198 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



8430 to 8433. Punica granatum. Pomegranate. 



From Valetta, Malta. Presented ))y Baron Testaferrata Abela, through Mr. D. G. 

 Fairchild. Received February 25, 1902. 



Cuttinojs as follows: 



8430. 8432. 



(iinsrppe. Prima quality. Frances. 



8431. 8433. 



iJiic Colon, di S. Catering. ,S. liosa. 



8434. Eleusine coracana. Ragi millet or Kurakkan. 



From Colombo, Cevlon. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild (No. 

 809, January i:!,"l902), February 25, 1902. 



"A species of millet which is planted all over Ceylon by the Singale.se. It is a 

 most important food croj) for the natives, although given little attention by Euro- 

 peans. Watt's Dictionary of Indian Products, 1890, Vol. Ill, p. 287, gives a long 

 account of the use of this species in India, where it forms one of tlie great staples. 

 Ferguson describes it as the most j)roli(ic of cuhivatcd grasses. One variety, J'J. 

 strirta Roxb., gives an increase of 120 fold, an(jther 500 fold, and a single seed has 

 been calculated to produce no less than 8,100 seeds in a single year. These seeds 

 are very small, however. The food made from this species is coarse, though nourish- 

 ing. When l^oiled the Hour forms a sticky paste, which must be eaten with greasy 

 gravy to be palatable. There are two varieties in this samjile, mixed together, this 

 being the way the field was sown. The two sorts are called Ifmnum Kurakkan, or 

 Black Kurakkan, -Am] Klri (A>'hite or JNIilk) Kurakkan. The seed is broadcasted and 

 raked in or trampled in with the feet hi May, in Ceylon, and the crop ripens in three 

 months. It seems, however, to be sometimes planted at other times of the year. 

 These varieties are suited only to irrigated lands and for trial in tropical regions with 

 an abundance of rain. This species is a native of Ceylon, but varieties of the same 

 species are cultivated under the native names of Mitrua Kairarii or Kclvaragu in con- 

 tinental India. This whole (jue.'^tion of the Indian millets, many of which withstand 

 severe dry weather. Watt says, is worthy of especial attention, and all the best var- 

 ieties should be secured. Doctor Drieberg, superintendent of School Gardens, Cinna- 

 mon Gardens, Colombo, should he aj)plied to for a larger quantity of this seed, which 

 at this season is dithcult to secure m good condition. As a chicken food this is reputed 

 to be unsurpassed, fattening poultry with great rapidity. This is grown in a region 

 which has 75 to 100 inches of rainfall a year." ( Faircliilrl. ) 



8435. Citrus decumana. Pomelo. 



From Poona, India. Received through Messrs. Lathroj) and Fairchild (No. 815, 

 January 26, 1902), Feliruary 25, 1902. 



"A variety of pomelo which is said to be practically seedless, though not of first 

 quality. It may prove useful for crossing purj)oses. it is medium large and has a 

 thick skin. The fiesh is too dry." [Fairchild.) 



8436. ViTis viNiFERA. Grrape. 



From Poona, India. Received through INIessrs. Lathrop and Fairchild (No. 810, 

 January 27, 1902), February 25, 1902. 



Bhokri. "A sweet, white .sort, with rather tough skin, lint very productive. This 

 is one of the best varieties for general cultivation al)out Poona, which has a high alti- 

 tude, tropical climate, temperature as high as 120°, and with SO inches of rainfall. 

 It is said to have originatetl in the north of India. It bears two crops a year, only 

 the second one, however, being sweet." [Fairchild.) 



8437. Jasminum sambac. Arabian jasmine. 



From Poona, India. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild (No. 817, 

 January 25, 1902), February 25, 1902. 



"A variety of jessamine much cultivated by the natives of India and used by them 

 in their worship under the name of Mogaree. It is a vigorous growing shrub and 



