,4 SPEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



48023) called the Abyssinian Rumex. Its very vigorous growth and 

 production of great masses of leaves of most delicate texture make it 

 a very promising new vegetable for all-summer culture. 



From Dr. Proschowsky, of Nice, France, who has sent in so many 

 interesting plants, we have received seeds of Casuarina deplancheana 

 (No. 48026), which is native to New Caledonia and deserves trial in 

 Florida. It is new to this country. He also sends a new and very 

 rare climber {Seniele androgyna^ No. 48032) and a remarkable species 

 of Albizzia {A. lophantha. No. 48034) from southwestern Australia, 

 which produces on its roots bacterial nodules weighing as much as 

 2 pounds. 



Through the generosity of M. Jules Goffart, of Tangier, whose 

 collection of acacias is noted, we have received 39 species of acacias 

 (Nos. 48035 to 48073). The beauty of the flowers and the usefulness 

 of the trees for street and sand-dune plantings and as furnishing 

 valuable Avoods, tannins, gums, and other material make this a very 

 valuable gift. 



Through Dr. Koningsberger, of the Buitenzorg Garden, there has 

 come in a quantity of seed of a variety of the well-known Job's-tears, 

 called djali bras (No. 48081), w^hich can be grown anywhere in the 

 Tropics and which, unlike the ordinary Job's-tears, has seeds with 

 thin soft shells. These when cooked whole, like rice, or ground into 

 meal are said to make an excellent food. A new tropical grain crop 

 like this deserves study. 



Dr. Galloway calls attention to a promising new rose {Rosa 

 coriifolia^ No. 48086) which has been used by Dr. Van Fleet as a stock 

 because of its vigor, hardiness, upright smooth stems, and lack of 

 suckers. 



Metrosideros tomentosa (No. 48151) from New Zealand, according 

 to Mr. Hallet, i^ covered with crimson flowers in summer. Its 

 spreading nature and its ability to withstand salt spray and to stand 

 as much frost as the lemon may make it an excellent windbreak for 

 the Florida seacoasts. 



A wild persimmon (No. 48162) from Puerto Bertoni, Paraguay, 

 which may be useful for stocks or for breeding purposes, is sent in 

 by Mr. Bertoni. 



Entelea arborescens (No. 48165), which grows along the north 

 coast of New Zealand, produces very light wood, about half the 

 weight of cork. Mr. Wright, who sends in seeds, says it is one of 

 the handsomest of small trees. The large drooping clusters of pure- 

 white flowers, which are an inch in diameter, ought to attract the 

 attention of some one who lives where it can be grown. Has its 

 wood ever been compared with balsa wood ? 



