18 



SEEDS AXD PLANTS IMP OE TED 



58445. Saxdobicum koetjape (Burm. 

 f.) Merr. (S. indicum Cav.). Melia- 

 ceae. Santol. 



From Dominica. British West Indies. Seeds pre- 

 sented bv Joseph. Jones, Botanic Garden. Re- 

 ceived December 22, 1923. 



The santol is a Philippine tree which becomes 80 

 feet tall in its native country, with trifoliolate, 

 hairy leaves and greenish yellow or straw-colored 

 flowers. The chief value of the tree resides in its 

 yellowish fruit, which is rounded or flattened, 

 about 2 inches in diameter, with rather large seeds 

 inclosed in translucent, acid, edible pulp of good 

 flavor. When peeled, quartered, and cooked in 

 sirup the fruits make a delicious preserve. (Adapted 

 from Brown, Wild Food Plants of the Philippines, 

 p. 86.) 



This tree is not suited for cultivation in the United 

 States except perhaps in the warmest parts of 

 Florida. It is of interest for trial in Porto Rico, the 

 Canal Zone, and Hawaii. Its fruit is not rated very 

 high among those which are eaten in the Asiatic 

 Tropics. 



58446 to 58454. Mtjsa paradisiaca 

 sapientum (L.) Kuntze. Musacea?. 



Banana. 



From Honolulu. Hawaii. Shoots presented bv 

 Willis T. Pope, horticulturist, Hawaii Agricul- 

 tural Experiment Station. Received December 

 22, 1923. 



58446. The Biu-e fields, also known as the Jamaica, 

 is one of the most important banana vai 

 from a commercial standpoint. Bis the duel 

 banana of the American trade. The plants are 

 large, and the fruits are of fine appearance, of 

 fair flavor, and well placed on the bunch for con- 

 venient handling. It is excellent for shipping. 

 (Adapted from Bulletin 7 of ike Eaicaii Agricul- 

 tural Experiment Station, p. J 



55447. The Brazilian, as it is known locally, is con" 

 sidered by some authorities as the Sue 

 riety in the Hawaiian Islands for eatir. 

 It was introduced into Hawaii from Tahiti 

 about 1855 and probably is the same as the va- 

 riety known ss Pisang rajah or Pi-sang 

 banana" of Java. The 

 plant is a 'vigorous grower, 25 to 35 feet high, 

 roots firmly and withstands winds, ratoons 



58446 to 58454 — Continued. 



freely, :-.xl serves as a windbreak for more 

 delicate varieties. The flower end of the fruit 

 is drawn out into a kind of beak. The skin is 

 yellow, easily separating from the fruit. The 

 variety is not satisfactory for shipping because 

 the fruit 'ills f::~ the :xx:h. Aixttel :'. : x_ 

 Bulletin ' iffkt. Hawaii Agricultural Exp-r 

 S:::ion, p. 15.) 



58446. Ckamahux. The plant is from 10 to 15 feet 

 :x height, with medium -sixei ie/~es. mi — in- 

 grown in fertile soil the hunches of fruit are 

 rather large. There are two types, one with 

 green and the other with graj? fruits Fnc 

 greater part of these fruits are eaten cooked at 

 the time when other varieties are ripe. 

 (Adapted from Bulletin 25, Departamento de 

 Agricultura y Trabajo, Porto Rico, p. 19.) 



For previous introduction see S. P. I. No. 55246. 



58449. Chinese. A variety introduced from Ta- 

 hiti into the Hawaiian Islands about 1855. The 

 plant is of very low growth, the fruit of good 

 flavor, and the bunch of large size. It is an 



excellent variety for shipping, but will not stand 

 as rough handling as the Jamaica. (Adapted 

 from Bulletin 7 of the Hawaii Agricultural Ex- 

 periment Station, p. 44.) 



58450. Ice Cream. 



For previous introduction see S. P. I. No. 55M7. 



58451. Largo. Introduced into Hawaii from 

 Mexico. The plant is of medium height and 

 the fruits, borne in long-stemmed bunches, h 3ve 

 buttery pink flesh of fair flavor. (J". E. Higgins, 

 Bulletin ?. Hawaii Agricultural Experiment 



- :n.) 



For previous introduction see S. P. I. No. 55250. 



58452. Pic: 58453. Porto Rico. 



7 i t; T - ious m traduction see S. P. L N: .552SL 



58454. Red Cuban. This is the proper name of 

 rhe largest sized variety of the various red 

 bananas — large both as to plant and fruit. A 

 ~r -r iwn bunch has 8 to 10 hands and indi- 

 I fingers from 2tc 1 . inches in diameter. 

 This is the red banana of eommerce. (Gold- 

 -. -«, Crescent City, Fla.) 



For previous introduction see S. P. I. No. 55252. 



