JULY 1 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1916. 13 



" Grown in the neighborhood of Chaochowfu. This fruit is placed on the 

 market at tlie beginning of the summer and can be obtained during only a 

 very short period. The Swatow litchi has the reputation of not being as good 

 as tlie Canton variety, which also matures early in the sunnner." (Hanfion.) 



43035 and 43036. Arachis hypogaea L. Fabacew. Peanut. 



From Buitenzorg, Java. Presented by Mr. L. Koch, Plant Breeding Station 

 for Annual Crops. Received July 20, 1916. 



43035. " Pure sti'ain No. 21. Is almost unaffected by a severe malady 

 known here under the name of bactery disease. Cultivated at the 

 Plant Breeding Station for Annual Crops." (Koch.) 



43036. "The variety cultivated here by the natives." (Koch.) 



43037. RuHiA TiNCTORUM L. Eubiacese. Madder. 



From Paris, France. Procured from Vilmorin-Andrieux & Co. Received 

 July 25, 1916. 

 " The root of Rubia tinctonim furnishes dyer's madder. The plant is a 

 native of the south of Europe and is extensively cultivated about Avignon 

 and in the Alsace for the roots, which afford the fine scarlet dye so highly 

 valued by dyers and calico printers. A great quantity is gi'own in the Levant, 

 the north of Africa, and in Holland ; but that from Africa and the East, par- 

 ticularly that from Cyprus, is the most esteemed. Several attempts have been 

 made to cultivate it in this country [England], but without success. Tlie 

 roots are dug up in the third summer after sowing and, having been deprived 

 of their cuticle, are dried by artificial heat and then reduced to a powder. 

 Madder has a bitter, astringent taste and imparts these properties to water 

 and alcohol." (Hogg. Vegetable Kingdom, p. 415.) 



43038. BucHANANiA LATiroLiA Roxb, Anacardiacese. 



From Burma, India. Presented by the superintendent. Royal Botanic 

 Garden, Sibpur, near Calcutta, India. Received July 22, 1916. 



"A medium-sized tree, leafless only for a short time, met with in the dry 

 forests throughout India and Burma, ascending in the sub-Himalayan tract to 

 3,000 feet. A pellucid gum (pea? or /j/ff?) which exudes from wounds in the stem 

 is more than half soluble in water. It is said to resemble Bassora gum, to 

 have adhesive properties like inferior gum arable, and to be suitable for dress- 

 ing textiles. The bark and the fruit furnish natural vai'uish. The kernels 

 yield a sweet and wholesome oil {chiroji), but owing to their being much prized 

 as a sweetmeat when cooked, the oil is seldom expressed. The kernels, whicli 

 have a flavor something between that of the pistachio and the almond, are 

 eaten by the natives. In the hills of central India the fruits with the kernels 

 are pounded and dried and subsequently baked into a sort of bread. From the 

 Panjab and Bombay the leaves are reported as used for fodder. The timl)er 

 is not very hard nor dui'able and is of small value, though made into spoons, 

 plates, toys, and bedsteads, and is even employed for doors and window frames, 

 plow handles, etc." (Watt, Commercial Products of India, p. 188.) 



43039 to 43048.- Prunus bokhariensis Eoyle. Amygdalacejic. 



Plum. 



From Seharunpur. India. Presented by Mr. A. C. Hartless, superintendent, 

 Government Botanic Gardens. Received July 25, 1916. 



^ See footnote, p. 9. 



