SEPTEMBER, 1900, TO DECEMBER, 1903. 263 



9278. Corylus rostrata. Hazelnut. 



From Yokohama, Japan. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild 

 (No. 1050, August, 1902), February 28, 1903. 



Hashibami. "Seeds of this wild species of hazelnut which may prove valuable for 

 breeding purposes. The nut is not highly prized in Japan, and is nowhere given the 

 attention that the hazelnut gets along the Black Sea or in Istria." (Fairchild. ) 



9279. Prunus triflora. Japanese plum. 



From Kobe, Japan. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild (No. 

 973), January 6, 1903. 



Obeni. "Seed, originally from Ikeda, that was bought on the market in Kobe. 

 It is very much like No. 9270. It is evidently one of the favorite market plums of 

 this region. It resembles the American wild-goose plum. The trees are reported 

 to be regular and heavy bearers. " (Fa irchild. ' ' ) 



9280. Juglans cordiformis. Walnut. 



From Yokohama, Japan. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild 

 (No. 1052, August, 1902), January 6, 1903. 



Himegurumi. "A long, pointed walnut which is a narrower and slenderer type 

 than that called in Japan Otafuhi. Probably both seed variations of the same 

 species. ' ' ( Fa irch ild. ) 



9281. Prunus tbiflora. Japanese plum. 



From Kobe, Japan. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild (No. 

 974, July 7, 1902), January 6, 1903. 



Sumomo of Awaji Island. "A delicate variety, like our wild-goose plums in qual- 

 ity. A thin-skinned, juicy, sour-fleshed, bright-red, translucent variety, with small 

 stone, and a slightly bitter taste near the stone." (Fairchild. ) 



9282. Perilla ocymoides. 



From Yokohama, Japan. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild 

 (No. 1054, August, 1902), February 28, 1902. 



' ' Seed of a labiate which is grown extensively in Japan for oil-producing purposes. 

 The oil expressed from the seed is considered the best known for the manufacture of 

 the remarkable oil and leather papers of Japan. It takes the place of linseed, which, 

 I am informed, is not so good for this purpose. The plant can be grown very easily 

 by irrigation or without it in regions where soil is cheap, and there is a possibility 

 that it could be produced cheaply enough to make it a profitable article of export. 

 It should be tried in the irrigated regions of the Southwest. I am informed that 

 Australia imports the oil and the seed also from Japan. In Japan the seed is sown 

 in a nursery bed in the middle of June, and the young plants are transplanted about 

 the 1st of July into rows 2 to 3 feet apart and set 6 inches apart in the row. The ordi- 

 nary methods of cultivation to keep down the weeds are all that are necessary. It is 

 not grown here on irrigated land. The seed ripens in November. In America it 

 could probably be planted earlier and harvested earlier. According to the owner of 

 an oil mill in Yamada, 100 plants of Perilla yield 1 sho = 0.39 gallon of seed, 17 per 

 cent of which by volume is oil. The price of this oil in Japan, as quoted by the oil mill 

 owner, is 45 yen per koku (1 koku = 39.7 gallons; 1 yen = 50 cents). The seeds are 

 likely to fall out of the dry calyx if left until overripe, and I am told the yield is 

 therefore best in wet seasons. The crop is a variable one, and the price therefore 

 quite variable. Land is so valuable in Japan that this crop does not rank as a good 

 paying one, but if grown on cheap land, in Washington State, for example, it might 

 be produced so cheaply as to pay very well. It is worth a trial at least in the Avet 

 regions of Washington. ' ' ( Fairchild. ) 



9283. Ricraus communis. Castor oil bean. 



From Yokohama, Japan. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild 

 (No. 1055, August, 1902), January 7, 1903. 



"For breeding purposes. By request." (Fairchild.) 



