﻿30 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



tivated. They are fit for market when the young sprouts begin to break 

 through the surface of the soil. The roots, being perennial, can be used over 

 and over again for two to three years after the stalks are cut off, but, as 

 the roots are also edible, it is usual to dig up the whole plant ; moreover, the 

 young stalks keep better with the roots on. 



" In cold regions, like Hokkaido or northern Hondo, the roots must be well 

 covered with earth in winter. The seeds collected from 1-year-old plants are 

 considered to be worthless, as they give rise to plants which run to flowering 

 shoots the first year. Properly, the seed should be collected from 2-year-old 

 plants. The seed keeps its vitality for three years. Twenty pounds are re- 

 quired per acre. The average crop of last two seasons realized about $200 per 

 acre in Japan. 



"As to soil, loam with plenty of moisture is preferable, but light black soil 

 or any other light soil, provided the ground is not too dry, serves very well. 



"Cooking methods: (1) The green leaves and stalks are eaten raw, with 

 vinegar and sauce as a salad ; also they are used as an ingredient in soups, 

 imparting a good flavor. (2) The young blanched stalk is eaten raw like 

 celery ; or, after boiling, is eaten like asparagus, with sauce. Either way it 

 is edible, skin and all. (3) The roots, after the young blanched stalks are cut 

 off, are chopped into pieces about 1^ inches long and parched in a pan with 

 lard or butter until they get quite tender; then sugar and soy is added ac- 

 cording to taste. There are several other methods of cooking, but the above 

 will be found the most suitable for the foreign palate." 



Received as Cryptotaenia japonica. 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 45247. 



46138. Hibiscus macrophyllus Eoxb. Malvaceae. 



From Cairo, Egypt. Presented by the director, Horticultural Section, 

 Gizeh Branch, Ministry of Agriculture. Received June 22, 1918. 

 A tree or shrub of eastern Bengal and the Eastern Peninsula, the bark of 

 which yields a strong cordage fiber valued by the Burmans. (Adapted from 

 Watt, Dictionary of the Economic Products of India, vol. 4, P- 242.) 



46139. Citrus sp. Eutacese. 



From Ichang, Hupeh, China. Collected by Mr. Frank N. Meyer, Agricul- 

 tural Explorer for the Department of Agriculture. Received February 

 25, 1918. 

 The fruit was decomposed and the label accompanying it illegible. 



46140. Cassia grandis L. f. Csesalpiniacese. 



From Cairo, Egypt. Presented by the director, Horticultural Section, 

 Gizeh Branch, Ministry of Agriculture. Received June 25, 1918. 



"A small wing-leaved tree of the legume family, producing an abundance of 

 yellow flowers native to the East Indies and now common in most tropical 

 countries. It produces a smooth cylindrical pod twice the thickness of the 

 finger and sometimes 2 feet in length. The interior is divided into numerous 

 transverse portions, each containing a seed embedded in pulp of a sweet taste, 

 which forms an important laxative medicine. The leaves, as also those of 

 C. alata, are used as a cure for ringworm." (Smith, Dictionary of Popular 

 Names of Economic Plants.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 33781. 



