﻿I.nventory 57, Seeds and Plants Imported. 



Plate I 



A Flowering Branch of the Japanese Apricot. (Prunus mume Sieb. 

 and Zucc, S. P. I. No. 46694.) 



The flowering mume of Japan, often called erroneously the " flowering plum," is a distinct oriental 

 species of apricot. It is considered by many Japanese artists more beautiful even than the 

 flowering cherry, having a picturesque quality in its branching habit which makes it pecul- 

 iarly adapted for portrayal on screens, etc. It flowers very early, and its fragrant blooms are 

 often caught by late snowfalls. Its fruits are extremely acid and are pickled in Japan and 

 candied in China. They form an important part of trie Japanese soldier's ration and when 

 served with meats are an appetizing relish. The tree is hardy, appears to be resistant to 

 crown-gall and to the American peach borer, and deserves study* as a stock. (Photographed, 

 somewhat enlarged, by E. L. Crandall at Dr. Fairchild's place, ''In the Woods," North Chew 

 Chase, Md., March 26, 1921; P26S81FS.) 



