JANUARY 1 TO MARCH 31, 1909. 25 



24585 and 24586. Vicia spp. 



From Erfurt, Germany. Purchased from Haage & Schmidt, at the request 

 of Mr. C. V. Piper. Received January 13, 1909. 

 Seeds of the following: 



24585. Vicia biennis L. (?) Woolly-pod vetch. 

 "This vetch is in most respects very similar to hairy vetch, being nearly, if 



not quite, as hardy and maturing much earlier." (Piper.) 



24586. Vicia disperma DC. (?) Two-seeded vetch. 

 "A slender-stemmed erect-growing vetch which has done remarkably well 



in most of the vetch-growing regions. The stems are very fine and the yield 

 of hay therefore comparatively light, but there is reason to believe that it will 

 maintain itself from year to year in pastures without reseeding." (Piper.) 



24587. Atalantia hindsii (Champ.) Oliver. 



From Hongkong, China. Presented by Mr. S. T. Dunn, superintendent, Botanical 

 and Forestry Department. Received January 14, 1909. 

 Seeds of a shrub with compressed branchlets, ovate-elliptical leathery leaves, 1^ to 3 

 inches long, bearing small flowers in axillary clusters, followed by small orange- 

 colored fruits. For citrus breeding experiments. 

 Distribution. — Found on the wooded hills in the vicinity of Hongkong, China. 



24588. Passiflora sp. 



From C. Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. Presented by Mr. Elmer Stearns, botanist, 

 School of Agriculture, through Mr. Frederic Chisolm. Received January 15, 

 1909. 



Seeds. 



"Fruits about the size of a goose egg and orange-yellow when ripe." (Stearns.) 



24589. Elaeis melanococca Gaertn. 



From Cartagena, Colombia, South America. Presented by Mr. Isaac A. Manning, 



United States consul. Received January 15, 1909. 



Seeds of a palm whose stem creeps along the ground and bears a tuft of large pinnate 



leaves with strong prickly stalks. The flowers are borne in a large head, consisting of 



numerous little branches bearing minute flowers. The fruits are bright red ; the seeds 



are black. 



Distribution. — A native of the primeval woods along the upper branches of the 

 Amazon in the provinces of Para and Rio Negro, Brazil. 



24590. Cytisus proliferus Linn. f. Tagasaste. 



From Teneriffe, Canary Islands. Received from Mr. C. H. Hamilton, through 

 Mr. J. B. Blandy, Funchal, Madeira, January 16, 1909. 

 "Fodder shrub for light, dry soil; finally grows to 20 feet high, deep rooted, rather 

 intolerant to frost and drought." (Dyer.) 



"Mr. Hardy, of Adelaide, recommends it as quickly growing for a wind-break. 

 Requires to be periodically cut back, as it otherwise gets too hard for fodder. Very 

 valuable also for apiarists, as flowering during several months, and here during the cool 

 season. In some places it was found that horses and cattle dislike this plant as nutri- 

 ment. It grows quickly again when cut." (Von Mueller.) For previous introduc- 

 tions, see S. P. I. Nos. 2153, 4021, and 7696. 

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