24 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED 



as tlie plant grows older, usually set at a rather acute angle ; leaves 2 to 4 

 indies long, light green a))ove. grayish beneath, one edge serrate, tiie other 

 smooth ; sheaths deciduous, marked with purplisli spots and blotches. 



"A handsome ornamental form, fairly hardy, and grown generally in public 

 gardens throughout the world. This was one of the earliest introduced fonns 

 in California and is found there in many gardens. It is said tf» be quite 

 drought resistant and with a little protection will survive the winters as far 

 north as Washington, D. (\" (B. T. Galloway.) 



55976. Zea mays L. Poaceae. Corn. 



From Buenos Aires, Argentina. Presented by D. S. Bullock. Agricultural 

 (Commissioner, Bureau of Agricultural Economics. Received November, 

 28, 1922. 



"From Entre Rios, Argentina." { Bullock.) 



Mah (inuir<io (bitter corn). A variety of corn said to have been introduced 

 into Argentina from Hungary in 1902, since which date it has become ([uite 

 jiopular in some parts of northern Argentina l)ecause of its resistance to the 

 attacks of locu.sts. A characteristic of this variety which distinguishes it 

 from other varieties is its tendenc.v (o stool or produce side shoots. Unless 

 planted clo.se, each jilant will procluce under favorable conditions from 4 to 

 10 of these shoots. The leaves are often over 8 feet long and sometimes 4 

 inches wide and the stalks from (! to 10 feet tall. There are two forms noted 

 in Entre Rios, one with grayish white kernels and one with yellow kernels, 

 the latter having longei- ears than the fomier. Because of the numerous inter- 

 gradatif)ns, however, it is very difficult to obtain typical ears of either form. 

 The growing season of maiz amartio is long, sometimes as long as nine 

 months. In Entre Rios it is .sown in November. (Adapted from Report No. 

 K), J). S. Bvllock, A(/hcultural Cominissioiier.) 



55977. Arachis iirroGAEA L. Fabaceae. Peanut. 



From Sydney, New South Wales. Seeds presented by G. W. Valder. under- 

 secretar.y and director. Department of Agriculture. Received Novem- 

 ber 28. 1922. 



" These seeds were originally sent from the United States under the name 

 'Mammoth.' The ('hinese claim that this varietv is too large for their imr- 

 I)o.se." (Valilen) 



Introduced for the use of specialists in tlie Department of Agriculture. 



55978. EuoENiA dombeyi (Spreii*^.) Skeels. Myrtacese. 



(/•;. i)7-nf(iiienfiis Lam.) Grumichama. 



From Hilo. Hawaii. Sc^ds pre.sented by Bro. Matthias Newell. Received 

 October 23, 1922. 



"The grumichama is found both wild and cultivated in southern Brazil, i)ar- 

 ticularly in the States of Parana and Santa Catliarina. Elsewhere, with the 

 exce[)tion of Hawaii, it is scarcely known. 



"The tree, which grows to the same size as the orange, is shapely and at- 

 tractive in ai)pearance, with ovate-elliptic, glossy deep-green leaves 2 to 3 

 inches long. The small white flowers are followed by pendent fruits, round or 

 slightly tlattened, the size of a cherry and deep crimson in color. The persistent 

 green .sepals which crown the apex are a distinguishing characteristic. The 

 skin is thin and delicate, the flesh soft, melting, of a mild subacid flavor sug- 

 gesting that of a Bigarreau cherry. The seeds are round or hemispherical 

 when one or two in numlier ; sometimes there are three or more, in which 

 case the size is reduced and they are angular. 



"The rapidity with which the fruits develop is surprising; within a month 

 from the time of flowering they have reached maturity and are falling to the 

 ground. Father Tavares states that all the trees do not ripen their crops at 

 the same time, some blooming later than others and thus extending the fruiting 

 season from November to February (in Brazil). Three varieties are distin- 

 guished by him, one with dark-red flesh, another with vermilion, and the third 

 with white. All three are said to be etiually good in quality. . The fruit is 

 iisually eaten fresh, but may also be used to make jams and preserves. 



