1269 



so. The yellow or greenish fruit is usually smaller 

 than the fruit of P. armeniaca, and the dry flesh ad- 

 heres to the pitted stone. The tree is a native of 

 Chosen and perhaps of China. It is very valuable as 

 an ornamental, and the double-flowered form was in- 

 troduced into Europe from Japan in 1878. In late years 

 it has been imported from Japanese nurseries in quan- 

 tity, and in various forms such as the white, double- 

 white, double-rose, and weeping. The double-flowered 

 form is especially valuable in gardens for its early 

 profuse blooming, being in flower about the same time 

 as the almond, and being, when at its best, almost as 

 beautiful. The fruit is about an inch in diameter, 

 and is used in Japan as a pickle. The fruits are picked 

 just before they are ripe, and soaked in water for 

 24 hours; then they are mixed with salt and the leaves 

 of the red-leaved variety of Perilla nankinensis and allowed 

 to stand a week or less depending on the temperature. 

 After this the fruits are spread in the sun to dry, 

 and while drying are sprinkled ' with the juice of the 

 Perilla leaves. After 3 to 5 days they are put up in 

 weak brine, and will keep indefinitely. The pickled 

 fruit is exceedingly sour, and often forms a part of 

 the Japanese soldiers' ration. For best results the 

 tree should be grown in a shady place. There are hun- 

 dreds of distinct varieties grown in Japan for both 

 flowers and fruit. This importation however is of 

 seeds for trial as a stock, there being a possibility 

 that it may prove resistant to crown gall. (Adapted 

 from Bailey, Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture; Bean, 

 Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles; and F.N. 

 Meyer, Agricultural Explorer for this Department.) 



Pterogyne nitens (Caesalplniaceae) , 45485. Ybyra ro. 

 From Porto Murtinho, Matto Grosso, Brazil. Presented 

 by Mr. C. F. Mead. "In many ways, this timber is the 

 most useful found hereabouts, especially for hulls of 

 boats, coach work, etc. You have no timber at all 

 like it. "(Mead.) A tall, stout, unarmed tree, abun- 

 dant in parts of Argentina and Brazil. The wood is 

 very strong and resistant, and is used in the construc- 

 tion of carts, excepting the spokes. It is considered 

 an excellent wood in Missiones whence it is exported. 

 It is also highly valued in Salta, and is used in 

 coach making. (Adapted from S. Venturi, Contribucion 

 al Conocimiento de los Arboles de la Argentina.) 



