DECEMBEK, 1905, TO JULY, 1906. 73 



18256 to 18277— Continued. 



18258. Glycine hispida. Soybean. 



From Pee-san. "(Xo. 5a.) This soy bean is extensively cultivated in the 

 mountains north of Peking and is highly esteemed for human food; requires 

 but little irrigation, and is well worth trying in the arid West.'' {Meyer. ) 



18259. Glycine hispida. Soy bean. 



From Tschang-ping-tsu. "(Xo. 6a.) This bean is grown in the northern 

 country as a nitrogen-supplying crop with sorghum, corn, or millet; does not 

 scatter much when ripe, but seems to be late in ripening." {Meyer.) 



18260. Prunus armexiaca. Apricot. 



From Peking. " (No. 7a. ) The so-called Chinese almond, but it is really a 

 sweet-kerneled apricot. It is considered a fine little nut by the Chinese, who 

 eat them salted after having them soaked in water to get rid of the skin." 



( Meyer. ) 



18261. Prunus armeniaca. Apricot. 



From Peking. "(Xo. 8a.) The same as Xo. 7a (S. P. 1. Xo. 18260), but 

 inferior in quality; both are probably the same plant. They are said to he a 

 special strain of apricots, being grown only for their seeds." {Meyer.) 



18262. Amygdalus persica. Peach. 



From Peking. "(Xo. 9a.) Seeds collected from a tree growing in the Ger- 

 man Legation grounds at Peking. This tree, which is about 40 feet high, is a 

 most heavy bearer and looks like a remarkably thrifty peach tree. Its leaves 

 are much darker green than those of the cultivated ones. I was told that it is 

 a fine ornamental tree in the spring, being one sheet of rose-colored blossoms." 

 {Meyer.) 



18263. Juglans regia. Persian walnut. 



From Tientsin. "(Xo. 10a.) A small variety bought in Tientsin. May 

 prove to be very hardy, as the nuts are small and hard." {Meyer. ) 



18264. Xanthoceras sorbifolia. 



From Wei-tsan Mountains. "(Xo. 11a.) A small ornamental tree belong- 

 ing to the horse-chestnut family. Is very well fit for a solitary lawn tree in a 

 small garden, as it grows only to a small size and makes a dense head of foli- 

 age." {Meyer.) 



18265. Quercus dentata. Oak. 



From Ming Tombs, north of Peking. "(Xo. 12a.) This oak attains a 

 medium size, has very large, dark green leaves, and is well worth growing; 

 looks quite different from other oaks. Collected on the grounds of the Ming 

 Tombs, 30 miles north of Peking, where it gets extremely cold. The trees 

 will probably prove hardy quite far north." {Meyer. ) 



18266. Diospvros lotus. Persimmon. 



From Pee-san. "(Xo. 13a.) A small persimmon used as stock for the 

 seedless one. ' ' ( Meyer. ) 



18267. Catalpa bungei. Catalpa. 



From Wei-tsan Mountains. "(Xo. 78.) Young trees of which the parents 

 have grown to a very large size in an old temple garden. This tree is one 

 of the finest flowering trees in the world." {Meyer.) 



18268. Tamarix sp. 



From Wei-tsan Mountains. "(Xo. 83.) A very graceful bush, suitable 

 for planting along the water's edge." {Meyer. ) 



18269. Populus sp. Poplar. 



From Wei-tsan Mountains. "(Xo. 84. ) This poplar is often found growing 

 in old temple gardens ; it has whitish bark and attains a very large size. Prob- 

 ably the same as Xo. 15 (S. P. I. Xo. 16915.) " {Meyer.) 



106 



