﻿14 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



39707. Alettrites fordii Hemsl. Euphorbiacese. Tung tree. 



From Foley, Ala. Purchased from Mr. J. L. Sebastian. Received January 

 9, 1915. 

 Seed from S. P. I. No. 21013, sent him ir. February, 1908. 



39708. Vanilla sp. Orchidacess. Vanilla. 

 From Tampico, Mexico. Presented by Mr. Thomas H. Bevan. Cutting 



received January 12, 1915. 



39709. Durio zibethinus Murr. Bombacacese. Durian. 

 From Buitenzorg, Java. Presented by the director, Botanic Garden. Re- 

 ceived January 11, 1915. 



See S. P. I. Nos. 28082, 34072, and 37103 for previous introductions. 



"A very large, handsome, pyramid-shaped tree, native of the Malayan Archi- 

 pelago and commonly cultivated in the Straits, Burma, Java, etc., for the sake 

 of its celebrated fruit. The latter is produced on the older branches, varies 

 somewhat from round to oval in shape, and usually weighs from 5 to 7 pounds 

 or more. It is armed with thickly set, formidable prickles about one-half inch 

 long; when ripe it becomes slightly yellow and possesses an odor which is 

 intensely offensive to most people, especially on first acquaintance with it. 

 The cream-colored pulp surrounding the seed is the edible portion ; this is most 

 highly prized by the Malays and other oriental people, and is also relished by 

 Europeans who acquire a taste for it. Firminger describes it as ' resembling 

 blancmange, delicious as the finest cream,' while Mr. Russel Wallace con- 

 sidered that ' eating durians is a sensation worth a voyage to the East.' The 

 large seeds may be roasted and eaten like chestnuts. Pounded into flour they 

 are said to be sometimes made into a substance like ' vegetable ivory.' The 

 durian tree thrives in the moist low country of Ceylon up to 2,000 feet elevation 

 and luxuriates in deep alluvial or loamy soil. In Peradeniya Gardens there 

 are magnificent specimens well over 100 feet in height. They usually flower 

 in March or April, and the fruit is ripe in July or August. Durian fruits are 

 variable in size, shape, flavour, and quantity of pulp, according to variety. 

 The trees also vary in productiveness, some varieties being almost barren. 

 Selection and high cultivation should therefore be practiced in order to obtain 

 the best fruits. The tree is readily propagated by seed if sown fresh ; the 

 seed is of short vitality and germinates in 7 to 8 days." (Macmillan, Handbook 

 of Tropical Gardening and Planting, p. 142.) 



39710. Quercus suber L. Fagacese. Cork oak. 

 From Gibraltar, Spain. Procured through Mr. Richard L. Sprague, Ameri- 

 can consul. Received January 4, 1915. 



" Spanish cork oak acorns gathered in the cork woods near Alpandiere and 

 Gaucin station, Province of Malaga, 45 miles north of Gibraltar. These acorns 

 are of fine quality." (Sprague.) 



See S. P. I. No. 36925 for previous introduction. 



39711. Chenopodium bonus-henricus L. Chenopodiacese. 



Good King 1 Henry. 



From Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England. Purchased from Pennell & Sons. 

 Received January 2, 1915. 

 For experimental use as greens ; not for distribution. 



