

IiNVExNTORY OF SEEDS AW PLANTS IMPORTED BY THE 

 OFFICE OF FOREIGxN SEED AISD PLAxNT L\TRODU(TTO.N 

 DlIRIiNG THE PERIOD FROM JULY 1 TO SEPTEMBER 80, 

 1917 (.NO. 52; NOS. 44935 TO 45220). 



INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT. 



This small inventory covers a period of the World War during- 

 which every energy which could be utilized was directed to the most 

 active war work and the shipping of seeds and plants was nearest at 

 a standstill. 



A few of the introductions, however, merit mention in this intro- 

 ductory statement. 



The success of such introduced forage grasses as Rhodes grass and 

 Sudan grass in the South and Southwest makes the introduction of 

 four forage grasses from Xew South Wales (Nos. 45037 to 45040) 

 and a promising collection from the Belgian Kongo (Nos. 45204 to 

 45214) of particular interest to those who are pioneering in the live- 

 stock industry in these warm regions. 



Mr. Wilson Popenoe sent in from Guatemala seeds of an undescribed 

 species of Persea (No. 44996), which, although having leaves very 

 much like those of the avocado, has fruits with a fleshy, persistent 

 calyx. The hybridizing which is going on between different races of 

 Persea americana may make this species of value for hybridization 

 purposes. Mr. Popenoe's large-fruited form of the coyo (No. 45081), 

 which weighed 2 pounds and was of good quality, deserves to be called 

 to the attention of tropical horticulturists and a comparison made on 

 a considerable scale between it and the West Indian forms of avocado. 



Just hoAY different specifically the Carica dodecaplujJla (No. 

 45141) of Argentina is from the ordinary C. fafaya remains to 

 be seen when they are grown side by side in Florida, but as already 

 crosses between C ccmdamarcensis and C. yafaya are being at- 

 tempted it is important to bring into the hands of the plant breed- 

 ers all the species and varieties obtainable. 



Those interested in tropical species of Eubus may find in Ruhus 

 racemosus (No. 45044) from the Nilgiri Hills of India a useful 

 form. The delicious rambutan of Java {Nephrlium lapfaceum) 

 and the litchi of South China appear to have a rival in N. 'bamaeense 

 (No. 45131) from Cochin China, a species whose fruits have longer 

 spines even than the beautiful rambutan. 



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