

JANUARY 1 TO MAECH 31, 1909. 47 



24853 to 24855. 



From Hangchow, Chekiang, China. Presented by Rev. W. S. Sweet. Received 

 March 5, 1909. 

 The following seeds, notes by Mr. Sweet: 



24853. Cannabis sativa L. Hemp. 

 "This is the Stewart hemp grown in Kentucky." 



24854. Corchorus capsularis L. Jute. 



24855. Sesamum orientale L. Sesame. 

 "Used here on cakes for food." 



24856 to 24858. 



From Florence, Italy. Presented by the Comizio Agrario di Firenze, Sezione 

 Consorzio Agrario per l'Acquisito di Materie Utili in Agricoltura, through 

 Mr. Charles J. Brand. Received February 27, 1909. 

 The following seeds: 



24856 and 24857. Onobrychis viciaefolia Scop. (Onobrychis sativa 

 Lam.) Lupinella. 



24856. (P. L. H. No. 3389.) 



24857. (P. L. H. No. 3390.) 

 "Lupinella sgusciata. " 



Distribution. — An herbaceous perennial, native to Europe and extending into 

 Asia. Occasionally used in the southern part of the United States as a forage 

 crop. 



24858. Medicago sativa L. Alfalfa. 



"Herba medica. " (P. L. H. No. 3391.) 



24859. Medicago sativa L. Alfalfa. 



From Bridgeport, Kans. Purchased from Mr. Carl Wheeler. Received March 



6, 1909. 

 Variegated alfalfa, grown in 1908 without irrigation, at Bridgeport, Kans., from a 

 field seeded in 1891 and which since has suffered no deterioration in stand. The 

 field also produced good crops of seed in 1905, 1906, and 1907."' (/. M. Westgate.) 



24876. Alectryon excelsum Gaertn. Titoki. 



From Wellington, New Zealand. Presented by Mr. T. E. Donne, secretary, 

 Department of Industries and Commerce. Received March 8, 1909. 



Seeds. 



"The titoki is a handsome evergreen tree, from 40 to 60 feet high, with a trunk 

 sometimes 3 feet in diameter, but usually smaller. 



"The fruit is both singular and handsome; when ripe it is one-third inch long, 

 and almost woody, with a flattened crest on the upper portion, terminating in a spur- 

 like prominence on one side; when the seed is ripe the fruit vessel becomes rup- 

 tured transversely, but not along any definite line. It is one celled, and contains a 

 single pear-shaped, black seed, which is surrounded by a bright-scarlet, fleshy cup, 

 termed an 'aril,' and has a granulated surface; the fiery scarlet of the aril and the 

 glossy jet-black seed form a pleasing contrast, which is harmonized by the deep- 

 russet pubescence of the fruit vessel. 



"The flowers are produced during the months of November and December; the 

 fruit requires a year to arrive at maturity, so that flowers and ripe fruit may be found 

 on the tree at the same time. 



8805— Bui. 162—09 4 



