912 



not all ripen late, and only a few fruits hang on until 

 February. At the present time there are fruits in various 

 stages of growth upon the tree, some almost fully grown, 

 others still quite small. Joaquin Wilson claims that he 

 has picked ripe fruit from this tree during a large por- 

 tion of the year. It does not appear to be a very heavy 

 bearer, however. For trial at Miami, Florida." (Popenoe.) 

 40981. "Placetas, Santa Clara Province. Merced avocado. 

 The latest variety growing in the Quinta Aguas Azules of 

 Dona Serafina Wilson, Viuda de Bartlett, at Guadalupe, 

 about 15 miles from Placetas. The fruit is said to remain 

 on the tree until February. It is broadly pyriform, very 

 similar to Pollock in shape, but probably not over one 

 pound in weight, judging by its present size. The color 

 when ripe is said to be green, and the quality excellent. 

 The tree is old and in poor condition; it is not bearing a 

 good crop this season, but might fruit more heavily under 

 favorable conditions. For trial in south Florida." (Pop- 

 enoe.) 40982. "Placetas, Santa Clara Province. Wilson 

 avocado. A late variety, said to be of unusally good qual- 

 ity, from the Quinta of Sr. Joaquin Wilson at Guadalupe, 

 about 15 miles from Placetas . This is a rather small fruit, 

 probably not over 8 to 10 ounces in weight, round to very 

 broadly oval in form, usually somewhat oblique at the ap- 

 ical end. The color, when ripe, is said to be very light 

 green. The skin is two mm. in thickness. The flesh is 

 perfectly free from fiber, and said to be of unusually 

 fine texture and rich flavor. The seed is very small in 

 proportion to the size of the fruit. According to Sr. 

 Wilson, after whom the variety is named, it ripens about 

 Christmas. The tree is carrying an excellent crop and 

 seems to be all that could be desired in regard to pro- 

 ductiveness. While rather small in size, this seems to be 

 a valuable fruit, and should be tried in southern Flori- 

 da. " (Popenoe. ) 



Phaseolus lunatus L. (Fabaceae.) 40925. Seeds from 

 Marseilles, France. Presented by Dr. E. Heckel, Director, 

 Colonial Museum. "Kalamaka of the Malagasies. Cape beans 

 have taken the second place among the agricultural pro- 

 ducts of Madagascar in exportation. In commerce, this 

 large bean bears different names, liaricot d' Orleans , haricot de 

 Lima, de Parague, etc. It has been known in Madagascar 

 for a very long time, and it is mentioned in the accounts 

 of voyages before the 17th century. Its culture is prac- 

 ticed almost exclusively in the provinces of Tulear and 

 Morondava, situated at the southwest of the island. The 

 alluvial soils of the deltas of this region suit it admira- 



