920 



Mlium cepa L. (Liliaceae.) 41056. Seeds of an onion 

 from Tarum, about 24 miles west of Zendjan (Zinjan), west- 

 Persia. Presented by Mr. R. S. Reed at the request of Col. 

 J. N. Merrill, Persian Army. "Tarum is at an elevation of 

 about 4000 feet; irrigation is used; soil gravelly, pro- 

 bably contains alkali. They are the largest onions I have 

 seen, some of them being six inches in diameter by four in 

 depth or larger. Mr. Reed says the onions of Tarum are 

 much esteemed by the Persians who eat them raw as they 

 have such a good flavor." (Merrill.) 



The following peach seeds and many others have been 

 introduced for the studies of the Office of Horticultural 

 and Pomological Investigations. Steps will be taken to 

 secure plants of the best of these varieties for trial in 

 the United States. 



Amygdalus persica L. (Amygdalaceae . ) 41149. Seeds of 

 two different strains of peach from Chungking, China. Pre- 

 sented by the American Consul. "These peaches are locally 

 known as Hsiang T'ao or Fragrant Peach, and Chieh T'ao or 

 Firm Peach. The Hsiang T'ao is a large peach and its skin 

 and meat are partly red. It becomes soft when ripe and 

 the s,eed is readily extracted. It has a very delicious 

 flavor. The Chieh T'ao is slightly smaller in size than 

 the Hsiang T'ao, and when ripe, its meat is still quite 

 firm. This peach ripens in this climate during the latter 

 part of June, while the Hsiang T'ao ripens about a fort- 

 night earlier. This is also a very finely flavored peach, 

 but not quite so sweet as the other. These peaches are 

 comparatively free from imperfections, a fact which is 

 noteworthy in view of an absence of pest preventive meas- 

 ures." (Myrl S. Myers.) 



Buddleia incana Ruiz & Pavon. (Loganiaceae . ) 41114. 

 Cuttings of quishuar from Pinasniocj, Peru. Presented by 

 Mr. 0. F. Cook. "A tree with grayish foliage somewhat re- 

 sembling the olive, with rather attractive clusters of 

 yellow flowers. It grows on the high tablelands of south- 

 ern Peru where frosts are of rare occurrence during the 

 winter season. It grows rapidly and propagates readily 

 from cuttings. The wood is said to be very hard and dur- 

 able. Of possible interest for ornamental planting or wind- 

 breaks in the coast district of southern California." (Cook.) 



Cacara erosa (L. ) Kuntze. (Fabaceae.) 41143. Seeds of 

 yambeans from Calcutta, India and Buitenzorg, Java. Pre- 

 sented by the Economic Botanist, Botanical Survey of India 

 and the Director, Department of Agriculture, Java. "The 

 plant is described as a bean with an edible tuber. The 

 tubers are usually the size of an orange. Flesh white, 

 somewhat like a turnip. It is usually eaten raw, though I 



