56 



SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



35577. Hibiscus cannabinus L. Ambari. 

 From Pusa, India. Presented by Mr. A. Howard, Agricultural Research Insti- 

 tute, through Mr. L. H. Dewey, of the Bureau of Plant Industry. Received 

 July 7, 1913. 



''Seeds of an improved type developed by plant-breeding methods under the direc- 

 tion of Mr. Howard. This fiber plant, known as Ambari, Deccan hemp, Bimlipitam 

 jute, Java jute, and Mesta pat, is an annual, similar in appearance to hemp, but yield- 

 ing a fiber intermediate in character between India jute (Corchorus) and China jute 

 (Abutilon). Adapted to rich alluvial soils in the Southern States, but not recom- 

 mended for commercial cultivation in this country until mechanical methods are 

 devised for preparing the fiber." {L. H. Dewey.) 



35578 and 35579. 



From Burringbar, New South Wales, Australia. Presented by Mr. B. Harrison. 

 Received June 24, 1913. 



35678. Eugenia myrtifolia Sims. Australian rose-apple. 



Distribution. — An evergreen shrub found in Queensland and New South 

 ' Wales in Australia. 

 36579. Trichosanthes anguina L. Snake gourd. 



''Grows from 3 to 6 feet long and is very prolific.'* {Harrison.) 



Introduced as the Guada bean; sold throughout the Tropics as a wonder- 

 fully productive and valuable vegetable. So common in India that the high 

 price charged for the seeds is entirely unwarranted. 



35580 and 35581. 



From Dondo, Angola, Africa. Presented by Mr. W. P. Dodson. Received June 

 26, 1913. 



35580. RuBUS pinnatus Willd. Raspberry. 

 ''The wild raspberry I found in the jungle of this part called the 'Libolo 



country.' The vine is a very vigorous one, and the main stem I found some- 

 times over one-half inch in diameter, much stouter at the main stem, and as 

 dry and tough on the outside as the small limb of a tough tree. It was thorn 

 covered. From this it branched out in many directions and threw out stout 

 and very vigorous shoots 20 feet. I pruned these the first year I found 

 them, and the next season they did not bear so well. I had to cut away the 

 awfully fierce tangle to get anywhere near it. It may have been disturbed. 

 This year the fruit seems not so fine, but that may be because my duties have 

 compelled me to let the jungle close in again on it. The raspberry matures 

 here twice a year." (Dodson.) 

 Distribution. — Upper and Lower Guinea and in Cape Colony. 



35581. Elaeis guineensis Jacq. African oil palm. 

 "Nuts of the oil palm, which exists in such vast quantities on the west coast 



of Africa from Sierra Leone down below us. We are about 9° south, in the 

 interior of the vast Province of Angola. The variety the natives name Sombo 

 is the very finest. When the tree is a fine one, as in this case, the nut proper 

 is very small, while the meat of the nut, from which the oil is extracted by 

 boiling and pressure, is plentiful. The taste is also finer. These nuts were 

 given me by the chief of Ndunga, at whose capital we have our home." {Dod- 

 son.) 



