﻿46 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



45941 to 45951— Continued. 



but grows naturally into a densely branched bush. It bears masses of 

 double rose-colored flowers in May and is a fine little shrub for borders 

 and near door entrances in those regions where it is perfectly hardy. 

 Obtained from the garden of the Customs Compound." 



45945. Citrus ichangensis Swingle. Rutacea?. Ichang lemon. 

 "(No. 2455a. Santsako, Hupeh, China. November 24, 1917.) A very 



spiny wild tree, found in a field on a mountain slope at an altitude of 

 about 4,000 feet above sea level. Height 18 feet; foliage dense, but in- 

 dividual leaves small; winged petioles quite minute. Fruits fairly juicy, 

 the size and shape of tangerines; rind of bright-yellow color and corru- 

 gated, but not excessively so; odor very pleasing. Seeds large but not 

 very numerous. In regions where this wild Ichang lemon occurs one 

 also finds coir palm, loquats, bamboos, large-leaved evergreen privets, 

 and Cunninghamva, lanceolata. Temperatures probably never go lower 

 than 10° F. The local name of this wild lemon was given me as Chii gem 

 tze, meaning ' maggot orange,' since maggots are said to be attracted by 

 the very sour juice. No other cultivated citrus fruits occurred near-by, 

 though a few hundred feet lower down several large pummelo trees 

 were seen. The natives have little use for the fruit; they keep a few 

 in the room to perfume the air, and occasionally they use the dried rind 

 in a medicinal tea. In breeding experiments it may be of value, since it 

 seems to be the hardiest of all the true species of citrus (Poncirus tri- 

 foliata not being a true citrus)." 



45946. Actixidia chinensis Planch. Dilleniacese. Yang-tao. 

 "(No. 2456a. Near Lungtoping, Hupeh, China. November 23, 1917.) 



A variety of yang-tao bearing smooth fruits of various sizes ranging from 

 that of a gooseberry to a good-sized plum. It possesses a good flavor, 

 though setting one's teeth on edge, as does the use of nonselect pineapples 

 and some wild blueberries. This fruit really is of high promise for the 

 United States and especially so for the mild-wintered sections. It should 

 preferably be grown as an arbor vine. In its native habitat one finds it 

 bearing most heavily when climbing over low scrub and rocks on northeast 

 exposures, where the plants are subjected occasionally to strong twisting 

 winds, which seem to check their tendency to excessive vegetative growth. 

 Where this yang-tao occurs one also finds around the farmsteads coir 

 palms, loquats, bamboo clumps, tea plants, tung-oil trees, etc. The fruits 

 when properly handled keep fresh for a long time; they ship and keep 

 especially well after having been subjected to a slight frost. As to their 

 uses, they can be eaten out of hand or as a dessert when skinned, sliced, 

 and sprinkled over with sugar ; excellent preserves can also be made from 

 them. The Chinese, with their extensive vegetable diet and their ab- 

 horrence of sour fruits, do not care for this fruit and let it waste mostly : 

 Caucasians, however, seem universally to enjoy highly this unique berry, 

 which combines the flavor of the gooseberry, strawberry, pineapple, guava, 

 and rhubarb. Possibly in some of the Southern States new industries 

 could be built up by cultivating this fruit for the northern city markets. 

 The meaning of yang-tao is ' male peach,' which is as inappropriate as 

 our name pineapple is for the ananas." 



45947 and 45948. Castanea mollissima Blume. Fagacese. Chestnut. 



45947. "(No. 2457a. Ichang, Hupeh, China. December, 1917.) Ta 



pan li tze (large board oak seeds), a classical name for the chest- 



