146 SEEDS AM> PLANTS IMPORTED. 



21252. Ctperus tegetiformis. Matting sedge. 



From Beppu, Kiushiu Island. Japan. Received through Mr. John II. Tail, 

 special agent, at the riant Introduction Garden, Chico, Cal., January I, 

 1907. 



"A semiaquatic perennial *-<\^' found wild in warmer parts of the Temperate 

 Zone In Asia. 



" In south middle china and In the Island of Kiushiu, Japan, it is cultivated 

 for its long si. 'ins. of which dlfferenl grades of matting are made. 



"The plants are grown in the low paddy Qelds where rice is grown and are 

 generally grown In several inches of water, though by planting the roots In low 

 oioisl land and heavily mulching them with rice straw to preserve moisture and 

 prevent the weeds from crowding them oul a very successful crop can be pro- 

 duced. These roots are preserved the same as the J uncus effusus rents, by sav- 

 ing them from the last year's crop, and when ready t<> plant are divided Into 

 small clumps, each chimp containing several 'eyes.' 



"They are planted about r> Inches apart each way and are then flooded with 

 water to a beighl of all. .lit 2 inches. The fertilizer is put .hi very heavy, being 

 divided into several applications during the growing season. 



•• In all. -lit live months after planting the stems are reads '" harvest, being at 

 that time from I t" ''• le.-t high. These stems are harvested green by hand with 

 a sickle and tied int.. bundles. In tl vening the family all gel hnsy and these 



stems are all split longitudinally several times hv drawing through them a taut. 

 tine v\ ire. 



"After splitting' they are exposed three BUCCeSSlve .lavs to the hot sunshine, 

 Which cllles th. -ill. 



"They an- then cm to the proper length, 3j feet, for weaving matting a yard 



Wide. 



"About '."' large boxes of these roots were collected near Beppu, Bungo prov- 

 ince, Kiushiu. Japan. They were packed aboul November 15 ami shipped via 



l. ..th tram and boat t" Nagasaki, ami then t.i San Francisco. 



• it was cstimai.il that aboul 80,000 roots were alive on January 8, 1907, 

 when unpacked, Put by making smaller divisions many more plants could have 

 I. .-en produced, as they are multiplied i.y rool division." (Tull.) 



21253. Pybus sinensis. Pear. 



From Peking, China. Received through Mr. Frank N. Meyer, agricultural 



explorer, at the riant Introduction Garden, chico, Cal., February 20, 



1906. 



"(No. '.''.'a. i Seeds of the most remarkable pear of North China. Looks anil 



smells like a quince, hut has melting meat ami tastes very good. Chinese name 



Th kvoam //." I w> //< /■. i 



21254. Pybus sinensis. Pear. 

 From China. Received through .Mr. Frank X. Meyer, agricultural explorer, 



at the riant introduction Garden, chic,,. Cal., February 20, 1906. 



"(No. 127a.) Tear s is from everywhere, in all probability some interest- 

 ing' varieties will appear from these seeds." {Meyer.) 



21255. Nandina domestica. 



From Hanchau, China. Received through Mr. Frank X. Meyer, at the 



Plant Introduction Garden, Chico. Cal., April 22, 1906. 



"(No. 224a, Mar. ."".. 1906.) Seeds of 'heavenly bamboo.' An evergreen shrub 



bearing bunches of beautiful scarlet-colored berries in winter. The Chinese use 



the stalks with berries for house decoration at the Chinese Xew Year, for which 



purpose they are splendidly adapted." {Meyer.) 



21256. Callistephus hortexsis. China aster. 

 From Wu-tai-shan, Shansi, China. Received through Mr. Frank N. Meyer, 



agricultural explorer, at the Plant Introduction Garden Chico, Cal., 

 April 22, 1907. 

 "(No. 725a.) Seeds of an annual flower called Hsi hua. Obtained from a 

 priest at the Ta Yuen Sze temple at Wu-tai-shan." (Meyer.) 

 132 



