640 



A.LYSICARPUS SPP. (Fabaceae.) 34931-933. Seeds from 

 Poona, India. Presented by Mr. W. Burns, Economic Botanist, 

 through Mr. C. V. Piper, of this Bureau. Three species of 

 legumes, related species of which are considered among the 

 best Indian grazing plants. For distribution later. 



AMYGDALUS PERSICA NECTARINA. ( Amygdalaceae . ) 34997. 

 Seeds of a nectarine from Santiago, Chile. Procured by Mr. 

 W. F. Wight, of this Bureau. "Yellow-fleshed nectarines 

 which are very common in the Santiago markets." (Wight.) 

 For distribution later. 



BOMAREA SP. ( Amaryllidaceae . ) 34979. Seeds from San 

 Jose, Costa Rica. Presented by Mr. Ad. Tonduz , Botanist, 

 National Museum. "Fruits found in the vicinity of San 

 Jose. An ornamental with edible tubers." (Tonduz.) For 

 distribution later. 



BORASSUS FLABELLIFER. (Phoenicaceae . ) 35040. Seeds 

 of the Palmyra palm from Madras, India. Presented by Mr. 

 H. E. Houghton, Superintendent, Agri-Horticultural Society 

 through Mr. Jose de Olivares, American Consul. "An erect 

 palm, 60 to 70 feet high, with a stout trunk and fan- 

 shaped leaves, indigenous to the dry region of Ceylon, 

 India and Africa. It is naturally suited to a rather dry 

 climate; is extensively cultivated for the fruit and 

 leaves. The large black fruits are borne in a cluster at 

 the base of the leaves; the nut contains a refreshing sap, 

 much relished as a cooling drink; the kernels or young 

 seeds are much used as an article of food, being sold in 

 large quantities in the bazaars during the months of April 

 and May; the sap obtained from the flower spathes is col- 

 lected in large quantities and either fermented and made 

 into 'toddy' or 'arrack' (an intoxicating drink), or boiled 

 down for making sugar or jaggery. The leaf blades are used 

 for making fans, baskets, buckets, etc.; while the leaf- 

 stalks and mid-ribs furnish an excellent brush-fibre, which 

 forms an article of export. To obtain the latter the trees 

 are stripped of all but three leaves once in two years. 

 The trunk yields a hard and most durable timber and the 

 husks are in demand for fuel. Among palms in the East the 

 Palmyra ranks next in importance to the coconut, and the 

 acreage under its cultivation in Ceylon is estimated at 

 approximately 40,000 acres, while that in Tinnevelly is 

 said to be about 60,000 acres. It is propagated from seed, 

 which is sown in situ in holes made in sandy soil. In 

 about ten years from sowing, the palms should be in flower, 

 when they may be used for drawing toddy and making sugar. 



