JULY;, 1906, TO DECEMBER, 1907. 131 



20989. Zizyphus spina-christt. Jujube, or Christ' s-thorn. 



From Assiut, Egypt. Presented by Mr. Thomas W. Brown, secretary, La 

 Societe Horticole Commerciale, Cairo, May 14, 1907. 



"A large edible-fruited variety of this species." (Brown.) 



20990. Carex triangularis. Sedge. 

 From Rosenberg, Tex. Received through Mr. John H. Tull, special agent 



in charge of matting-rush investigations, United States Department of 

 Agriculture, May 11, 1907. 



"A sample of this sedge was discovered by Mr. R. H. Sawyer, of Maiden, 

 Mass., April IS, 1907, near the railroad station at Rosenberg, Tex. As it turns 

 out to be a very promising species, his account of its discovery is worthy of 

 record : During a delay caused by a breakdown on the railroad, as Mr. Sawyer 

 was returning from Japan, where he had been in search of Japanese sedge and 

 rush plants, he got out to explore the ditches and wet places for sedges and 

 rushes, and this angular species attracted his attention. He gathered a few 

 heads and collected a few plants, which he afterwards wove in his mills. Dis- 

 covering that it was a native species occurring throughout Texas and Oklahoma 

 and finding on weaving it that it was a specially promising variety, he requested 

 that seeds be gathered in quantity. Mr. Tull was sent to Rosenberg, Tex., and 

 collected the seed which forms the subject of this inventory description." 

 (Fairchild.) 



20991 to 21000. Dioscorea sp. Yam. 



From Moamoa, Apia, Samoa. Presented by Brother Philippe, Marist 



Brothers' Agricultural College, through Mr. O. W. Barrett, May 14, 1907. 



Samoan names accompanied the plants, as follows: 



20991. 



Ufl vao. 



20992. 



Calai. 



20993. 



Laupalai. 



20994. 



Tamuni. 



20995. 



Asoasoulumoa. 



20996. 



Asoaso. 



20997. 



Gu. 



20998. 



Aumaile. 



20999. 



Toll. 



21000. 



Fakasoa. 



21001. Pyrds sinensis. Pear. 

 From Yokohama, Japan. Presented by the Yokohama Nursery Company 



(Limited). Received May 15, 1907. 



" This pear seed was obtained at Heijo, some 150 miles by rail west of Seoul, 

 Korea. The trees in the wild form are 20 feet high, and the trunks measure 

 over 2 feet in diameter at the base. They spread out like the oak tree." (Yoko- 

 hama Nursery Company.) 



21002. Bambdsa tulda. Bamboo. 

 From Sibpur, Calcutta. Presented by Mr. A. T. Gage, superintendent, 



Royal Botanic Garden, May 16, 1907. 



"Habitat. — This is the common bamboo of Bengal, where it grows in great 

 abundance everywhere, flowering in May. ' Not uncommon in the deciduous 

 forests of Pegu, generally occupying lower and moister stretches of ground in 

 company with tinwa (Cephalostachyum pergracile) , the dry hills surrounding 

 being covered with Dendrocalamus strictus.'' (Brandts.) 



" ' Fiber. — Largely used for mats, baskets, fans, and window blinds. This is, 

 in fact, one of the most useful plants in Bengal. 



" ' Food. — The young shoots are pickled when only about two feet high. 

 They are tender.' (Roxburgh.) 



" ' Structure of the wood. — The wood is strong, and the halms are used for 

 roofing, scaffolding, mats, and other purposes.' (Gamble.) 



" Found more durable if soaked in water previous to being used. This is 

 regarded in Bengal as one of the best quality of bamboos. Both Roxburgh and 

 Yoigt mention several varieties. The following extract will be found to give 

 the more important forms: ' Fowa bans (piabansh?) of the Bengalis is only a 

 large variety of this species, and used chiefly for scaffolding and building the 

 larger and better sorts of houses of the natives. It differs from tulda proper 

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