12 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



4398. Landolphta kleinii. 



From France. Received February 10, 1900. 



(See No. 4397.) Distributed. 



4399. Ficus elastica. Assam rubber. 



From France. Received February 14, 1900. 



' 'Assam rubber comes mostly from Ficus elastica. A little of it is derived from Uro- 

 stigma laccifera. Ficus elastica grows in the hot mountain valleys of the Himalayas, 

 between 70° and 80° east longitude, where the air remains warm and damp and the 

 mercury stands at 38° C. in the shade." (Semmler.) Distributed. 



4400. Ficus religiosa. Fig of Scripture. 



From France. Received February 14, 1900. 



Somewhat similar to No. 4399 in that it is the source of a commercial rubber in the 

 East Indies. Distributed. 



4401. Pithecolobium saman. Rain tree. 



From France. Received February 14, 1900. 

 Inga Soman. The pods of this West Indian tree are useful for forage, resembling 

 those of the mesquite bean. The tree has been recommended as a nurse tree in 

 banana or coffee plantations. (See No. 272-4, Inventory No. 7.) 



4402. Beta vulgaris. Sugar beet. 



From Germany. Presented by Mr. Ad. Strandes, of Rittergut, Zehringen bei 

 Cothen. Received February 15, 1900. 



Zehringen Elite, from polarized mother beets. Distributed. 



4403. Zea mays. Sugar corn. 



From New York. Received February 14, 1900. 



StowelV s Evergreen. 



4404. Triticum vulgare. Wheat. 



From Minnesota. Received February 16, 1900. 



Wellman's Fife. An improved strain of the "Saskatchewan" and further im- 

 proved through rigid seed selection by Mr. D. L. Wellman, of Frazee City, Minn. 

 Claimed to be particularly hardy, productive, and rust-resistant. A bald variety with 

 medium-sized hard, red grains. Should be sown as early in the spring as the weather 

 will permit. Adapted to all Northern spring-wheat districts. 



4405. Andropogon sorghum. Sorghum. 



From Missouri. Received February 15, 1900. Presented by Mr. W. P. Griffin, 

 of Altamont. 



An improved variety, originated by Mr. Griffin. It is better adapted for sirup 

 than the Amber cane, because the juice does not granulate so readily. The cane is 

 stout, erect, firmly rooted. It matures in 12 to 14 weeks, and is a heavy yielder both 

 of juice and seed. 



4406. Avena sativa. Oat. 



From Texas. Received February 13, 1900. 



Texas Rust-proof. This prolific variety of red oat is very popular in Texas and 

 other portions of the Southern States, particularly because of its rust-resisting qual- 

 ities, as the oat crop in that region is often ruined by rust if ordinary varieties are 

 sown. It should be sown in the fall or early in the spring. It is one of the best 

 varieties for the South. 



