1237 



Aetinidia arguta (Dilleniaceae) , 45241. Prom Bronx 

 Park, New York. Presented by Mr. George V. Nash, New 

 York Botanical Garden. Cuttings from plants sent the 

 New York Botanical Garden in 1898, under S. P. I. No. 

 235. as A. polygama. Introduced from Russia by N. E. 

 Hansen. There is no finer climbing shrub for porches 

 in this latitude than Aetinidia arguta. Its foliage, which 

 is of a beautiful dark green color with reddish mid- 

 ribs, seems to be practically free from diseases. It 

 is a very vigorous grower and will .cover a trellis 

 20 feet long and 10 feet high in two or three years. 

 The vine, at least in Maryland, does not flower free- 

 ly until 6 or 8 years old and very few fruits set 

 even when the bloom is abundant. The flowers are at- 

 tractive, with thin white petals and dark-colored sta- 

 mens, and have a faint fragrance. The flavor of the 

 fruits is very sweet and pleasant, reminding one of 

 figs. They are about the size of damson plums, have 

 very thin skins, and are filled with extremely small 

 seeds. The selection of good fruiting strains of 

 Aetinidia would be a most interesting piece of work. 

 (Adapted from an article by Mr. David Fairchild, in 

 Miscellaneous Papers, Giro. No. 110, Dept. of Agri- 

 culture. ) 



Herberts wilsonae x aggregata (Berberidaceae) , 45477. 

 Hybrid barberry. From Bell, Maryland. Presented by Dr. 

 W. Van Fleet, of this Bureau. "Hybrids of Berberis 

 wilsonae and B. aggregata grown from seeds secured by 

 pollination under glass in May, 1914. Both species 

 are late bloomers when grown outside. B. aggregata, the 

 pollen parent, is an upright grower with larger foli- 

 age than B. wilsonae and 'very showy flower clusters. 

 The hybrids , however , are even more spreading in growth 

 than B. wilsonae with very thickset foliage that turns 

 deep purple at the approach of frost and holds on 

 until midwinter. All the hybrids are quite uniform 

 in appearance and are very handsome and hardy. Flowers 

 and fruits have not yet appeared on these seedlings." 

 (Van Fleet. ) 



Brassica pekinensis (Brassicaceae) , 45252. Pai ts'ai. 

 From China. Presented by Dr. Yamei Kin, Peking, China. 

 "Yu ts'ai. Light variety, from Yuyao, Chekiang, China." 

 (Kin.) "Said to be a very rapid grower, coming to ma- 

 turity in four weeks, or at most not more than six 

 weeks, from the time of germination. It is especial- 

 ly prized for its sweet 'buttery' flavor which I have 



