24 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED 



as the plant grows older, usually set at a rather acute angle* leaves 2 to 4 

 inches long, light green above, grayish beneath, one edge serrate, the other 

 smooth ; sheaths deciduous, marked with purplish spots and blotches. 



"A handsome ornamental form, fairly hardy, and grown generally in public 

 gardens throughout the world. This was one of the earliest introduced forms 

 in California and is found there in many gardens. It is said to be quite 

 drought resistant and with a little protection will survive the winters as far 

 north as Washington, D. C." (B. T. Galloway.) 



55976. Zea 3iaxs L. Poacese. Corn. 



From Buenos Aires. Argentina. Presented, by D. S. Bullock, Agricultural 

 'Commissioner. Bureau of Agricultural Economics. Received November. 

 28. 1922. 



"From Entre Bios. Argentina." (Bullock.) 



Maiz amargo (bitter corn). A variety of corn said to have been introduced 

 into Argentina from Hungary in 1902, since which date it has become quite 

 popular in some parts of northern Argentina because of its resistance to the 

 attacks of locusts. A characteristic of this variety which distinguishes it 

 from other varieties is its tendency to stool or produce side shoots. Unless 

 planted close, each plant will produce under favorable conditions from 4 to 

 10 of these shoots. The leaves are often over 3 feet long and sometimes 4 

 inches wide and the stalks from 6 to 10 feet tall. There are two forms noted 

 in Entre Bios, one with grayish white kernels and one with yellow kernels, 

 the latter having longer ears than the former. Because of the numerous inter- 

 gradations, however, it is very difficult to obtain typical ears of either form. 

 The growing season of maiz amargo is long, sometimes as long as nine 

 months. In Entre Rios it is sown in November. (Adapted from. Report No. 

 76, i): : S. Bulloch, Agricultural Commissioner.) 



55977. Akachis hyeogaea L. FabaceEe. Peanut. 



From Sydney. New South Wales. Seeds presented by G. W. Yalder. under- 

 secretarv and director. Department of Agriculture. Received Novem- 

 ber 28. 192-J. 



"These seeds were originally sent from the United States under the name 

 •Mammoth.' The Chinese claim that tins variety is too large for their pur- 

 pose." {Voider.) 



Introduced for the use of specialists in the Department of Agriculture. 



55978. Eugenia dceubeyi (Spreng.) Skeels. Myrtacese. 



(E. brasiliensis Lam.) Grumichama. 



From Hilo, Hawaii. Seeds presented by Bro. Matthias Newell. Received 

 October 23, 1922. 



"The grumichama is found both wild and cultivated in southern Brazil, par- 

 ticularly in the States of Parana and Santa Catharina. Elsewhere, with the 

 exception of Hawaii, it is scarcely known. 



"The tree, which grows to the same size as the orange, is shapely and at- 

 tractive in appearance, with ovate-elliptic, glossy deep-green leaves 2 to 3 

 inches long. The small white flowers are followed by pendent fruits, round or 

 slightly flattened, the size of a cherry and deep crimson in color. The persistent 

 green 'sepals which crown the apex are a distinguishing characteristic. The 

 skin is thin and delicate, the flesh soft, melting, of a mild subacid flavor sug- 

 gesting that of a Bigarreau cherry. The seeds are round or hemispherical 

 when one or two in number ; sometimes there are three or more, in which 

 case the size is reduced and they are angular. 



"The rapidity with which the fruits develop is surprising; within a month 

 from the time of flowering they have reached maturity and are falling to the 

 ground. Father Tavares states that all the trees do not ripen their crops at 

 the same time, some blooming later than others and thus extending the fruiting 

 season from November to February (in Brazil). Three varieties are distin- 

 guished by him, one with dark-red flesh, another with vermilion, and the third 

 with White. All three are said to be equally good in quality. The fruit is 

 usually eaten fresh, but may also be used to make jams and preserves. 



