﻿22 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPOKTED. 



45020 to 45022— Continued. 



slightly hardy and may be found sufficiently so to be grown outdoors in 

 southern California and Florida. 



" The palm grows to a height of 15 to 25 feet, more commonly the 

 former than the latter. The trunk is slender, erect, and about 2 inches 

 thick. The leaves are 3 to 6 feet long, with 18 to 24 pairs of pinnae 

 subopposite toward the base of the rachis, often becoming alternate 

 farther up. The lowermost pinnae are narrow and not over 8 or 10 

 inches long; farther up they become IS or 20 inches long and nearly 

 2 inches wide. In general, the foliage, of this palm suggests that of 

 the well-known Areea, lutescens (properly Clirysalidocarpus lutescens) 

 of northern conservatories. It is graceful, of rich green color, and in 

 every way pleasing. 



" The inflorescences appear from October to May, a few coming at 

 other seasons of the year. They appear along the trunk a short distance 

 beneath the lowermost leaves. Before the spathes burst and the flowers 

 appear, these buds, which are 8 to 12 inches in length, are cut for use. 

 The part which, is eaten is the tender, white, much-branched inflo- 

 rescence within the spathe. Its preparation for the table consists in 

 dipping it in a batter made of eggs and then frying it; in enveloping 

 it in an omelet ; in boiling it and serving it as a vegetable ; or in mixing 

 it with other vegetables to form a salad. When very young and tender 

 its flavor is most agreeable. When the buds are nearly ready to burst, 

 the inflorescence frequently has a bitter taste, which is objectionable 

 to some people, though much liked by others. 



" This palm grows on a variety of soils, seeming to do well on clay 

 and also on black sandy loam. It is frequently planted in gardens 

 among coffee bushes, and in some sections it is planted beneath the 

 shade of large trees. It may be necessary to supply shade for the plant 

 in regions such as southern California. If so, this can be easily done 

 by means of a lath or slat house. 



" As an article of food the pacaya is much used in Guatemala and 

 by local standards commands a good price, single inflorescences selling 

 commonly at five or six for a peso (2\ cents) in the regions where they 

 are grown. The leaves are widely used for decorative purposes, being 

 cut to adorn houses during the many fiestas which take place in this 

 country." 



45023. Solanum tuberosum L. Solanacese. Potato. 

 From Honolulu, Hawaii. Tubers presented by Mr. J. M. Westgate, agron- 

 omist in charge, Hawaii Agricultural Experiment Station. Received 

 July 24, 1917. 



Portuguese Red. These were submitted by Mr. J. B. Thompson, superinten- 

 dent of the Glenwood Experiment Station, Hawaii. They are important be- 

 cause they are remarkably immune to the diseases (late-blight, wilt, etc.) which 

 affect the ordinary potato." (Westgate.) 



45024. Kibes speciosum Pursh. Grossulariacese. Gooseberry. 



From Los Angeles, Calif. Presented by Mr. P. D. Barnhart. Numbered 

 August 2, 1917. 

 " The books say that this is evergreen, but this is not true, for no matter 

 how much water may be applied to it during the rainless season, it sheds its 

 leaves and becomes dormant. As soon as the rains set in it springs into life, 

 the rich, dark-green foliage appearing as though it were varnished. The new 

 growth is bright red, thickly beset with spines of the same color. The brilliant 



