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40687. BERBERIS sp. Barberry. From F. N. Meyer, Kagoba,
Kansu, China. An ornamental barberry of very low growth,
being only 1 to 3 feet high. The leaves are very small and the very
ornamental bright-scarlet berries are produced in great profusion.
Found along embankments at altitudes of 6,000 to 10,000 feet. Of
value as a border shrub in the colder sections of the United States.

42726. BIXA SPHAEROCARPA. Achuete. From Mr. H. M.
Curran, San Martin de Loba, Colombia. Large quick-growing shrub
or small tree closely allied to the arnotto, B. orellana, from which it
differs in having spherical fruits and leaves covered on the under side
with small scales. The seed yields a dye which is said to be indistinguishable
from arnotto dye. Native of Venezuela and Colombia.

BOMBAX MALABARICUM. Red silk-cotton tree. A beautiful,
semitropical, deciduous, Indian shade tree, the bark of which
furnishes a good fiber for cordage and the seeds a silky cotton used
for stuffing pillows, etc.

BRASSICA PEKINENSIS. Pe-tsai or Chinese cabbage.
From various sources in North China. A fall cabbage, not suitable
for spring planting, as it goes to seed. Sow in July in rows ; begin
manuring heavily when 4 inches high. Harvest after first light
frost ; heads long, cylindrical, not very firm. By cutting off all green
leaf tips it can be cooked free from the penetrating cabbage odor.

BUCHANANIA LATIFOLIA. Piyar. Anacardiaceous tree
about 30 feet high, bearing small drupes with edible kernels nearly
the size of almonds, which they somewhat resemble in taste. They
are the source of chironiji oil. The bark and fruits furnish a natural
varnish. The tree, also, exudes a gum, "peal" or "pial," which is
said to resemble Bassora gum, to have adhesive properties like inferior
gum arabic, and to be suitable for dressing textiles.

44531. BUDDLEIA DAVIDII. From La Mortola Garden,
Ventimiglia, Italy. Handsome ornamental shrub, 3 to 8 feet in
height, with variable, sessile, dark-green leaves, 4 to 10 inches long,
and rather lax panicles of clear lilac-colored flowers with an orange
eye. This species is very variable in the shape of its leaves, in the
compactness of its flower clusters, and in the size of its flowers.
Native of China.

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