APRIL 1 TO JUNE 30, 1922. 41 



55417. Pkunus majestica Koehne. Amygdalacese. Cherry. 



From Yunnan, China. Seeds collected by J. F. Rock, Agricultural Explorer 

 of the United States Department of Agriculture. Received May 16, 1922. 



"(No. 2884. Between Puerhfu and Mohei, Yunnan. March 18, 1922.) A 

 tree 25 to 30 feet in height with ascending branches, growing on exposed dry 

 ridges 6,000 feet or more in altitude. The cherries, which are borne in March, 

 are oblong to ovoid, bright red, with scanty but juicy bitter flesh. The tree 

 grows in company with Pyrus yunnanensis, P. pasliia, Larix sp., and several 

 other species of Prunus and Malus which are now in flower." (Rock.) 



55418. Phaseolus semierecttjs L. Fabacese. 



From Gatun, Canal Zone. Seeds presented by J. A. Close. Received May 

 18, 1922. 



" The long narrow pods are of a leguminous plant which I am trying out 

 as a cover crop. I first noticed the dark-purple flowers, about the size and 

 shape of sweet peas, along the railroad track at Gatun, but the plant did 

 not grow well in the gravel. When planted in heavy clay mixed with charcoal, 

 however, it developed wonderfully, and the vines formed a dense mat which 

 allowed no other vegetation to grow under or through it. The plants grew 

 about 3 feet high, and in the last month of the dry season the ground was 

 covered with the decaying leaves. New plants have appeared a hundred feet 

 from the old planting." (Close.) » 



55419 to 55423. Acacia spp: Mimosacea?. 



From Khartum, Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. Seeds presented by E. E. Massey, 

 Government botanist, Sudan Government Department of Agriculture, 

 through Maj. R. G. Archibald, Wellcome Tropical Research Laboratories. 

 Received May 15, 1922. 



Introduced for experimental planting in the southwestern United States in 

 connection with gum-arabic production. 



55419. Acacia albida Delile. 



A low, much-branched tree with whitish bark, axillary spikes of 

 white flowers, and flat, oblong pods. It is a native of tropical Africa 

 and yields a gum similar to gum arabic. The leaves are eaten by goats, 

 and the bark is used in curing leather. (Adapted from Olive?', Flora 

 of Tropical Africa, vol. 2, p. 339, 1871, and Kew Bulletin of Miscellaneous 

 Information, Additional Series IX, pt. 2, p. 288.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 44922. 



55420. Acacia catechu (L. f.) Willd. 



A moderate-sized tree with dark-brown, much-cracked bark, very finely 

 pinnate leaves, spikes of white or pale-yellow flowers, and narrow dark- 

 brown pods. It is found in most parts of India and Burma, sometimes 

 becoming over 70 feet tall with a circumference of 8 or 9 feet. It yields 

 a pale-yellow gum, with tears often an inch in diameter, which is a 

 strong mucilage and a better substitute for gum arabic than the gum of 

 Acacia araoica. This species is also the source of cutch, the resinous 

 extract obtained by boiling down a decoction obtained from chips of 

 the heartwood; from this extract a dull-red dye may be obtained. 



The sapwood is yellowish white, and the heartwood, which is ex- 

 tremely hard, is either light or dark red. The wood is very durable, 

 takes a fine polish, and is not attacked by white ants or shipworms. 

 (Adapted from Watt, Dictionary of the Economic Products of India, vol. 

 1, p. 27.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 50711. 



55421. Acacia nubica Benth. 



An umbrella-shaped shrub 4 to 5 feet high, with dark greenish bark, 

 small leaflets, and rather large heads of fragrant yellowish flowers. It 

 is native to Abyssinia and the western coast of Arabia. (Adapted from 

 Linnaea, vol. 35, p. 337.) 



