569 



only as a side industry. Other beginnings were made which were 

 but short-lived. One cwt . of leaves is said to yield about 3 

 ounces of oil. The pure oil is thin, colorless and strong with 

 a citron-like flavor. The average exportation of citronella 

 from Colombo is about 40,000 pounds valued at 8,000 pounds 

 sterling or about 4 shillings and 1 penny per pound. It is 

 largely used to give the peculiar odor to what is known as 

 'honey soap' and in the making of perfumes. In Travancore prop- 

 agation of this grass is left to nature, no care of any kind 

 whatever being given. It is treated purely as a natural pro- 

 duct of the jungle. It is even looked down upon as a glutton 

 upon soil-food, deserving if possible extermination and cre- 

 mation. In Ceylon the citronella grass is raised from seed and 

 planted like Guinea grass, and will give two or three crops a 

 year. When fit to cut the grass is carried to a large boiler 

 and the oil is distilled. It Is estimated to give about 3 doz- 

 en bottles to the acre, but the demand is limited and the price 

 fluctuates from 2 shillings and 6 pence a bottle to 4 shil- 

 lings and 6 pence a bottle. At the latter price it pays hand- 

 somely while at the former it little more than covers expendi- 

 ture. A still capable of turning out a dozen bottles a day 

 costs 300 pounds. A decoction of the leaves is used it is said 

 to purify blood. It is also given in cases of cough and used 

 in steam baths for colds. Externally it is applied to remove 

 rheumatic pains in which case it is said to equal the Samadera 

 indica of the sandy regions of northern Travancore. The oil is 

 said to be good for cholera. For children it is a good tonic. 

 It is also a stimulant and diaphoretic." (Filial. ) For dis- 

 tribution later. 



HIBISCUS ESCULENTUS. (Malvaceae.) 33749. Seeds of okra 

 from Avery Island, La. Presented by Mr. E. A. Mcllhenny. "These 

 seed are a variety of okra a friend of ours sent us from Egypt 

 six or seven years ago. By careful selection we have produced 

 a variety of okra which is unexcelled for table purposes. It 

 is an early bearer, and has a thicker flesh and is more tender 

 than any of the commercial okra which we have tried." 

 (Mcllhenny.) For distribution later. 



MALPIGHIA COSTARICENSIS. (Malpighiaceae . ) 33740. Cut- 

 tings from San Jose, Costa Rica. Presented by Mr. Carlos Wer- 

 ckle, National Museum, San Jose. "A small tree with large pu- 

 bescent leaves; prolific, bearing very good fruit. Grows from 

 cuttings, but root cuttings are said to be best." (Werckle.) 

 For distribution later. 



OLEA FOVEOLATA. (Oleaceae.) 33783. Seeds of bastard 

 ironwood from East London, Cape Colony. Presented by Mr. 



