NOVEMBER 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 1919. 23 



48551 to 48586— Continued. 



48565. Eleochakis txjberosa (Roxb.) Schult. Cyperacere. Beechi. 

 "(Foochow, China. Septpmber 17, 1919.) Tubers of the beechi, or 



water chestnut, as it is sometimes called, from the market in Foochow, 

 This plant is one of the very common food plants of this region. One 

 sees the peeled and unpeeled tubers in all parts of Foochow. Appar- 

 ently they are eaten by all classes. Venders sell them strung on split 

 bamboo sticks, six tubers peeled and sometimes dipped in a dark-brown 

 candy paste. The fields of this water chestnut were common both on the 

 river level and on high ground. The grasshoppers eat the tops very 

 badly, so that I saw no good seed." 



48566. Ekemochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack. Poaceje. Grass, 

 "(Kuliang Hills, near Foochow, China. August 25, 1919.) Tops of the 



best lawn and grazing grass of this region. All through the clay region 

 and the gravelly sand alluvial this is the dominant plant. All the neg- 

 lected fields and wai?hed hillsides are overgrown with it. It is depended 

 upon in Kuliang and largely in Foochow as a source of cover for lawns. 

 If the lawns are mowed, clipped, or grazed, this is the only grass which 

 persists except Bermuda grass (Copn'ola clartplon). which sometimes 

 maintains itself along the edges of walks and paths. This grass in pure 

 culture does not need to be mowed, as it grows only 3 or 4 inches high. 

 In rich soil it is dark green. It can be eradicated easily, as the limners 

 are on the surface, and it is easily propagated by p-'eces of runners, turf, 

 or seed. It is the best grazing grass in this region, growing with 

 Lespedesa striata and allied forms over the fallow terrace lands. The 

 prime condition of the cattle grazing in the hills here depends upon 

 the prevalence of this grass and lespedeza. This is also an excellent 

 plant to prevent washing; the long runners stretch out in every direction, 

 root at every node, and soon branch and make cover. If it can be grown 

 even as far north as North Carolina, it will solve the lawn difficulties 

 of the Eastern States, where none of our gi-assas are satisfactory the 

 year round." 



48567. Ficus sp. IMoracese. 



"(Kuliang Hills, near Foochow, China. September 3, 1919.) Seed of 

 the common banyan which finds its natural northern limit at Foochow. 

 This tree is the best general-puri^ose shade tree commonly found at 

 Foochow." 



48568. Ginkgo biloba L. Ginkgoacea;. Ginkgo. 

 "(Shanghai, China. October 1, 1919.) Many tons of 'nuts' may be 



seen in the markets of Shanghai in September. Numerous* grades are 

 seen, based apparently on individual trees. Tlie samples collected illus- 

 trate the range of variation." 



48569. Apios fortunei Maxim. Fabacere. 



"(Kuliang Hills, near Foochow, China. September 2, 1919.) This 

 relative of Apios tuherosn and A. priceaun is very important as a possible 

 means of producing hybrids. It differs from both our American species, 

 but may cross with one or both. It has a large fleshy root suggesting 

 A. priceana in type. If, through it, the type of either one of our native 

 plants can be broken up and a range of variation started to use in selec- 

 tion work, a new crop will be assured." 

 '■ For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 44569. 



