DECEMBER^ 1903; TO DECEMBER, 1905. 165 



They have an oval form with a pronounced fiery color, are aromatic and edible with 

 a somewhat acrid yet sweet taste. 



"Commonly j^eople who have lemoncito trees make siruj) from the ripened fruit 

 and also preserve them." {AJtern.) 



14434 to 14463. 



From Mexico. Secured by Prof. P. H. Rolfs, in charge of the Subtropical Labo- 

 ratory, Miami, Fla., while traveling in Mexico as agricultural explorer of the 

 Office of Seed and Plant Introduction in April, May, and June, 1905. 



14434. Prunus sp. "Ceruella." 



"iV form of native Prunus, resembling the peach in color, about the size of 

 a damson plum. Secured at Jalapa, Mexico. This plum grows in that neigh- 

 borhood; consequently it is possible that seedlings from it will be able to main- 

 tain themselves in extreme southern Florida and Porto Eico. (Lab. No. 

 289.)" (Rolfs.) 



14435. Peesea gratissima. Avocado. 



"A small quantity of bud wood secured from a tree that blooms in January 

 and ripens fruit in May. The special value of this jmrticular tree lies in the 

 fact that it ripens in so short a time after blooming. The fruit, altho delicious 

 and otherwise good, is too small to prove of value on the market. Its special 

 value, however, lies in the fact that when it comes into bearing it can be used 

 for hybridizing with the early forms that do have marketable fruit, and con- 

 sequently the introduction is very desirable. (Lab. No. 295.)" {Rolfs.) 



14436. CucuEBiTA sp. Squash. 



"This is a peculiar native (?) squash that is grown to some extent for the 

 market, and it is possible that it would be of use in the Southern States for a 

 summer vegetable on account of its extremely hard outer skin. (Lab. No. 



296.)" (Rolfs.) 



14437. Caesalpinia sp. 



"This is a flowering shrub found at Papantla, State of Vera Cruz. It resem- 

 bles to some extent a plant already grown in Florida and known as the dwarf 

 Poindana (Caesalpina pulcherrima). It differs from this, however, in produ- 

 cing a much greater abundance of flowers and growing about twice the height. 

 It is a distinct species from that mentioned. (Lab. No. 297. ) " (Rolfs. } 



14438. Ficus sp. 



"A number of ripe fruits of this tree were secured from the public garden at 

 Papantla. The fruits are about the size of black walnuts, and are inedible, 

 tho not of unpleasant flavor; but the tree is very decorative. In general char- 

 acter of the tree and look of the leaves, this species would classify near Ficus 

 carica. ( Lab. No. 298. ) " ( Rolfs. ) 



14439. Hibiscus sp. 



"An Hibiscus that appears to be a native, bearing a very dark maroon- 

 colored bloom. Quite showy and striking. (Lab. No. 299. ) " (Rolfs.) 



14440. Vanilla sp. "Pompon." 



"This species is a very strong-growing vanilla. Produces the largest pods 

 and in considerable quantity. Secured near Papantla, \^era Cruz. (Lab. 

 No. 308.)" (Rolfs.) 



14441. Vanilla planifolia (?). Vanilla. 



"This number appears to be the true V. planifolia, but could not be identi- 

 fied. It, however, is one of the vanilla-producing species. (Lab, No. 309.) " 

 (Rolfs.) 



14442. Vanilla planifolia. Vanilla. 



"This was secured from a vanillary some 10 or 12 miles from Papantla. It 

 is probably the true V. planifolia. It is from this species that most of the com- 

 mercial material is produced in this section. (Lab. No. 310.) " (Rolfs.) 



97 



