

1193 



related to the Rhodes grass, and Panicum distaehyon (No. 

 41746) which ranks as one of the best of the indige- 

 nous grasses of northern Australia. 



The true tropical yams (Dioscorea spp. ) have grown 

 so well in Florida, and the quality of their tubers is 

 so excellent that the introduction from Panama by Mr. 

 0. W. Barrett of three selected strains (Nos. 42052 

 to 42054) is of special interest. 



A palm, Chamaedorea tepejilote (No. 41705), the inflo- 

 rescence of which forms a regular source of excellent 

 food in the Vera Cruz province of Mexico , according to 

 Dr. C. A. Purpus , and which will grow on sandy soil, 

 might accommodate itself to conditions in Florida. And 

 a tall-growing variety of the ordinary bean, the Taw- 

 ana or Taguana (No. 42049), which climbs 15 to 20 

 meters into the tops of the high trees in Paraguay 

 and which produces heavy crops of beans, will be in- 

 teresting to bean growers even though it may not be a 

 valuable acquisition. 



The existence in Dominica of an indigenous wal- 

 nut , Jug lans domingensis (No. 41930), related to our black 

 walnut, will interest those engaged in the hybridiza- 

 tion of the species of Juglans; and the gathering to- 

 gether for propagation and distribution by Mr. C. A. 

 Reed of the hardiest and best seedlings of the Persian 

 or English walnut, Juglans regia (Nos. 42022 and 42023, 

 and Nos. 42041 to 42044), from New York State and 

 Canada, cannot fail to attract attention to the neg- 

 lect which horticulturists of our Eastern States have 

 shown to the possibilities of walnut culture on this 

 side of the Rockies. 



The Queensland nut, or Macadamia (No. 41808), 

 has grown and fruited so well in California and Flor- 

 ida and its nuts are so delicious that it is a wonder 

 more has not been done with it, -especially in Hawaii 

 where trees were planted 30 years ago and where they 

 have borne good crops, according to Mr. C. S. Judd of 

 the Board of Commissioners of Agriculture, who sends 

 in a quantity of seeds. 



Although it is extremely doubtful if the Tangu- 

 tian almond, Amygdalus tangutica (Nos. 41708 and 41709), 

 can be used as a stock for the almonds, it should 

 certainly be hybridized with the ordinary almond, if 

 possible, and the production of a bush almond at least 

 attempted. The large amount of seeds sent in by Rev. 

 C. F. Snyder from Kansu may bring this hybrid about. 



Although in quality American varieties of the 

 peach lead the world, there are yet possibly to be 



