924 



bearing variety grown at an altitude of 3,000 feet." 

 41122. "A variety grown along the coast between Lima and 

 Callao, in a rather cool climate. All three varieties 

 should 'be tested in California and the South." (Cook.) 



Melinis minutiflora Beauv. (Foaceae.; Seeds of 

 molasses grass from Macuco, E. do Rio, Brazil. Presented 

 by Mr. T. R. Day. "There are two grasses here that are 

 worthy of special mention, the doubt as to adaptability be- 

 ing with regard to the winters in the Southern States, 

 which I understand are in some places fairly severe. ^They 

 are called Capim Gordura Roxa , and Capim Jaragua. Capim 

 Gordura Roxa means literally 'greasy purple grass' 

 have seen Capim Gordura Roxa live down the wild fern that 

 is such a plague in some districts, and form (where not 

 pastured) a dense carpet between three and four feet thick 

 upon which it was almost possible to walk. Riding or walk- 

 ing through it in the pasture under normal conditions the 

 proportion of wax and grease on the blades is sufficient 

 to thoroughly clean and polish one's boots; this is no ex- 

 aggeration, but is often remarked. It is not a watery 

 grass, but unusually palatable to cattle and horses and 

 the blades secret a wax or grease that according to one 

 analysis totals as much as 3.22 per cent of the dry di- 

 gestible matter. It is sensible to the finger , which it 

 makes quite sticky. I have not met it in any other coun- 

 try, and I believe that it is indigeous to the central 

 part of Brazil, not thriving right down in the South nor 

 in the sandier coast states of the North. It is a fairly 

 good drought resister, and comes up fairly well again 

 after a fire. There is a related variety called Capim 

 Gordura Branco (Branco means white) of a bright emerald 

 green color, but without the resistence of the Roxa, and 

 also not stooling so well. I have found both of the above 

 grasses growing away from sea level up to 2000 meters on 

 Caparad, the highest mountain of Brazil, and I have found 

 it at 1000 meters living down the wild fern (both these 

 altitudes are susceptible to frost), and I have ridden 

 through it on the uplands of Minas Geraes coated with a 

 dense white frost." (Day.) 



Mytica rubra Sieb. & Zucc. (Myricaceae . ) 41256. Seeds 

 from Hangchow, Chekiang, China. "A large fruited variety 

 of the so-called strawberry tree or Yang mae. The fruits 

 are the size of crabapples, of dark purple color and very 

 attractive looks. They can be used in a multitude of ways, 

 like out of hand, boiled in compotes, in pies, for syrup, 

 and for wine. In general there exists a great variation 

 among the trees as regards general habit, productivity, etc. 

 The fruits themselves vary also greatly in color, size and 



