﻿APRIL 1 TO JUNE 30, 1918. 11 



45991 to 45994— Continued. 



45994. Dioscorea bulbifera L. Yam. 



"The aerial tubers of this yam are somewhat better for food than the 

 ground tubers, according to Mr. C. F. Kinman. The flesh is yellow and 

 rather strong flavored, often practically inedible. The aerial tubers are 

 very tough skinned and keep for a long time." 



45995. Astragalus sinicus L. Fabaceae. Genge clover. 



From Yokohama, Japan. Purchased from the Yokohama Nursery Co. 

 Received April 15, 1918. 



Late Giant variety. A field crop very extensively grown for human food 

 and partly as a source of soil nitrogen ; it is closely allied to our alfalfa. Tender 

 tips of the stems are gathered before the stage of blossoming is reached and 

 served as food after boiling or steaming. It is known among foreigners as 

 ' Chinese clover.' The stems are also cooked and then dried for use when the 

 crop is out of season. Wealthy Chinese families pay an extra high price for the 

 tender shoots when picked very young, sometimes as much as 20 to 28 cents 

 per pound in our currency. (Adapted from King, Farmers of Forty Centuries, 

 p. 128.) 



For illustrations of a field of this clover and of a single plant, see Plates III 

 and IV. 



45996. Zea mays L. Poacese. Corn. 



From Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico." Presented by Mr. Carlos Gonzales. Re- 

 ceived April 16, 1918. 

 " Maiz de tiempo, or maiz pepitilla." 

 Introduced for the breeding experiments of the Bureau/ of Plant Industry. 



45997. Persea azorica Seubert. Lauracese. 



From Ponta Delgada, Azores. Presented by the American consul. Re- 

 ceived April 16, 1918. 

 A medium-sized tree found in the forests of all the islands of the Azores, 

 especially in the island of Pico, at altitudes of 1,000 to 2,500 feet. The leaves 

 are oval, with wedge-shaped bases and hairy margins. The fruits are quite 

 small and egg shaped. (Adapted from Seudert, Flora Azorica, p. 29.) 

 For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 43480. 



45998. Erythrina arborescens Eoxb. Fabacese. Coral tree. 



From Cairo, Egypt. Presented by Mr. Thomas W. Brown, director, Horti- 

 cultural Section, Gizeh Branch, Ministry of Agriculture. Received 

 April 19, 1918. 

 A low tree found in northern India, from Kumaon to Sikkim and in the 

 Khasi Hills, up to an altitude of 7,000 feet. The light-green pinnate leaves are 

 made up of three leaflets 5 to 7 inches long and nearly as broad. The racemes 

 of vivid scarlet flowers, sometimes 15 inches long, appear during the hot season 

 while the tree is still leafless. The lanceolate, curved, brownish pubescent 

 pods contain 2 to 10 large dull-black seeds. The wood is white, soft, and 

 light and is used for making boxes and toys. (Adapted from Brandis, Indian 

 Trees, p. 221.) 



