50 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



39999. Qtjercus sp. Fagaceae. Oak. 



From Zacuapam, Vera Cruz, Mexico. Presented by Dr. C. A. Purpus. 

 Received March 5, 1915. 



Selected from a lot of Qucrcus insignia. 

 40000 to 40039. 



From China. Collected by Mr Frank N. Meyer, Agricultural Explorer 

 for the Department of Agriculture. Received March 2, 1915. Quoted 

 notes by Mr. Meyer, except as otherwise indicated. 



40000 to 40006. Amygdalus spp. Amygdalacese. Peach. 



40000. Amygdalus persica L. 

 (Primus persica Stokes.) 

 "(No. 2138a. July to November, 1914.) Cultivated and escaped 

 peaches, collected along the roadsides in the Chinese Provinces of 

 Honan, Shansi, Shensi, and Kansu at various altitudes. To be 

 sown to obtain new types, possibly." 

 40001 to 40006. Amygdalus spp. 



40001. "(No. 2139a. Sianfu, Shensi, China. August 30, 1914.) 

 Wild peaches having larger fruits than the ordinary wild 

 ones, said to come from near Tzewu, to the south of Sianfu, 

 but some also probably collected from trees in gardens which 

 were raised from wild seeds. When seen wild this peach 

 generally assumes a low bush form of spreading habit ; when 

 planted in gardens and attended to, it grows into a small 

 tree, reaching a height of 12 to 20 feet, with a smooth trunk 

 of dark mahogany-brown color. The leaves are always much 

 smaller and more slender than in cultivated varieties, while 

 their color is much darker green. They seem to be somewhat 

 less subject to various diseases than the cultivated sorts, and 

 they are most prolific bearers, although the fruit is of very 

 little value, on account of its smallness and lack of flavor. 

 In gardens around Sianfu this wild peach is utilized as a 

 stock for improved varieties. It is also grown as an orna- 

 mental ; said to be literally covered in spring with multitudes 

 of shell-pink flowers. See also No. 2123a [S. P. I. No. 39428]." 



40002. "(No. 2140a. Tsing Range, Shensi, China. September, 

 1914.) Wild peaches, occurring in the foothills of the higher 

 mountains at altitudes of 2,000 to 5,000 feet, generally found 

 at the edges of loess cliffs and on rocky slopes. There is a 

 great deal of variation to be observed as regards size and 

 shape of leaves, density of foliage, and general habits." 



40003. "(No. 2141a. Near Paichiatien. near Fenghsien. Shensi. 

 China. September 17, 1914.) Wild peaches found on a moun- 

 tain side, at an altitude of 4.000 feet; these small trees and 

 bushes had borne such a heavy crop that the ground beneath 

 them was covered with a layer, a few inches thick, of the 

 small, yellowish, hairy fruits. The local inhabitants didn't 

 (•(insider them worth collecting even, and they were rotting 

 and drying up." 



40004. "(No. 2112a. Kagoba (south of Hsiku), Kansu, Chiuu. 

 October 3, 1914.) Wild peaches occurring as tall shrubs in 

 loess cliffs at the Tibetan frontier at altitudes of 0,000 to 8,000 



