38 



SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



•resembling blnucmaiige, delicious as the finest cream/ whilst Mr. Russell 

 Wallace considered that 'eating durians is a sensation worth a voyage to the 

 East/ The large seeds may be roasted and eaten like chestnuts. Pounded into 

 flour, they are said to be sometimes made into a substance like ' vegetable ivory/ 

 The durian tree thrives in the moist low country of Ceylon up to 2,000 feet ele- 

 vation, and luxuriates in deep alluvial or loamy soil. In Peradeniya gardens 

 there are magnificent specimens well over 100 feet in height. They usually 

 flower in March and April, and the fruit is ripe in July or August. Duriati 

 fruits are variable in size, shape, flavor, and quantity of pulp, according to 

 variety. The trees also vary in productiveness, some varieties being almost 

 barren. Selection and high cultivation should, therefore, be practiced in order 

 to obtain the best fruits. The tree is readily propagated by seed if sown fresh ; 

 the seed is of short vitality and germinates in seven to eight days." {Mao 

 miUan, Handbook of Tropical Gardening and Plantina.) 



37104 to 37116. 



From Zaria, Northern Nigeria, Africa. Presented by Mr. K. T. Rae, De- 

 partment of Agriculture. Received February 4, 1914. 

 Quoted notes by Mr. Rae. 



37104 to 37111. ViGNA. SINENSIS (Torner) Savi. Cowpea. 



37104. "No. 1. Dariya anmriya (Hausa name). These are grown, 

 though not extensively, in the pagan districts of this province." 



37105. "No. 2. Hunum marini (Hausa name). These are grown 

 though not extensively, in the pagan districts of this province. 

 They were experimented with for the first time this year, and 

 under unfavorable conditions, with a rainfall of only 27.9 inches, 

 about 5 inches below the average, this variety proved to be the 

 second best yielder, giving 41 pounds per acre." 



37106. "No. 3. Zaria wake (Hausa name)." 



37107. Red. Selected from No. 3. Zaria xcake. 



37108. Spotted. Selected from No. 3. Zaria wake. 



37109. " No. 4. Saka-baba-sata. These covv^eas were experimented 

 w^ith for the first time this year, and under unfavorable conditions, 

 with a rainfall of 27.9 inches, about 5 inches below the average, 

 this variety proved to be the best yielder, giving 56 pounds per 

 acre." 



37110. "No. 5. Farin icake (Hausa name)." 



37111. (No data.) 



37112. Phaseolus LUNATUS L. Lima bean. 

 " No. 1. Small black and white bean. Edible climbing bean." 



37113. Phaseolus lunatus L. Lima bean. 

 " No. 2. Large pure white bean. Edible climbing bean." 



37114 to 37116. HoLCUs soeghum L. Sorghum. 

 {Sorghum vulgare Pers.) 



37114. "No. 1. Locality, Kano. Local name Kaura. One of the 

 most common varieties grown here, both for human consumption 

 and for stock." 



