47 



3779-3819— Continued. 



earlier) until June the trees bear numerous fragrant flowers. The majority of 

 these fall, and much of the fruit also afterwards perishes, especially if there is 

 copious rain. On this account the Filipinos say that if the harvest of mangoes 

 is good rice will be scarce and vice versa. Also, when mangoes are abundant 

 diseases are many, because of the scarcity of rain. Though very savory, the 

 mango of the Philippines is considered much inferior to some fruits grown in 

 Spain. The recently arrived Spaniards declare that the mangoes have a slight 

 odor of bugs or of onions, but it is in reality that of pitch. It is, nevertheless, 

 the first of the fruits of the country and very healthful. The sap of the mango 

 is caustic. Its leaves, bruised between the fingers, yield a grateful perfume. 

 The leaves, when yellow, are steeped in water and taste like tea. White cloth 

 may be dyed black w r ith the bark of the mango. The roots, steeped in water, 

 yield a straw-color dye, w r hich becomes more pronounced upon the addition of 

 lye. Some, without reason given, believe the fruit of mango to be heating. It 

 certainly induces sleep. The too free use of mangoes is said to cause slight skin 

 eruptions like those that follow the excessive use of oranges and lemons in 

 tropical countries." (Blanco; translated by Mrs. Alice Carter Cook.) 



3820. Sapium biglandulosum. Tolima rubber. 



From Colombia. Presented by Mr. Charles Pitan, through Mr. Pierre Mali, 

 Belgian consul at New York, September, 1899. 



White Virgin Rubber of the Andes. "A new rubber plant from the province of 

 Tolima, Colombia. As this tree grows in the Colombian Andes at an elevation of 

 6,000 to 8,000 feet, it is quite possible that it may be adapted for cultivation in the 

 subtropical zone of the United States; that is, in those States where orange trees will 

 flourish." (Pitau.) 



The Tolima rubber achieved quite a reputation as a first-class article during the 

 few years it was placed on the market. The tree is apparently quite local in its dis- 

 tribution, and the supply was soon exhausted after the discovery that it was the 

 source of a commercial article. The Tolima rubber is said to be equal in value to 

 the best Para rubber from Brazil. Distributed. 



3821 to 3824. Triticum vulgare. Wheat. 



From Budapest, Hungarv. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, September 

 20, 1899. 



This shipment comprises four of the best-known of the Hungarian hard winter 

 wheats. These wheats are the qualities from which the higher grades of flour are 

 made at Budapest. Hungary is about the only European country which exports 

 flour, and therefore comes into competition with America in this commodity. 

 Experts on the stock exchange at Budapest claim that some of the Hungarian hard 

 winter wheats produce a better grade of flour than do the best American wheats. 

 This, however, is doubtful. These varieties are w T orthy of careful trial wherever the 

 winters are mild enough to permit of the growth of winter wheats. Of the varieties 

 included in this shipment the Banat (No. 3822) and Theiss (No. 3823) are the best* 

 known. Both varieties have a large quantity of gluten of a high quality. It is 

 doubtful whether the names applied to Hungarian wheats, such as Theiss and Banat, 

 really represent distinct varieties of wheats. They are rather to be considered as 

 indicating the locality from which the wheat was obtained, and these numbers 

 may consist of a mixture of varieties. They probable differ somewhat in different 

 localities. 



3821. Weissenburg. Distributed. 



3822. Banat. Distributed. 



3823. Theiss. Distributed. 



3824. Pester Boden. Distributed. 



3825. Vicia fulgens. Scarlet vetch. 



From France. Purchased from Vilmorin-Andrieux & Co., Paris, September, 

 1899. 



This new vetch is one of the most promising of the native forage plants of north 

 Africa which have been introduced into culture and tested by Dr. Trabut, govern- 

 ment botanist of Algeria. 



