JANUARY 1 TO MARCH 31, 1918. 9 



" There are included both yellow and piuk-fleshed varieties of many sizes and 



shapes." (Groth.) 



45713 to 45716. Prunus spp. Amygdalacese. 



From Paris, France. Purchased from Vilmorin-Audrieux & Co. Received 

 January 2, 1918. 



Introduced for experimental use by the Office of Horticultural and Pomo- 

 logical Investigations. 



45713. Prunus avium L. Mazzard cherry. 



A common species often used as a stock and also, certain forms at 

 least, as an ornamental. 



45714. Prunus armeniaca L. Apricot. 



45715. Prunus cerasifera myrobalana (L.) C. Schneid. 



Myrobalan plum. 

 The Myrobalan plum (a popular stock for domestica plums) is now 

 regarded as a culture form of Prunus cerasifera, though it is often 

 held as a distinct species under the name of P. myrobalana. 



45716. Prunus domestica L. Plum. 



A variety called " Julian " by Vilmorin-Andrieux & Co. It seems not 

 to be the variety Juliana as understood in this country, however. 



45717. Oryza barthii Clieval. Poaceae. Rice. 



From Algiers, Algeria. Presented by Dr. L. Trabut. Received January 

 3, 1918. 



An interesting African species, used for both human food and forage. In 

 habit it differs markedly from the cultivated rices, throwing out rootstocks to 

 a length of several decimeters, with scattering stems rising from them. TTie 

 foliage remains green for two or three months and converts many swampy 

 lands into excellent pastures. The stems rise to a height of 1 to 1* meters- 

 even higher in deep water. The panicle is short; and the ripe grain, which 

 is small, falls out of the husk very easily. For this reason it is impossible 

 to cut the heads for thrashing without losing most of the grain. To obviate 

 this difficulty, the aborigines, in those regions where the plant is common, 

 paddle among the ripe grain in their canoes, shaking the panicles over a 

 small CEflabash, or basket, held in one hand. Most of the grain falls into the 

 basket and is saved. If it is late in the season, the ripe grain will float on 

 the surface of the water and that which falls outside of the basket may be 

 recovered. 



This species is not cultivated ; in fact, the grain has very limited use, owing 

 to the difficulty in harvesting it. It is sold at a very high price, however, 

 and is considered a product of unusually choice quality. 



The grain is not so important, from an economic standpoint, as the forage 

 which the plant furnishes. It is considered one of the very best forages of 

 West Africa. (Adapted from Chevalier, Bulletin du Musdmn National d'His- 

 toire Naturelle, 1910, No. 7, p. 406.) 



45718 to 45720. 



From Hongkong, China. Presented by Mr. W. J. Tutcher, Botanical and 

 Forestry Department. Received January 3, 1918. 



