913 



ably, particularly those which are rich In micaceous ele- 

 ments. These are ordinarily recovered from bararata, large 

 reeds (Phragm-ites commujiis?) attaining four meters in 

 height, and submerged during the winter. The soil is pre- 

 pared by superficial working. This preparation commences 

 in March and April, as soon as the waters subside. The 

 bararatas (reeds) are cut and burned; they shoot again, but 

 the young shoots are broken down with a stick and this en- 

 croaching vegetation disappears. The seeds are planted in 

 holes from three to four meters apart in March and April. 

 Harvest takes place from September to December. Almost all 

 of the crops of Cape beans are irrigated. Sells In Mar- 

 seilles for 65 francos per 100 kilos." (Heckel.) 



Polakowskia tacaco Plttler. (Cucurbitaceae. ) 41008. Seeds 

 of tacaco from Costa Rica. Presented by Mr. Carlos Werckle, 

 at the request of Mr. Van der Laat, Director, Department 

 of Agriculture. "A cucurbitaceous plant, the fruit of 

 which is used as a green vegetable. It it a near relative 

 to the chayote, but the fruit is smaller, fusiform, set 

 with stiff spines at the base and of quite a distinct 

 taste. It is one of the primitive foods of the native In- 

 dians of Costa Rica, where it grows wild In fresh, shady 

 places of the temperate region, and its use as a vegetable 

 has been readily adopted by the Spanish Costa Rlcans. 

 Nowadays the plant Is at least semi-cultivated on the cen- 

 tral plateau. To grow it, a whole mature fruit is set in 

 a rich, loose leaf mould, with the spiny end up and almost 

 showing at the surface. (They do not sprout if planted In 

 common garden earth. ) The vines spread on the ground or 

 on low bushes or supports. The fruits, which are about two 

 and one-half Inches long and one and one-half inches broad, 

 hang from short peduncles and are picked when still green. 

 After taking away the basal spines they are boiled In 

 water, either whole or out into small pieces, or pickled, 

 or made Into preserves. They are also a favorite addition 

 to the native vegetable soups." (H. Plttier.) 



Pouteria caiiuito (Ruiz & Pav. )Radlkof er . (Sapotaceae . ) 

 41003. Seeds of abiu from Lavras, Mlnas, Brazil. Pre- 

 sented by Mr. Benjamin H. Hunnicutt, Escola Agricola de 

 Lavras. "A timber tree with edible fruits. The fruit is 

 a beautiful golden yellow and is the shape of the fruit of 

 the limao do rnatto, Rheedia brasiliensis . The fruit is some- 

 what sticky but of a delicious flavor. The one we have on 

 our place Is a beautiful bush at present and would do very 

 well as an ornamental plant. It Is found In the states of 

 Espirlto Santo, S. Paulo and Mlnas Geraes." (Hunnicutt.) 



