APRIL 1 TO JUNE 30, 1917. 59 



about 4 inches in diameter. These pods make very good food for cattle and 

 hogs throughout tropical America where this tree is native. The wood is said 

 to be durable and easily worked, and the bark is used for tanning and also 

 as a soap by the Mexicans. The tree would probably make an excellent shade 

 tree for the southern and southwestern United States. (Adapted from Grise- 

 hach, Flora of the British West Indian Islands, p. 226, and from Contributions, 

 U. S. National Herbarium, vol. 5, p. 228.) 



44747. Brassica sp. Brassicacese. 



From Ningpo, China. Presented by Prof. Victor Hanson, Shanghai Baptist 

 College, Shanghai. Received May 14, 1917. 



Chinese name yu ts'ai (oil vegetable). Sent in reply to our request for the 

 yiu ts'ai, said to be the best variety of Chinese cabbage grown at Shanghai. 

 Probably either Brassica chinensis or B. pekinensis. 



44748. ZiziPHus mucronata Willd. Rhamnacese. 



From Khartum, Sudan, Africa. Presented by the principal. Central Re- 

 search Farm, Education Department, Sudan Government. Received 

 May 14, 1917. 

 A tree 15 to 30 feet tall, with alternate, ci-enate, or serrate leaves up to 3 

 inches long, spinelike stipules, and small, greenish flowers in axillary cymes up 

 to an inch in length. The numerous globose dark-red fruits, about half an inch 

 in diameter, are edible and are believed to be the lotus mentioned by Mungo 

 Park as being used for making into bread which tastes like gingerbread. A 

 paste made of the leaves and a decoction of the root are used medicinally ; the 

 wood is tough and is used for yoke keys, and the seeds are used for making 

 rosaries. It is native to tropical and southern Africa. Arabic name Siddir or 

 nabbak. (Adapted from T. R. Sim, Forests and Forest Flora of Cape Colony, 

 p. 177, and from Kew Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, Additional Series 

 IX, pt. 1, p. 162, 1908.) 



44749 and 44750. Saccharum officinarum L. Poacese. 



Sugar cane. 



From St. Croix, Virgin Islands, West Indies. Cuttings presented by Dr. 

 Longfield Smith, director of the experiment station. Received May 15, 

 1917. 

 Introduced for the sugar experiment station. New Orleans, La. 



44749. Santa Cruz 12/4. " I think this would be suitable for Louisiana 

 on account of its rapid growth, early maturing, and richness in sac- 

 charose." (Smith.) 



44750. Santa Cruz 12/11. Received without notes. 



44751 to 44765. 



From Venezuela. Presented by Mr. H. M. Curran. Received May 12, 1917. 



44751. Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench. Malvaceae. Okra. 

 (Hibiscus esculentus L.) 



"(From Cumarebe, April, 1917.)" (Curran.) 



44752. Acacia sp. Mimosacese. 



"(From Paraguana, April, 1917.) Small tree or low thorny shrub." 

 ( Curran. ) 



