﻿JANUARY 1 TO MARCH 31, 1915. 33 



much seed of other desert melons now distributed under the name Tsama 

 that it is often doubtful whether people have the real thing." {Davy.) 



This is the great forage melon of the Kalahari, described by explorers as of 

 considerable value for cattle feed in that region. 



39892. Colocasia antiquorttm Schott. Aracese. Egyptian taro. 



From Cairo, Egypt. Presented by Mr. Thomas W. Brown, Department of 

 Agriculture, Gizeh branch. Tubers received February 20, 1915. 

 " The common name of the plant in Egypt is Qolqas. The plant is just com- 

 ing into flower (October 6). It is an important crop in some districts of this 

 country." (Drown.) 



" This plant is of the same type as the specimens received from Syria and 

 Madeira, as well as from some other parts of the world. It is inferior in 

 quality to the dasheen." (R. A. Young.) 



39893 to 39895. 



From Burma, India. Collected by Mr. F. Kingdon Ward. Received Feb- 

 ruary 8, 1915. Quoted notes by Mr. Ward. 



39893. Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertner. Poacese. Ragi millet. 

 " Grain grown to supplement maize and mountain rice for making 



flour. Grown by the Marus, Nmaihka Valley, on dry hillsides, not irri- 

 gated, 4,000 to 5,000 feet. Soil from disintegrated granite. Also by 

 Lisus in Salwin Valley under similar conditions." 



39894. Nicotiana tabacum L. Solanacea?. Tobacco. 

 " Tobacco grown by the Marus, far Upper Burma, Valley of Nmaihka 



or eastern Irrawaddy. Altitude 4,000 to 5,000 feet. Soil from disinte- 

 grated granite. Monsoon rains in the summer, very hot. Winter cold 

 but no snow ; lies too low." 



39895. Zea mays L. Poacese. Corn. 

 " Maize grown by Lisus and Marus, Valley of Nmaihka and eastward, 



5,000 to 8,000 feet. Poor soil from disintegration of granite rocks, but 

 soil previously covered with forest which is cut and burnt on the spot. 

 Heavy summer rainfall. Maize ripens in July and August.'' 



39896. Garcinia mangostana L. Clusiacese. Mangosteen. 



From Buitenzorg, Java. Presented by the director, Botanic Gardens. Cut- 

 tings received February 23, 1915. 



39897 to 39924. 



From China. Collected by Mr. Frank N. Meyer, Agricultural Explorer for 

 the Department of Agriculture. Cuttings (except of 39914) received 

 February 23, 1915. Quoted notes by Mr. Meyer, except as otherwise in- 

 dicated. 

 39897. Citrus sp. Rutacea?. 



" (No. 1221. From near Lianjapa ( near Hsiku ) , Kansu, China. October 

 19, 1914.) A peculiar species of citrus growing into a large tree, bearing 

 loose-skinned, round, flattened fruits the size of mandarin oranges. 

 Color of rind, light yellow; rind full of oil glands, smelling like a tine 

 lemon; segments separating easily; fairly juicy and of an agreeable 



