INVENTORY OF SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED 



• BY THE OFFICE OF FOREIGN SEED AND PLANT 



INTRODUCTION DURING THE PERIOD FROM 



APRIL 1 TO JUNE 30, 1915 (NO. 43; NOS. 40389 TO 



40895). 



INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT. 



The plant material recorded in this inventory represents collec- 

 tions made and gifts received from different parts of the world while 

 the European war was in progress, and, as showing how little the war 

 has affected the attitude of the scientific men with whom this office 

 is in touch, it may be remarked that specialists in the following coun- 

 tries have furnished plants or seeds in response to requests or upon 

 their own initiative: Italy, France, Holland, England, and their 

 colonies, Russia, China, Sweden, Greece, Spain, Mexico. Argentina, 

 Japan, Colombia, Turkey, Peru, Costa Rica, Ecuador. Chile, Guate- 

 mala, Cuba, Liberia, and Paraguay. While the number of shipments 

 falls below that of similar periods before the war and is probably 

 much below 7 what it would have been had there been no war. it is 

 nevertheless a substantial showing of cooperation among the scientific 

 plant enthusiasts of the world. 



The most notable collections recorded in the inventory are those 

 made by the Department's explorer, Mr. Frank X. Meyer, during 

 his expedition into the little-known Province of Kansu. in north- 

 western China. This expedition was made from Peking, from 

 which city Mr. Meyer started on June 20, 1014. his route taking him 

 through the following principal cities of China and enabling him 

 to get a general idea of the field for exploration there: Changte 

 (Honan), Luanfu, Pingyangfu. Wensi, Tungchowfu, Sianfu, Paoki. 

 Fenghsien, Huihsien, Chenghsien, Chiehchow, Siku, Minchow, Tao- 

 chow, Titaochow, Lanchowf'u. Pingliang, Kingchow, and Pinchow. 



It is outside the province of this brief introduction even to sketch 

 the accomplishments of this expedition, which lasted seven months. 

 further than to call attention to the plant species which were dis- 

 covered during its progress, as enumerated in this inventory. Mr. 



Note. — This bulletin is a record of new or little known seeds ami plants procured 

 mostly from abroad. It is Intended for distribution to agricultural experiment stations 

 and the more important private cooperators. 



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