399349, PHRAGMITES VUL- 
GARIS LONGIVALVIS,. From 
Yokohama, Japan. A widely distrib- 
uted reed used for the manniacture of 
screens, matsandchair seats. Requires 
moist locations. Used in Holland for 
reclaiming swamp lands by growing 
itseveralsuccessivescasons, ultimately 
converting them into arable lands. 
P. vulgavis is the common reed in our 
swamps. The young shoots are eaten 
like asparagus in Japan. 
27480. PHYSALIS [XOCARPA, 
Musk Tomato. From Chico, Calif. 
A Mexican variety which has given 
excellent results in California. The 
shucked fruits are the size of English 
walnuts and possess an agreeable 
flaver. The plants grow erect, 3 to 4 
feet high and are cultivated like toma- 
toes. Recommended for trial in com- 
perison with P. peruviana. 
21705. PHYSALIS PERUVIANA, 
Husk Tomato. 
From R. A. Davis, Pretoria. 
Dwarf perennial, cultivated in warm 
countries for its edible, slightly acid 
fruits. These are used for desserts or 
made into delicious jams by boiling 
with equal quantities of sugar. Start 
in cold frame and treat like tomatoes. 
Plant 2 by 3 feet apart. 
28132. PHYTOLACCA ACIN- 
OSA. var. esculenta. A perennial found 
wild only in moist mountain forest 
undergrowth in Japan. The leaves 
are eaten boiled in miso soup by the 
native rural people; the root is some- 
what poisonous and is used asa drug 
by the herb medical school; the ber- 
ries are not edible. 
31482. PHYTOLACCA DIOICA. 
Ombu. From Mr. Joseph E. Wing, 
Buenos Aires, Argentina. A common 
tree of piers flourishing in very 
ary soil during the worst drought. 
Sometimes grows to 12 feet in diame- 
ter. The trees are said to grow very 
rapidly. 
249307. PIMPINELLA ANISUM. 
Anise. Presented by Mr. Hubert S. 
Smiley, Larne, County Antrim, Ire- 
land. A yellowish white flowerin 
annual from Abyssinia, attaining 
feet in height, mostly grown in the 
Mediterranean countries, for its seeds 
which are used in medicine and in 
cookery, and for flavoring liquors. 
These seeds yicld a highly perfumed 
essential oil. The leaves are also used 
for seasoning and garnishing. 
