36 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



29117 to 29121. Asparagus spp. 



From Paris, France. Piu-chased from Vilmoiin-Andiieux & Co. Received 

 December 5, 1910. 

 Seeds of the following climbing varieties: 



29117. Asparagus blampiedii Hort. 



29118. Asparagus CRispus Lam. 



See No. 28923 for previous introduction. 



29119. Asparagus comorensis Hort. 



29120. Asparagus scandens deplexus Baker. 



Distribution. — In woods on the lower slopes of the mountains in the Somerset 

 division of the central region of Ca])e Colony and in the vicinity of Cape Town. 



29121. Asparagus verticillatus L. 



' ' Fruit red . Height 3 to 4 meters. Foliage ornamental from April to October. ' ' 

 Distribution.— Southeastern Em-ope and western Asia, extending from 



Tm-key through the Caucasus region to the southern part of Siberia and northern 



Persia. 



29122. CoRDEAUxiA EDULis Hemsl. Yeheta nut. 



From Kew, England. Presented by Dr. David Prain, director, Royal Botanic 

 Gardens. Received December 2, 1910. 



"The yeheb plant grows in poor sandy soil in the dry regions of Italian Somaliland. 

 The underground soil is said to be somewhat moist and at certain seasons of the year 

 there are regular and plentiful rains in the localities where the plant grows. 



"The yeheb forms an evergreen bush about 4 to 6 feet high and the seeds are an 

 important article of food among the Somalis. 



"Its seeds, called nuts, have a high food value, containing 21 per cent of cane 

 sugar, 2 per cent of reducing sugars, 13 per cent of proteids, and 37 per cent of cai'bo- 

 hydrates. They form an article of commerce and are brought to the coast by caravans. 

 They are eaten by the native Dolbahanta Somalis in preference to rice and dates. 

 Though the climate of Somaliland is not well known, the indications are that where 

 this plant grows long periods of drought occm-, but rains are abundant and regular at 

 certain seasons of the year. Winter temperatm-es probably do not go below fi-eezing. 

 The plant quickly forms a long taproot, bears when only 4 feet high, has evergreen 

 leaves which if crushed stain the fingers a magenta color, and grows into a large tree. 



"At Kew seedlings have been raised without difficulty under moist tropical con- 

 ditions, but it is hoped that it may be possible to establish the plant in dry regions 

 where the soil is poor and the conditions are similar to those of its native country." 

 (See Kew Bulletin, 1908, No. 1, pp. 36^4, and No. 3, p. 141.) 



"I doubt very much if Florida will suit this plant, but the southern part of Cali- 

 fornia seems more hopeful. It is evident, however, from its behavior with us that 

 it is one of those desert plants which insist on having desert- conditions so far at least 

 as the surface is concerned, though I suspect it likes to be able to tap a deep supply 

 of water. Perhaps a sand draw, pro\'ided such can be found in a region sufficiently 

 hot, would be the ideal locality for it." (Prain.) 



29123 and 29124. Citrus limetta Risso. Lime. 



From Trinidad, British West Indies. Collected and presented by Mr. G. P. 

 Wilder, of Hawaii. Received December 7, 1910. 

 Cuttings of the following; notes by Mr. Wilder: 



29123. "Spineless lime, from St. Clair Experiment Station, Port of Spain. 

 This lime had few seeds, juice was of fine quality, shape roundish and de- 

 pressed. There are about 6 to 8 trees, very healthy and robust. The entire 

 wood is free from thorns." 

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