JULY 1 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1917. 23 



red flowers are pendent all along the stems of the previous year's growth. A 

 hillside covered with these plants is a glorious sight. For some reason very 

 few of the bushes set fruit." {Barnhart.) 



45025. Ulmus pumila L. Ulmacesc. Elm. 



From Peking, China. Collected by Mr. Frank N. Meyer. Agricultural Ex- 

 plorer of the Bureau of Plant Industry. Received July 24, 1917. 

 A rather low Ch'nese tree, from 10 to 16 meters (.S.t to HO feet) in height, 

 with a short trunk up to 2.6 meters (8* feet) in circumference. Tlie bark is 

 rough and deeply corrugated, and the spreading branches form a bushy crown. 

 It is grown all over northern China and Manchuria as an avenue, shade, and 

 timber tree. The strong Chinese carts are constructed chiefly from its wood. 

 It resists drought, extremes of temperature, and neglect remarkably well and 

 thrives in the semiarid regions of the Great PUiins as well as in the Southwest, 

 (Adapted from notes of Frank N. Meyer, and from Sargent, Planiae Wilsonia- 

 nae, vol. 3, p. 2.'i.'i.) 



45026 and 45027. Basella rubra L. Basellaceae. 



From l*aris, France. Purchased from Yilmorin-Andrieux & Co. Received 

 July 26, 1917. 



45026. An East Indian annual or b:enn;al cultivated in the Tropics as a 

 potherb, like spinach. It is branched, grows to about 6 feet high, and 

 has fleshy, green leaves and small greenish or reddsh flowers. The 

 leaves are produced ver.v freely during the sunnner, when they are 

 eaten as greens. The seeds are sown early in Marcli or April in a 

 warm place and in May or June are transplanted to the foot of a wall 

 with a southern exposure. The plants should be supported by a trellis. 

 The seeds are said to retain their viability for about five years. 

 (Adapted from Vilmorin-And rku,r & Co., Plautes Potageres, p. 32.) 



45027. Variety cordifolia. This is the largest variety of this species and 

 the most cultivated, being used to cover trellises and dwellings. It is 

 the most succulent variety also and is more used as a potherb than the 

 others. (Adapted from Hooker, Flora of British India, vol. 5. p. 21.) 



45028. Securidaca lamarckii Griseb. Polygalaceae. 



Easter blossom. 



From St. Vincent, British West Indies. Presented by rhe agricultural 



superintendent. Botanic Gardens, at the request of Mr. A. G. Howell, 



Imperial Department of Agriculture. Received July 27. 1917. 



A climbing woody vine with oval leaves up to 2 inches in length and scatteretl, 



lax, simple racemes of rosy scentless flowers, each about half an inch long. The 



fruit is a samara, somewhat similar to the samara of the maple tree. This vine 



is a native of Jamaica and St. Vincent and probably other islands of the British 



West Indies. (Adapted from Griselach, Flora of the British West Indian 



Islands, p. 30.) 



45029 to 45031. Saccharum OFriciNARUM L. Poaceiip. 



Sugar cane. 



From St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Cuttings presented by Dr. Longfield Smith, 

 Agricultural Experiment Station, Christiansted. Received July 31, 1917. 

 Introduced for the Sugar Experiment Station, New Orleans, La. 



45029. Santa Cruz l.i/7. 45031. Santa Cniz 13/13. 



45030. Santa Cruz 14/^7. 



