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AMFELODESMA TENAX. (Poaceae.) 33750. Seeds of diss from 

 Algiers, Algeria. Presented by Dr. L. Trabut . This plant 

 which is often confused with the esparto, Stipa tenacissima, 

 grows v/ild on the Algerian coast, and is said to produce 84 per 

 cent of fiber, with an average length of five feet. This fiber 

 has been used for nets for fishing, which are very durable if 

 kept in water and protected from the sun. It has also been im- 

 ported into Sicily for paper making and has been made into rope 

 in Italy. (After Dodge, Useful fiber plants.) For distri- 

 bution later. 



ANNONA SPP. (Annonaceae. ) 33745-748. Seeds of anonas from 

 Guadalajara, Mexico. Presented by Mr. Samuel E. Magill, Ameri- 

 can consul. "There are four varieties of annonaceous fruits 

 grown in this part of Mexico probably originating from the same 

 stock but now having essential differences due to the changes 

 made in time by different altitudes and temperatures. The 

 names of these four varieties are chirimoya (A. chirimola) , 

 ilama (A. diversif olia) , anona (A. reticulata) and cabeza negra 

 (A. purpurea) . The chirimoya is one of the best fruits grown 

 in the 'tierra templada 1 or temperate region. When grown under 

 the best conditions it is undoubtedly the best of the family. 

 Color brownish-green, with dark brown or black seed, and pulp 

 white, tender and very sweet. The ilama also grows best in a 

 temperate climate although that grown at Colima and further 

 south is very fine, but the variety grown on the sides of the 

 Colima volcano and Cerro Grande, at an altitude much above the 

 level of the surrounding country, is much better. The color of 

 the llama is green-gray when ripe with seeds of a light coffee 

 color. The pulp is brownish-white and firm and it breaks open 

 when ripe. The ilama matures in October and November. The 

 anona is strictly a tropical fruit and grows on the 'tierra 

 caliente 1 or hot coast lands. There are two kinds of fruit 

 called anona, the only apparent difference being in outside 

 color when ripe, one being a yellowish-red and the other a 

 greenish-gray. Each has soft white pulp, and black or dark 

 brown seed. It ripens in April or May. I am told there is 

 also a wild variety known as the cabeza negra or blac head. 

 It is also known as 'frioy calentura' meaning 'cold and hot', 

 or 'chills and fever,' due perhaps to its effect on one eating 

 it, hence it is not popular and is rarely seen in the markets. 

 It is difficult to get the truth as to the varieties of this 

 fruit from the Indians or even from intelligent whites so much 

 depending on the altitude or climate where the fruit is grown. 



