JANUARY 1 TO MARCH 31, 1913. 



21 



was a new plant, asked for information concerning it and inquired as to the means of 

 procuring it. The only information that Mr. Nicholls gave them was that the plant 

 originated in the region between Chaney's Corner and the sea. Messrs. Nairn re- 

 quested cuttings, which Mr. Nicholl furnished them. These cuttings did not succeed 

 very well at first, because they were too woody, and only one or two small plants were 

 obtained. One shrub, however, bore seeds. On sowing these a hundred plants were 

 produced, which, except seven, presented the same characters as the type and later 

 yielded for the most part white flowers. But the exceptions have soft reddish foliage of a 

 different appearance. When they flowered it was found that they had red flowers. The 

 best of these was named Nichollsii, and it is this which is now received. A large 

 number of specimens have been sent to Europe, with great success, and have suc- 

 ceeded well there. This new variety forms a valuable addition to horticulture. 

 They are very much sought, however, for growing in gardens in the citrus regions 

 and they are cultivated in the open air like Leptospermum scoparium, that is to say, 

 in ground not calcareous, but in well-drained, airy locations. In less mild climates 

 they are cultivated in the cool house. They are easily propagated by cuttings." 

 (Revue Horticole, 1912, p. 577.) 



34854. Xanthosoma sagittaefolium (L.) Schott. Yautia. 



From Basse Terre, Guadeloupe. Presented by the American consul. Received 

 February 3, 1913. 



' ' Malanga colore. Colored or wine eddo. The roots of this eddo are much esteemed. 

 They are smaller and more nearly round than the white eddo. The color inside is 

 pale yellow. They are mealy and dry when cooked. The young leaves of the plant 

 are selected as the best for making 'calalou.' " {F. T. F. Dmnont.) 



Tubers. 



34855 and 34856. Persea Americana Miller. Avocado. 



(Per sea gralissima Gaertn. f.) 

 From Mexico. Collected by Mr. G. N. Collins, of the Bm-eau of Plant Industry. 

 Received February 4, 1913. 

 Scions of the following; quoted notes' by Mr. Collins: 

 34865. 



''From San Pablo, Campeche, January 20, 1913. A thin-skinned fruit with 

 email seeds; reputed to be of very superior quality." 

 34856. 



" From a tree said to produce the finest and largest fruits in Merida, a place 

 noted for its fine avocados." 



34859. Vigna sinensis (Torner) Savi. Cowpea. 

 From San Salvador, Salvador. Presented by Mr. Thomas Hinckley, American 

 consul general, who procured them through the Sociedad Nacional de Agri- 

 cultura, Ganaderla e Industrias of Salvador. This seed was procui'ed at the 

 request of Mr. R. T. Ruiz. Received January 30, 1913. 

 "A black pole bean so prolific as to defy comparison. It is found in its best 

 state in the department of Chalatenango. The best trait of this bean beside its 

 splendid flavor is the fact that it is sown in the same hill with the Indian corn at the 

 same time the latter is being sown and it matures with the corn, the stalk of the latter 

 being its natural support." (Ruiz.) 



