DECEMBER, 1905, TO JULY, 1906. 57 



17842 to 17954— Continued. 



17876. Castanea sativa. Chestnut. 



From Peking. "(No. 33a. ) The largest variety to be found on the markets 

 in Peking; said to have come from Chee-san, near Chang-li. The nuts are 

 roasted with sand and an oily substance which bleaches them, and are re- 

 markably sweet. The trees on which they grow are seedlings." {Meyer. ) 



17877. Castanea sativa. Chestnut. 



From Peking. "(Nor 34a.) The ordinary Chinese chestnut, sold every- 

 where in northern China. They are very small, but make up in sweetness 

 what they lack in size. Are roasted the same as No. 33a (S. P. I. No. 17876), 

 and are said to have come from Chee-san, near Chang-li. The trees I saw 

 there grow in sheltered spots and seem to love a rocky soil." {Meyer. ) 



17878. Quercus sp. Oak. 



From western hills near Peking. "(No. 26a.) A fine oak, resembling a 

 chestnut. The acorns are eagerly collected and used for tanning purposes. 

 Probably not very hardy, as it grows in quite sheltered valleys." {Meyer.) 



17879. Quercus dentata. Oak. 



From Tang-san. "(No. 24a. ) A beautiful, large-leaved oak. The leaves 

 assume gorgeous colors in autumn; a very desirable tree. Grows to medium 

 dimensions." {Meyer.)- 



17880. Zea mays. Corn. 



From Pee-san. "(No. 19a. ) A very fine strain of corn growing in a rather 

 dry part of the country. This is one of the best varieties 1 have seen in 

 northern China. The plants grow about six feet high and have uniformly two 

 ears to each stalk." {Meyer.) 



17881. Zea mays. Corn. 



From Shan-hai-kwan. "(No. 20a.) A white-seeded corn growing on stony 

 soil around Shan-hai-kwan, where it gets quite cold." {Meyer. ) 



17882. Crataegus pinnatifida. Hawthorn. 



From Changdi. "(No. 52a.) The largest variety of Cretaegus pinnatifida. 

 A fine fruit for preserves, and a very ornamental tree; is simply loaded in 

 the fall with red berries and keeps its large, glossy, green leaves till late in 

 autumn. ' ' ( Meyer. ) 



17883. Crataegus pinnatifida. Hawthorn. 



From Chang-li. "(No. 104a.) Fruits of different sizes to show variation." 

 {Meyer. ) 



17884. Dolichos lablab. Hyacinth bean. 



From western hills near Peking. " (No. 96a.) The same as No. 95a (S. P. I. 

 No. 17885), but from a different locality." {Meyer.) 



17885. Dolichos lablab. Hyacinth bean. 



From Hawai-jou. "(No. 95a. ) A bean which is grown around gardens as 

 a windbreak, and at the same time the green beans are used as a vegetable; 

 _ they are somewhat coarse but do not taste at all bad. The plant is a climber 

 'and as such needs supports." {Meyer.) 



17886. ELAEAGNUSSp. 



From Chang-li. "(No. 120a.) A silvery-leaved Elaeagnus which ripens 

 small, red berries in October. Grows from 5 to 6 feet high. Under cultiva- 

 tion it might become denser headed and be an ornamental shrub." {Meyer.) 



17887. Malus sp. Crab apple. 



From Peking. (Not numbered by Meyer.) "A crab apple sold on the 

 streets in Peking. ' ' {Meyer. ) 



106 



