25 
Another collector, Dr. Palmer, going into Mexico, the opportunity 
was embraced to secure from that dry country such valuable species 
as might be an addition to our Southwestern States, although some of 
the native species like the Mesquit still await trial under cultivation, 
which they have never received. 
Some years ago the Department imported for these regions the Aus- 
trahan Wattle Trees (Acacia decurrens and pycnantha), and for the 
more humid portions several species of Eucalyptus and the Cork Oak. 
The results seem not to have been very satisfactory (except in Cali- 
fornia), to a great extent, probably, for lack of attention by those to 
whom the seeds were sent. 
Vhe Mexican importations comprise the following: Axmole, sapon- 
iferous; Candelilla, ornamental; Cesalpina cacalaco, tanning; Cobano, 
timber; Crecentia alata, timber and medicinal; Hizlama, medicinal, 
edible fruit; Pzthscolobium dulce, tanning, edible fruit, shade; Piths- 
colobium sonore, hedge and timber; St. John’s Bread (imported from 
Africa), fruit, forage; Tabebauena donnel-smithii, or Primavera, timber. 
None of these importations have as yet been planted out. They will 
at first be taken care of at various experiment stations, as well as at 
Washington, and it will take several years before a judgment as to the 
usefulness of these new acquisitions can be had. 
HARDINESS. 
It has been assumed by many planters that a certain degree of hardi- 
ness is inherent in every species as such, and while this may be true to 
a Slight extent it can not be used as a basis for selection. Were it 
entirely true we should have no need of considering the locality whence 
our stock came. Red Cedar from Florida would be just as suitable for 
planting in Nebraska as Platte Valley Red Cedar. It is known that 
trees can be grown successfully in a locality where the conditions are 
somewhat, nay, considerably, different from those under which the par- 
ent tree grew. Thus the Bald Cypress, whose habitat is the swamps and 
lowlands along our Southern rivers, is found to grow well in highland, 
even beyond its natural range. There is a healthy specimen of this 
tree in the grounds of Prof. E, A. Popence in the high prairie overlook- 
ing the valley of the Blue River at Manhattan, Kans. It would be 
unsafe to make hasty generalizations, however. It is known that the 
locality of the parent tree has a great influence upon the hardiness of 
its seedlings, and for the West especially, where conditions are uniformly 
more severe than within the forest regions, seed should be secured from 
localities most closely resembling that in which they are to be planted. 
The range of successful seedling growth has yet to be determined, and 
it is a practical question for experimental determination. It is impor- 
tant to the seedsman, the nurseryman, and the planter. The seedsman 
should know how far from the place of collection his seeds will prove 
satisfactory, for of course 1f the resulting seedlings winterkill or fail to 
