
          Brother Ariste Joseph, Bogota. This species is more commonly cultivated 
on the plateau of Bogota than any of the several others whose fruits 
are known as "curuba." The vine is not so ornamental but the fruit is 
considered the best; it is slender, oblong-oval, 2 to 4 inches long and 
slightly more than an inch thick, with a thin leathery skin (not brittle 
as in other species) inclosing many black seeds each surrounded by 
an orange-colored, juicy pulp. The flavor is sprightly and aromatic. 
While often eaten from the vine, the fruit is perhaps best when prepared 
in the form of crema de curuba or when made into an ice. It can 
be grown only in the warmest portions of the United States.

56833. TARAKTOGENOS KURZII. From Upper Chindwin, Northwest Burma. 
Collected by J. F. Rock from the tropical rain forests near the Siamese 
border. Chaulmoogra oil, which is derived from the seeds of this tree, 
has been known for several centuries to the natives of Burma and south-
western Asia as beneficial in the treatment of leprosy. The seeds, 
collected in distant and little-known mountain forests, have long been 
sold in the bazaars to persons suffering from leprosy, without the existence 
of any correct notion of the species from which the seeds were 
derived. In 1898 this valuable product was introduced into France by 
A. Bories. In 1900 Sir George Watt largely cleared up the mystery of 
the origin of chaulmoogra oil, while in recent years physicians in Hawaii 
and British India have undertaken extensive experiments in the application 
of the ethyl esters of chaulmoogric acid to leprous cases and 
the measure of their success has been so great that they have come to 
regard this treatment as practically a specfic [specific] cure. Dr. F. B. Power, 
of the Bureau of Chemistry, United States Department of Agriculture, 
has investigated the organic compounds derived from the fatty substances 
in the seeds of Taraktogenos kurzii, and other members of its family (Flacourtiaceae) and has prepared their respective ethyl esters. 
In 1919 and 1920, J. F. Rock, Agricultural Explorer, undertook an adventurous search for Taraktogenos kurzii, in which he was eventually successful. 
A large number of seeds were secured, and these seedlings are 
now available for experimental planting. Mr. Rock has discussed the 
cultural requirements of T. kurzii in "The Chaulmoogra Tree and Some Related Species," Bulletin No. 1057, U. S. Department of Agriculture, 
1922. As therein pointed out, the remoteness of the forest trees which 
yield chaulmoogra, and the danger and difficulty of collecting the 
seeds and getting them to civilization in good condition make it imperative 
that the trees be brought under cultivation in populous 
regions where leprosy is prevalent.

43741. TECOMA ARGENTEA. From Asuncion, Paraguay. Presented by 
C. F. Mead. A small tree from Paraguay and southeastern Brazil, stiffly 
erect in habit, with handsome silvery leaves and clusters of yellow 
flowers. It has shown itself well adapted to the climate and soil of 
southern Florida, and is worthy of trial throughout the warmer parts 
of the United States.

56535. TECOMA GARROCHA. Presented by Dr. A. Robertson Proschowsky, 
Nice, France. A small shrub native to Argentina. It is strikingly handsome 
with its slender spikes of bright-yellow and scarlet flowers which 
are smaller and more graceful than those of the well known Tecoma stans.

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