1181 



Canavali gladiatum (Jacq.) DeCandolle. (Fabaceae.) 

 44806. Sword bean. From Cairo, Egypt. Presented by Mr. 

 F. G. Walsingham, Giza Branch, Horticultural Division, 

 Ministry of Agriculture. A perennial, climbing plant, 

 with leaves composed of 3 roundish leaflets 2 to 6 

 inches long, and axillary racemes of dark purple 

 flowers. The scimitar-shaped pods are about a foot long 

 and contain numerous red or white seeds which resem- 

 ble large beans. The young pods are sliced and boiled 

 for table use, and are also pickled. Propagation Is 

 by seeds. 



Casuarina stricta Dryander. (Casuarinaceae . ) 44909. 



Drooping sheoak. Presented by Mr. B. Harrison, through 



Mr. C. V. Piper. An Australian tree, 20 to 30 feet 



in height, known in New South Wales as Feld's Fodder tree; 



suitable for dry or semi-arid sections. The foliage 

 is eagerly eaten by cattle, especially in times of 

 drought, and it is said that one tree has supported 8 

 to 10 head of stock at one time. Even in large quan- 

 tities it does not appear to have an injurious effect 

 on the cattle. The wood is used for cabinet work and 

 shingles, and makes an excellent fuel. (Adapted from 

 letter of Mr. B. Harrison of May 8, 1917.) 



Citrullus vulgaris Schrader. (Cucurbitaceae . ) 44842. 

 Water-melon seeds from Durban, Natal. Presented by Mr. 

 William W. Masterson, American Consul. Mankataan. A 

 melon much cultivated throughout Natal for use as cat- 

 tle feed. It is exceptionally tough, enduring rough 

 handling and keeping for six months after ripening 

 without spoiling; but, at the same time, as it is very 

 watery, it makes an excellent green fodder for live 

 stock, especially when mixed with such feed as alfal- 

 fa hay or corn stalks. It is also very suitable for 

 jam making, some of the Cape Colony firms using large 

 quantities for this purpose. One pound of seed will 

 plant two or three acres, and as much as 120 tons of 

 melons have been taken from a single acre. It might 

 be suitable for the semiarid regions of the United 

 States. (Adapted from William W. Masterson, Consular 

 report, April 18, 1917.) 



Citrullus vulgaris Schrader. (Cucurbitaceae.) 44869. 

 Water-melon seeds from Curacao , Dutch West Indies. Col- 

 lected by Mr. H. M. Curran. "The watermelons of Cura- 

 cao are the best I have tasted in the tropics. March, 

 1917." (Curran.) 



