52 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



40000 to 40039— Continued. (Quoted notes by Mr. F. X. Meyer.) 



the mountains at altitudes of 5,000 to 9,000 feet. The natives col- 

 lect the stones, crack them, take the kernels out, and eat them, 

 after having boiled them. They still taste bitter, however. Of 

 use possibly in extending apricot culture farther north ; also as 

 stocks for stone fruits in semiarid regions and as hardy spring- 

 flowering park trees for the cooler parts of the United States." 



40013. "(No. 2151a. Near Kwatsa (on the H.siku River), Kansu, 

 China. November 10, 1914.) Wild apricots, coming from a dif- 

 ferent district : otherwise the same remarks apply to them as to the 

 preceding Dumber." 



40014 and 40015. Prunus spp. Amygdalaceae. Plum. 



40014. "(No. 2152a. Near Kwanyintang (between Paochi and 

 Fenghsien), Shensi, China. September 15, 1914.) A wild plum, 

 found on somewhat stony mountain slopes at altitudes between 

 4,000 and 5,000 feet. Grows into a tall bush, densely branched 

 and often spiny on the young shoots. Fruits the size of a large 

 marble, of yellowish green color, flavor very spicy, although sour 

 near the skin and the stone. Of value possibly to supply compotes 

 and for breeding experiments." 



40015. "(No. 2153a. Kagoba (south of Hsiku), Kansu, China. 

 October 31, 1914.) A wild plum, growing into a tall bush or even 

 a small tree, found on sloping stretches of loess land at the foot 

 of mountains near the Tibetan frontier at altitudes of 6,000 to 

 8,000 feet. Of value possibly, like the preceding number." 



40016. Juglans regia L. Juglandaeese. Walnut. 



"(No. 2145a. Hsiku. Kansu. China. October 26, 1914.) Wild wal- 

 nuts, growing on sheltered mountain sides and in narrow valleys at 

 altitudes of 5,000 to 8,000 feet. There is some variation in the size and 

 quality of nuts from various trees, but in general these wild walnuts 

 are small, hard shelled, and not sweet. The trees may. however, be 

 much hardier than the Persian strain of walnuts, and possibly they 

 could be utilized in extending walnut culture farther north." 

 40017 and 40018. Cephalotaxus drupacea sinensis Rehd. and Wilson. 



Taxacese. 



40017. "(No. 2155a. Near Kwanyintang (between Paoki and 

 Fenghsien), Shensi, China. September 15. 1914.) An evergreen 

 conifer, growing into a tall shrub or rarely into a gnarled small 

 tree. Resembles in general habits Cephalotaxus fortunei, but of 

 denser, less open growth, especially beautiful when young, or two 

 or three years after it has been cut down to the ground ; for this 

 plant throws up sets of new shoots more compact in growth than 

 the original stems. It withstands a great amount of shade, and 

 thrives even among bowlders and stony debris. Of value as an 

 ornamental evergreen, especially for shady places, for those parts 

 of the United States where tin- winters are not too severe. Col- 

 lected at an altitude of 4,000 feet.'' 



40018. "(No. 2156a. Near Kwatsa (on the Hsiku River), Kausu, 

 China. November 10, 1914.1 The same as the preceding number 

 [40017], but coming from a different locality; collected at 5,000 

 feel altitude. Locally this shrub is called Shut pei Shu, meaning 

 'water conifer.' Its seeds are collected by the people and eaten 



