JANUARY 1 TO MARCH 31, 1915. 17 



"The tree is rapid in growth and quite different in habit from most oaks. 

 It reaches an ultimate height of 60 to 80 feet or more, Is quite erect, and sends 

 out large branches at the height of 30 or 40 feet from the ground. Tt is found 

 in considerable abundance about midway down the flanks of Mount Orizaba, 

 being most common about Chiapas, according to Dr. C. A. Purpus, who lias 

 recently been collecting in that region. It is a white oak, maturing its fruit 

 the first season, and, being a white oak, its fruit has sufficient edible quality to 

 be available at least for stock food. 



"The only other oaks that approximate it in size, according to Dr. William 

 Trelease, of the University of Illinois, who called the attention of this asso- 

 ciation to the species, 'are a close relative, Quercus strombocarpa, of the same 

 region, and a Guatemalan black oak, Q. skinneri, the latter apparently an 

 equally large tree and with acorns 2 inches in diameter, but presumably bitter 

 or astringent like our own black acorns.' 



" The nuts of the Qucrcvs insignis are usually about 2 inches in diameter, 

 but may reach 2-J inches. Their weight is from 50 to 65 grams each. In view 

 of its range, the tree is naturally to be supposed unsuited to a temperate 

 climate, but Dr. Purpus writes, 'I think it a very useful tree, which could be 

 raised in Florida, Cuba, Porto Rico, etc' The Office of Foreign Seed and 

 Plant Introduction of the United States Department of Agriculture is now en- 

 deavoring to introduce it to those regions on a large enough scale to give it a 

 chance of success. If it is found to be well adapted, it is possible that native 

 species of oaks could in some cases be grafted over with the productive new one. 

 thus yielding a large crop of acorns with very little trouble or care. Hybridiz- 

 ing experiments should also be tried with some of the best North American 

 oaks, with a view to seeing whether the size of their acorns can not be 

 increased." (The Journal of Heredity, vol. 5, p. J/06, 191//.) 



For an illustration of the giant acorns of this Mexican oak, see Plate I. 



39724 to 39726. 



From Tientsin, China. Presented by Dr. Yamei Kin, Peiyang Woman's 

 Medical School and Hospital. Received January 8, 1015. Quoted notes 

 by Dr. Kin. 



39724. Brassica pekinensis (Lour.) Skeels. Brassicaceae. Pe-tsai. 

 " Seed from Shantung of the fine, specially white pai ts'ai. It is grown 

 in the same way as the Chihli pai ts'ai, but is larger, not so tall, and said 

 to be of better keeping quality." 



39725 and 39726. Cucumis melo L. Cueurbitaeere. Muskmelon. 



" White melon that is very delicate in flavor and easily grown." 

 39725. Larger seeds. 39726. Smaller seeds. 



39727 and 39728. Pittosporum spp. Pittosponuva\ 



From Nice, France. Presented by Dr. A. Robertson-Prosehowsky, Jardin 



d'Acclimatation. Received January 6, 1915. Quoted notes by Dr. 

 Proschowsky. 



39727. PiTxosroRUM fi.oribunoum Wight and Arnott. 



"This species has large leaves and is of comparatively rapid growth. 

 It has numerous small flowers, which are very fragrant. It is one of 

 the most floriferous species I possess, and is new to the Riviera." 



For previous introductions, see S. P. I. Nos. 390-11 and 39129. 



