JULY, 1906, TO DECEMBEK, 1907. 11 



19104. PoRTULACARIA AFKA. Spek-boOm. 



From Pretoria, Transvaal. Presented by Prof. J. Burtt Davy, of the Trans- 

 vaal Department of Agriculture. Received August 20, 1906. (Professor 

 Davy's No. 87/06.) 

 "A fleshy, round-leaved, scrubby, soft-wooded tree or bush which is recog- 

 nized as a very valuable food plant for sheep, cattle, and even horses. Suc- 

 cessful efforts have been made to grow it in Narnaqualand from cuttings. As 

 these are liable to rot when put in green and nearly severed, they should be 

 spread out for a fortnight to allow the wounds to dry. Where animals are 

 well fed and pampered they sometimes lose taste for this excellent natural food. 

 In the neighborhood of Oudtshoern, on a farm where in the spring of 1895 

 ostriches were dying in hundreds, clumps of spek-boom were within easy reach, 

 but the birds would not touch it, having been accustomed to feed on lucern. 

 Nevertheless, when birds are brought up to eat it, they thrive well and seem 

 fond of it. The spek-boom is a bush which revives rapidly from the injury 

 done by too close browsing by stock if a season's respite be granted to it. 

 When spek-boom and Mesembrianthemum floribundum are present, stock care 

 but little about their daily visits to the water-vlei." (Wallace. Farming In- 

 dustries of Cape Colony, p. 88.) (See also S. P. I. No. 12020.) 



19105. Ilex paraguayensis. 



From Buenos Aires, Argentina. Presented by Hon. Carlos Thays, director, 

 Government Botanical Gardens. Received August 6, 1906. 



Native name Yerba mate. 



19106 to 19110. 



From Sydney, New South Wales. Presented by Hon. W. S. Campbell, 

 director, New South Wales Department of Agriculture. Received August 

 20, 1906. 



19106. Pennisetum spicatum. Pearl millet. 



19107. Andropogon sorghum. Sorghum. 



19108. Andropogon sorghum. Sorghum. 

 Planter. 



19109. Andropogon sorghum. 

 Early Amber Sugar Cane. 



19110. Andropogon sorghum. Kafir corn. 



19111 to 19115. 



From Coronel, Chile. Presented by Mr. Teodoro Finger. Received August 

 20, 1906. 



19111. Acacia cavenia. 



" Spanish name Espino chileno. From central Chile ; grows on very 

 dry ground. Its timber is highly esteemed and considered the best for 

 charcoal." (Finger.) 



"The Espino of the present inhabitants of Chile, the Cavan of the 

 former population. A small tree with exceedingly hard wood, resisting 

 underground moisture. The plant is well adapted for hedges. The husks 

 contain 32 per cent tannin, particularly valuable as dye material." 

 (F. v. Mueller.) 



19112. Embothrium coccineum. Firebush. 



"Araucanian name TS T otra. A large, high bush from the south of Chile ; 

 of great popularity on account of the large bunches of bright scarlet-red 

 blossoms on each branch. The foliage of long, dark-green leaves is also 

 very ornamental. This bush grows with preference in clayish soil and 

 is found in every garden and park as a favorite plant." (Finger.) 



" From Chile to the Straits of Magellan. The Notra (Araucanian) or 

 Ciruelillo (Spanish), a tree of exquisite beauty, but seldom reaching above 

 30 feet in height. The wood is utilized for furniture." (F. v. Mueller.) 

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