16 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



45755. Zea mays L. Poacese. Corn. 



From Caracas, Venezuela. Presented by I\Ir. Preston McGoodwin, American 

 Minister. Received January 8, 1918. 

 A native white corn of the flour t.vpe. This corn is planted widely in 

 Venezuela and is exported in large quantities. 



45756. Chayota edulis Jacq. Ciiciu-bitaceEe. Chayote. 

 (Sechium edule Swartz.) 



. From Zacuapam. Mexico. Fruits presented l)y Dr. C. A. Purpus. Received 

 January 3, 1918. 

 " The chayote is becoming known iu the United States as a useful vegetable 

 belonging to the squash family. In some parts of tropical America it is eaten 

 as commonly as are potatoes in North America and in the same manner : Stewed 

 with meat, creamed, and so on. It has not the food value of the potato, but is 

 more comparable in this respect to the squash. In an effort to extend and 

 improve its culture in this country, varieties are being introduced from as 

 many regions as possible." (Wilson Popenoe.) 



45757 to 45765. Zea mays L. Poacea?. Corn. 



From Peru. Procured by Mr. William F. Montavon, American commercial 

 attache, Lima. Received January 10, 1918. Quoted notes by Mr. E. B. 

 Brown, of the Office of Corn Investigations. 



" Varieties of the flour type introduced for experimental and breeding work." 



45757. No. 20. Piinso, Huarnancaca. "A dark-red variety." 



45758. No. 33. Flor de Granada. Pucara. "A purple variety." 



45759. No. 21. Cafe con Leche, Huayuca. "A coffee-with-milk colored 

 variety." 



45760. No. 6. Rosa Bajo, Sapallanga. "A purple variety." 



45761. No. 2. Crema, Chongos. "A yellow variety." 



45762. No. 32. Granada, Salcabamba. '"A purple variety." 



45763. No. 1P>. Mixto, Huarnancaca. "A variegated variety." 



45764. No. 8. Peclio de Palonia. Cliui)aca. "A ]iurplish and mottled 

 variety." 



45765. No native name. "A purple and yellow variety." 



45766. Elaeis guineensis Jacq. Phoenicacea\ Oil palm. 



From Buitenzorg. Java. Presented by Mi: P. J. S. Cramer, chief, Plant 

 Breeding Station. Received January 23, 1918. 



This palm is very important economically. The finiit is used by the natives 

 for food ; an intoxicating drink is made from the juice of the stem ; the leaf- 

 stalks ^nd leaves are used for thatching the native houses; and the fleshy outer 

 layer and the kernels of the fruit each yield a commercial oil — that from the 

 fleshy part being the ordinary palm oil used in the manufacture of soap and 

 candles and that from the kernels being the white or nut oil used for making 

 margarine or artificial butter. It is a native of tropical West Africa and, 

 both wild and in cultivation, occurs over immense areas. (Adapted from 

 MacmilJan, Handbook of Tropical Gardeninff and Planting, p. 538.) 



Messrs. Dorsett, Shamel, and Popenoe, in Department of Agriculture Bulle- 

 tin No. 445, mention the uses of this tree in Brazil. In regard to the oil from 

 the pulp they say: " Dende oil [as it is there called] is an important food prod- 



