﻿72 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



45623. Phaseoltjs coccineus L. Fabacese. Scarlet Runner bean. 



From Deming, N. Mex. Seeds presented by Miss Ruth I. Grover. Received 

 December 27, 1917. 

 "These beans were found in an old Aztec Indian grave in old Mexico in 

 1916. They are of the bush variety and I believe very hardy if irrigated." 

 (Miss Grover.) 



A bean with a twining stem which, if supported, will rise to a height of 14 

 feet. The leaves are smaller than those of the common kidney bean, and the 

 flowers, which are in long spikes and of a deep scarlet color, are larger. The 

 pods are large and rough, and the seeds are purple marked with black, 

 although sometimes pure white. This bean was formerly cultivated for its 

 flowers only, and was first mentioned as being edible by the gardener, Philip 

 Miller. (Adapted from Miller, Gardeners' and Botanists' Dictionary, 9th ed.) 



This is a white-seeded form. 



45624. Litchi chinensis Sonner. Sapindaeese. Lychee. 

 (Nephelium litchi Cambess.) 



From Canton, China. Purchased from Mr. C. O. Levine, Agricultural De- 

 partment, Canton Christian College. Received December 11, 1917. 



" Cuttings from trees of variety Wai Chie growing on the college campus." 

 (Levine.) 



45625 to 45658. Ziziphus Mauritian a Lam. Rhamnacese. 

 (Z. jujuoa Lam. not Mill.) 



From Port Louis, Mauritius. Seeds presented by Mr. G. Regnard. Re- 

 ceived December 19, 1917. 



Thirty-four varieties received. The following is an extract from a letter 

 from Mr. Regnard : 



" If the Ziziphus trees are not cultivated in the strict sense of the word, they 

 are to be found in large numbers in the villages inhabited by Indians and 

 Africans in the warmer localities of the island. The fruits are well appreciated, 

 not only by these people but also by Europeans, and are sold in great quantities 

 in the fruit markets during June, July, and August (the cold season). On 

 having fruits gathered from different trees, I have noticed that there are many 

 varieties, probably more than one hundred, of different size, shape, taste, and 

 color. The fruits on ripening may be green, pink, red, or yellow. The majority 

 is of a certain shade of yellow. When overripe, that is, when the fruit softens, 

 all the fruits have the same uniform yellowish brown color. 



** The fruits are eaten before they become what I call ' overripe,' and except 

 for some varieties have a very good taste. Usually t^hose fruits which have 

 the lower extremity slightly pointed are considered to be the best, but this is 

 not always the case. 



" The tree rarely attains more than 20 feet in height, with a trunk 6 to S 

 inches in diameter. It grows all around the island, from sea level to 500 or 

 600 feet altitude; but it appears, save a few exceptions, that the best prod- 

 ucts are obtained from the regions where the heat is more regular, because they 

 are sheltered from the winds which blow from the southeast during most of 

 the year." 



