54 SEEDS AXD PLAISTTS IMPORTED. 



48171 to 48189— Continued. 



48187. Uesinia cakilefolia DC. Asteracese. 



"(No. 26. Kirstenbosch, Cape Province. August 25, 1919. ) An unusu- 

 ally attractive plant with fine foliage and a mass of flowers of a very 

 brilliant reddish orange. As a liorder for walk or driveway it will all 

 but rival Mesembryanthemum. This Ursinia is an annual, 10 to 12 feet 

 high ; it ilowers early and continuously and should do well." 



48188. ViEGiLiA CAPENSis (L.) Laui. Fabacese. 



"(No. 30. Kirstenbosch, Cape Province. August 25, 1919.) A hand- 

 some quick-growing tree, attaining a height of 20 feet, with a dark rough 

 bark, finely divided compound leaves, and profuse dense racemes of pink 

 sweet-scented flowers. The wood is used chiefly for ox yokes, etc. This 

 plant should be tried in the South and also in the Southwest, especially in 

 California." 



48189. Watsonia sp. Iridacese. 



"(No. 34. Table Mountain, Cape Town. August 23, 1919.) This plant 

 looks like a Gladiolus. The leaves ai'e sword shaped and the flowers very 

 attractive." 



48190. Pyrus sp. Malacese. Pear. 



From Lawrence, Kans. Cuttings presented by Mr. T. E. Griesa. Received 

 November 26, 1919. 



" A medium-sized pear resembling a small Dartlett in shape and color. Flesh 

 tender, melting, buttery, nearly sweet, rich, and good to very good in quality. 

 According to Mr. Griesa, tlie tree was given to him some six years ago by his 

 brother. It was propagated from a seedling tree originating on the farm of 

 Mr. O. H. Ayer, a few miles south of Mr. Griesa's place. Only a few of the 

 trees were propagated, and the one on Mr. Griesa's place is probably the only 

 one in existence at this time. The tree started bearing when it had been 

 set four years. It ripened several fine fruits that year, and last year (1918) 

 was full of bloom, but the fruit was killed by late fi-ost. This year (1919) 

 the tree is loaded with fruit. It was set in an orchard with Bartlett, Clapp 

 Favorite, and Douglas. The Bartlett and Clapp Favorite have long since died 

 of fire-blight, but the new variety and the Douglas show no signs of blight. 

 According to Mr. Griesa, the tree is as large as apple trees set in the same 

 orchard fourteen years ago. 



" The pear was submitted to Messrs. H. P. Gould and C. P. Close, of the 

 Office of the Horticulturist, United States Department of Agriculture. The 

 description of the fruit given above is in part quoted from a statement from 

 Mr. Close. Mr. Gould reports that externally the pear resembles a Bartlett 

 but internally it looks more like a Kicffer." (B. T. GaUoicag.) 



48191. HoLcus SORGHUM L. Poaceaj. Sorghum. 

 {Sorghum vulgare Pers.) 



From Sydney, New South Wales. Presented by Mr. George Valder, under- 

 secretary and director, Department of Agriculture. Received October 

 14, 1919. 



" Sorghum known as ' Saccalene.' This is not a perennial sorghum, but it 

 can be cut several times during the season, fresh growth being made from the 

 roots. It yields a heavier crop than any other sorghum yet tested by this 

 department and retains its succulence for a longer period after being frosted. 



