JANUARY 1 TO MARCH 31, 1914. 67 



37501. Laksium domesticum Jack. Duku. 

 From Buitenzorg, Java. Presented by the director of the Botanical Garden, 



Received March 6, 1914. 

 1 See S. P. I. No. 24431 for previous introduction and description. 



37502. Meibomia gtroides (DC.) Kimtze. 



(Desmodium gyroides DC.) 

 From Buitenzorg, Java. Presented by Dr. C. J. J. Van Hall, Department 

 of Agriculture. Received March 6, 1914. 



" This is the most valuable of the many species of Desmodium known to us 

 at present. It grows in bushy form and produces many leaves; it can also be 

 cut to any height, and lives a long time. Desmodium gyroides is to be found in 

 the neighborhood of Plaboeanratoe, up to 2,500 feet. It produces a quantity of 

 seed which is very small, and it is therefore advisable to sow it in lines. The 

 seed will germinate in about a fortnight. One drawback to the use of this 

 plant, however, is that often many of the young plants die shortly after they 

 appear above the ground for some reason which has not yet been satisfactorily 

 explained. 



" This Desmodium is considered to be a very good manurial plant for coffee 

 and hevea plantations, since it produces numerous leaves which form a fairly 

 thick humus layer. It does not suffer from any disease; the only fault to be 

 found with it is that some of the plants, after being pruned a couple of times, 

 may be attacked by Corticium salmonicolor. If the injured plants be removed 

 Immediately, however, there is no fear of any harm being done to the culti- 

 vated plants." (Kew Bulletin, 191 J,, p. .?',.) 



37503. Holcus sorghum L. Sorghum. 

 (Sorghum vulgare Pers.) 



From Northern Nigeria, West Africa. Presented by Mr. J. Shelley, London, 

 England. Received March 7, 1914. 

 "Guinea com or dower. This corn forms the staple article of diet of millions 

 of African negroes. It is very prolific and seems to thrive best in the Tropics, 

 though it is possible that it may he acclimated to grow in the Temperate Zone. 

 The stalks sometimes attain a height of 20 feet. These stalks can be used for 

 forage and basket making." (Shelley.) 



37504 to 37507. 



From Pago Pago, American Samoa. Presented by Commander C. D. 

 Stearns, Governor of American Samoa. Received March 3, 1914. 

 Quoted notes by Commander Stearns. 



37504. (Undetermined.) 



" Magugu. A small size tree ; grows very thick." 



37505. Bixa oreixana L. Arnotto. 

 " Loa. Useful for red dye from the seeds." 



37506. Aqlaia edulis (Roxb.) A. Gray. 

 " Lagaali." 



37507. Gynopogon bracteolosa (Rich.) Schumann, 

 (Alyxia bracteolosa Rich.) 



" Qau. A vine suitable for hedge." 



