24 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



say ilif nuts were brought here from the Caroline Islands. They have not come 

 into use in Guam. Throughout Polynesia the nuts, strung on coconut-leaflet 

 ribs, serve the natives for candles to light their houses. In Hawaii they are 

 roasted, chopped up, mixed with seaweed, and served at Dative feasts as a 

 relish. They yield an oil which is very fluid, of an amber color, without smell, 

 insoluble in alcohol, readily saponifiable, and quick drying. This oil is a mild 

 cathartic, acting in the same manner as castor oil, hut causing no nausea or 

 griping and having the further advantage of a unity flavor and of being more 

 prompt in its effects." (Sufford, Useful Plants of Guam.) 



40978 to 40983. 



From Cuba. Collected by Mr. Wilson Popenoe, Agricultural Explorer for 

 the Department of Agriculture. Cuttings received July 26, 1915. Quoted 

 notes by Mr. Popenoe. 



40978 to 40982. Persea Americana Miller. Lauracea?. Avocado. 



(Persea gratissima Gaertn. f. ) 



40978. "(Placetas, Santa Clara Province, Cuba. July 20. 1915.) 

 Bartlett avocado. A rather remarkable variety growing in the 

 garden of Dr. Alberto Bartlett, of this town. It is said to bear two 

 crops a year; the first crop is early and is now ripening; the 

 second crop commences in 1 >ecember and the last fruit was eaten 

 this year on May 8. In form this fruit is broadly pyriform, and in 

 size about 4 inches long by 3 inches in thickness. The color is 

 bright green, the surface smooth. The skin is rather thin, scarcely 

 over 1 mm. in thickness. The flesh is creamy yellow near the 

 seed, changing to pale green near the skin, of good texture and said 

 to be of good quality, though not excellent. The seed is about the 

 average size, but not objectionably large ; the seed coats are 

 rather thick and loose, but I found no specimens in which the seed 

 rattled in the cavity. The tree is evidently very productive, judg- 

 ing by the present crop. It is growing in a very favorable situa- 

 tion, however, and received a good deal of fertilizer. The fruit 

 is attractive in appearance and seems well worthy of a trial in 

 southern Florida." 



40979. "(Placetas, Santa Clara Province, Cuba, July 20, 1915.) 

 Don Curios avocado. A small variety, said to be of exceptionally 

 choice quality, from the Quinta Aguas Azules of Dona Seratina 

 Wilson, Viuda de Bartlett, Dear Guadalupe, about 15 miles from 

 Placetas. This fruit is almosl perfectly round in form and of light 

 yellowish green color. The skin is thick, the flesh of fine, oily 

 texture, and the seed very small in comparison to the size of the 

 fruit. The tree is bearing an excellent crop and can probably be 

 considered productive. It ripens its fruit from August to October, 

 and is not. therefore, a very late variety, hut because of its good 

 quality it is considered worthy of a trial in southern Florida. It 

 was the favorite fruit of Don Carlos Bartlett. the former owuer of 

 the Quinta Aguas Azules, and has been named for him." 



40980. "(Placetas, Santa Clara Province, Cuba. July 20, 191."..) 

 Guadalupe avocado. A lute variety from the quinta of Sr. Joaquin 

 Wilson al Guadalupe, about 15 miles from Placetas. This is a 

 broadly pyriform fruit, nan-owed at the base, hut not noticeably 

 'necked,' and somewhat oblique at the apex. It will probably 

 weigh 12 to 14 ounces when ripe. The eel. a- is green, sometimes 



