1243 



wild, attains a size and shape comparable to that of 

 our best cultivated varieties, and to my mind has a 

 better flavor than any of them. It may be found In 

 abundance in the subtropical zone at an elevation of 

 6,000 to 8,000 feet; or, to be more definite, at a 

 posada (dwelling house) about one hour below El Pin- 

 yon, toward Fusagasuga, known as El Roble. The rain- 

 fall is high here, for the entire Temperate Zone Is 

 included in the area of condensation. We worked at 

 this locality during the first part of April, when the 

 blackberry crop had not reached full maturity. I 

 should say that, provided similar conditions prevail 

 in other years, April 15 would be about the proper 

 time to find the plants in fruit." (F. M. Chapman.) 



Soja max (Fabaceae), 45289. Soy bean. From China. 

 Collected by Mr. Frank N. Meyer, Agricultural Explorer 

 for this Department. "(No. 2421a. Changsha, Hunan, 

 China. May 12, 1917.) A peculiar variety of soy bean, 

 of dull brown color, said to ripen very late. Locally 

 much eaten when roasted, with salt sprinkled over, 

 like salted peanuts. Very nourishing and appetizing. 

 Well worth introducing to the American public as a 

 new wholesome and nourishing sweetmeat. Chinese name 

 Ch'a hua tou (Za hua doh), meaning 'Tea flower bean'." 

 (Meyer. ) 



Vaeeinium retieulatum (Vacciniaceae) , 45245. From 

 Honolulu, Hawaii. Presented by Mr. Joseph F. Rock, 

 Botanist, College of Hawaii. "Seeds of Vaeeinium retie- 

 ulatum, a species which grows up to an altitude of 

 10,000 feet on the big islands (Maul and Hawaii). It 

 is the well-known Ohelo of the natives and is eaten 

 and used similarly to your eastern Vaeeinium." (Rock.) 

 A low erect shrub, 1 to 2 feet high, the stiff crowded 

 branches angular and densely foliose; leaves cori- 

 aceous; flowers solitary; berry globose, 1/3 to 1/2 

 inch in diameter, pale rose or yellow, covered with a 

 waxy bloom. Found in the high mountains of Hawaii and 

 Eastern Maul from about 4,000 up to 8,000 feet, where 

 it grows gregariously, often covering large tracts of 

 open ground. The shining fleshy berry, the Ohelo, is 

 the principal food of the wild mountain goose. Al- 

 though astringent it is not unpleasant to the taste, 

 and makes a good preserve. (Adapted from Hildebrand, 

 Flora of the Hawaiian Islands, p. 271.) 



