoid, bright red, with .^^canty but juicy bitter llesh. The tree 

 grows in company with Pi/ru/t iiuiimnieiisifi, r. ]ias]ii<t, Larij- sp., and several 

 other species of I'runus and Mains which are now in flower." ( I'arl:.) 



55418. Phaseolus semierectus L. Fabacese. 



From Gatun, Canal Zone. Seeds presented by .T. A. Close. Received Mav 

 18, 1922. 



"The long narrow pods are of a leguminous plant which I am trying out 

 as a cover crop. I first noticed the dark-purple flowers, about the size and 

 shape of sweet peas, along the railroad track at Gatun. but the plant did 

 not grow well in the gravel. When planted in heavy clay mixed with cliarcoal. 

 however, it developed wonderfully, and the vines formed a dense mat wliich 

 allowed no other vegetation to grow under or througli it. Tlie plants grew 

 about 3 feet high, and in the last month of the dry season the ground was 

 covered with the decaying leaves. New plants have appeared a hundred feet 

 from the old planting." (CZo.se.) 



55419 to 55423. Acacia spp. Mimosacea\ 



From Khartum, Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. Seeds presented by E. E. Massey, 

 Government botanist, Sudan Government Department of Agriculture, 

 through Maj. R. G. Archibald, Wellcome Tropical Research Laboratories. 

 Received May 15, 1922. 



Introduced for experimental planting in the southwestern United States In 

 connection with gum-arabic production. 



55419. Acacia albida Delilc. 



A low, much-branched tree with whitisli bark, axillary spikes of 

 white flowers, and flat, oblong pods. It is a native of tropical Africa 

 and yields a gum similar to gum arable. The leaves are eaten by goats, 

 aud the bark is used in curing leather. (Adapted from Oliver. Flora 

 of Tropical Africa, vol 2, p. S39, 1871, and Keir Bulletin of Miacellaneoua 

 Information, Additional Series IX, pt. 2, p. 2sS.} 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 44922. 



55420. Acacia catechu (L. f.) Willd. 



A moderate-sized tree with dark-brown, much-cracked bark, very finely 

 pinnate leaves, spikes of white or pale-yellow flowers, and narrow dark- 

 brown pods. It is found in most parts of India and Rurma, .sometimes 

 becoming over 70 feet tall with a circumference of S or !» feet. It yields 

 a pale-yellow gum, with tears often an inch in diameter, wldch is a 

 strong mucilage and a better substitute for gum arable than the gum of 

 Acacia arahica. This species is also the source of cutch. the resinous 

 extract obtained bv boiling down a decoction obtained from diips of 

 the heartwood; from this extract a dull-red dye may be obtaiiie.l. 



The sapwood is vellowish white, and the heartwood, which is ex- 

 tremely hard, is either light or dark red. The wood is very durable. 

 takes a fine polish, and is not attacked by white ants or sldpworms. 

 (Adapted from Watt, Dictionary of the Economic Products of India, vol. 

 1, p. 27.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 50711. 



55421. Acacia nxjbica Benth. 



An umbrella-shaped shrub 4 to 5 feet high, witii dark greenish b:.rk. 

 small leaflets, and rather large heads of fragrant yelhAvish flowers. It 

 is native to Abyssinia and the western coast of Arabia. (Adapted from 

 lAnnaea, vol. 35, p. 337.) 



