﻿16 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



39719. Diospyeos ebenaster Retz. Diospyraceae. Black sapote. 

 From Santa Fe, Isle of Pines. Presented by Mr. H. S. Jones. Received 



January 4, 1915. 

 " From fine ripe fruits from 2* to 3 inches in diameter. The fruits are just 

 beginning to ripen (December 28) and will last until about the middle of 

 February." (Jones.) 



"The sapote prieto or sapote negro (black sapote) of Mexico, an interesting 

 fruit belonging to the persimmon family. The tree grows in compact, shapely 

 form and is of very ornamental appearance with its oblong-oval, glossy leaves 

 about 4 inches long. In appearance the fruits greatly resemble some varieties 

 of the kaki or Japan persimmon ; in place of being bright orange, however, they 

 are light green when ripe, and measure 1\ to 3 or even 4 inches in diameter. 

 In shape they are oblate or distinctly flattened and the persistent, light-green 

 calyx is quite prominent. 



" The interior of the fruit, when ripe, is anything but attractive in appear- 

 ance, the flesh being dark brown or almost black in color, and of a greasy con- 

 sistency. The flavor is sweet, but rather lacking in character ; for this reason 

 the Mexicans frequently serve the fruit cut up, or mashed up, with orange juice; 

 it is a first-rate dish. The seeds look like those of the persimmon and are not 

 very numerous. 



"According to Mr. Jones, the fruit ripens in the Isle of Pines from the last 

 part of December to the middle of February. The tree is rare outside of cer- 

 tain parts of Mexico, but has done well at Mr. Jones's place. It seems worthy 

 of much wider dissemination throughout the Tropics. Types from the cooler 

 parts of Mexico have withstood a little frost in southern California, yet the tree 

 can not be considered very hardy." (Wilson Popenoe.) 



For previous introductions, see S. P. I. Nos. 24600 and 39698. 



39720. Cocos nucifera L. Phoenicacese. Coconut. 



From Panama. Secured by Mr. H. Pittier, of the Bureau of Plant Industry. 

 Received January 4, 1915. 

 " This shipment may contain specimens of the Burica, San Bias, which the 

 natives call coco de cucliilla, and possibly specimens of the Montiosa variety." 

 (Pittier.) 



39721. Castaxea mollissima Blume. Fagaceae. Chestnut. 



From Tientsin, China. Procured through Mr. Samuel S. Knabenshue, 

 American consul general. Received May 14, 1914. 



39722. Capsicum anntjtjm L. Solanacese. Red pepper. 

 From Budapest, Hungary. Presented by the American consul. 



39723. Quercus insignis Martens and Galleotti. Fagacea?. Oak. 

 From Zacuapam, Vera Cruz, Mexico. Purchased from Dr. C. A. Purpus. 



Received January 7, 1915. 

 " These acorns were sent to me by a friend, Sefior Guillermo Ziche, from 

 Huatusco, and were collected in the Sierras west of town at about 1,500 to 1.600 

 feet altitude. I am sure you will be able to grow the oaks in the southern part 

 of Florida, where the palms (Roystonea (Oreodoxa) regia) grow. They need a 

 moist climate or subtropical forests to do well." (Purpus.) 



