921 



believe the Chinese sometimes cook it with pork, and the 

 Burmese with their curries. This vine requires a long sea- 

 son. The tuber is cooling and refreshing, being as juicy 

 as an artichoke." 41167. " Bangkoewang . This variety is 

 the only one cultivated by the natives here." 



Carica papaya L. (Caricaceae . ) 41167. Seeds of a papaya 

 from Macuco, Estado do Rio, Brazil. Presented by Mr. T. 

 R. Day. "Jfamao (pronounced 'Mamong' very nearly, with 

 accent on the second syllable) appears to be the same as 

 the papaya of India, but the fruit here like that of the 

 Brazilian mango also is superior to the Indian varieties 

 we have encountered, although it is not so esteemed here 

 here as it is by the natives in India. This is an unusual- 

 ly good variety, and we think that if not already intro- 

 duced or experimented with, it is well worth trail in the 

 United States in sheltered places where there is practi- 

 cally no winter. It will grow in any soil, and fruits 

 within twelve months, continuing in bearing for some or 

 five years. Among other uses it serves as a very good 

 shade tree for young fruit plantations of tender varieties, 

 as it is such an extraordinary rapid grower, and is very 

 easily cut out when it has served its part." (Day.) 



Carica quercifolia (St. Hil.) Benth. &Hook. (Caricaceae.) 

 41298. Seeds from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Presented by 

 Mr. Benito J. Carrasco, Director General, Botanic garden. - 

 A small tree, closely related to the papaya (C . papaya,) 

 usually forming a rather straggly growth up to 20 feet 

 in height. The alternate leaves are simple, entire to 

 lyrate-lobed, the blades often 12 inches long by 8 inches 

 broad, smooth, and somewhat glaucous. The flowers are 

 dioecious, greenish yellow, in small, rather inconspicuous 

 clusters. The fruit is a pulpy berry 4 to 7j inches 

 long, tasting somewhat like a papaya fruit. The juice 

 is said to have medicinal properties, being regard ed as 

 anthelmintic . The leaves are also used as soap in clean- 

 sing goods. (Adapted from Tluts . Morong.) 



Clwyota edulis Jacq. (Cucurbitaceae . ) 41092-96. Fruits 

 of five varieties of chayote from Kingston, Jamaica. Pre- 

 sented by Mr. Wm. Harris, Superintendent Hope Gardens. 

 "Spiny green, large smooth green, medium sized green, 

 small green, and long white." 



Chayota edulis Jacq. (Cucurbitaceae.) 41135-40. Fruits 

 of six varieties of chayote from San Jose, Costa Rica. 

 Presented by Mr. J. E. Van der Laat, Director, Department 

 of Agriculture, through Dr. Carlos Werckle. "Small white, 

 spiny white, large light green, large white, large dark 

 green, and large light green." Introduced for study and 

 experimental tests by this office. 



