1309 



Gleditsia sinensis (Caesalpinlaceae) , 45803. Locust. 

 From Yi Hsien, Shantung, China. Presented by Rev. R. 

 G. Coonradt. A tree up to 60 feet in height with a 

 trunk girth of 3 to 9 feet, found in the dry valleys 

 of western Szechuan at altitudes ranging from 3,000 

 to 5,000 feet. It grows to a very large size, with a 

 massive bole clean of branches for from 9 to 30 feet 

 from the ground, and a wide-spreading head of thick 

 branches. The bark is quite smooth and pale grey in 

 color. In degree of spinescence the trees vary con- 

 siderably and some are quite thornless. The wood is 

 nearly white and of little value, but the flattened 

 pods are rich in saponin and are valued as a substi- 

 tute for soap, and are also used in the process of 

 tanning hides. (Adapted from Sargent, Plantae Wilson- 

 ianae, vol. 2, p. 91. ) 



Primus glandulosa (Amygdalaceae) , 45944. Plum. From 

 China. Collected by Mr. Frank N. Meyer, Agricultural 

 Explorer for this Department. "(No. 1301. Ichang, 

 China. December 30, 1917.) A shrubby, flowering plum 

 growing to a height of from 3 to 5 feet. It can be 

 trained to one stem but naturally grows into a dense- 

 ly-branched bush. It bears masses of double, rose- 

 colored flowers in May and is a fine little shrub for 

 borders and near door entrances in those regions where 

 it is perfectly hardy. Obtained from the garden of the 

 Customs Compound." (Meyer.) 



Pyrus sp. (Malaceae), 45834. Pear. From Manchuria. 

 Collected by Prof. F. G. Reimer, Superintendent, 

 Southern Oregon Experiment Station, Talent. "No. 46. 

 Pin li, or Ping li. Very similar to small Suan li, (S. P. I. 

 Nos. 45846 & 45847). These seeds were obtained from 

 fruit grown near the Chien Shan mountains, near Li- 

 shan, Manchuria. This is a very popular cultivated 

 variety in the Chien Shan region, and seems to be well 

 adapted to the conditions there. The fruit is small, 

 varying from l to 1| inches in diameter, roundish or 

 slightly flattened in shape, and greenish yellow in 

 color, with often a blush on one side. It ripens dur- 

 ing September and possesses a very agreeable and re- 

 freshing tart flavor. This variety undoubtedly has 

 been derived from P. ussuriensis, as it resembles that 

 species in tree, leaf and fruit characters. While the 

 fruit has the tartness of that species, it is of very 

 much better flavor, and the flesh is softer than in 

 the wild form. The calyx is always persistent, open 



