JANUARY 1 TO MARCH 31, 1914. 



41 



The species of Furcraea are cultivated in much the same way as those of Agave 

 fxcept that the former are given more heat and water. As a rule, Furcraeas 

 hear fruit not more than once and then die without producing suckers. They 

 do, however, produce when in flower an immense number of bulbils which may 

 be used for propagation. It is impossible to say at what size or age the plant 

 will bloom. Grown in pots they may take a century. On the other hand, plants 

 from bulbils have been known to flower in three years. The leaves of F. elegans 

 measure 4 to 5 inches at the broadest part and 3 inches above the base. They 

 are rough on the back and are armed with large prickles. The peduncles are 

 trom 20 to 25 feet long. The branches are slightly compound and the panicles 

 often reach from 10 to 12 feet." (L. H, Bailey, Cyclopedia of American Hor- 

 ticulture. ) 

 Bulbils. 



37129 and 37130. 



From Lai Bagh, Bangalore, India. Presented by Mr. G. H. Krumbiegel, 

 economic botanist, Mysore Government Botanical Gardens. Received 

 February 9, 1914. 



37129. Bambos sp. Bamboo. 

 This was received in response to a request for " bamboo rice " listed 



in the Official Handbook of Exhibits of the Mysore Dasara Industrial and 

 Agricultural exhibition, 1911, aibong the rices, with the description: 

 " Kiri hidari rice (bamboo rice). This is prepared out of bamboo paddy 

 which is grown in the bamboo trees once in 60 years. This is used as 

 food by the poor during distress and also used as medicine for those that 

 are suffering from enlargement of the spleen.'* 



37130. Oryza sativa L. Rice. 

 " KemJjuti bhatta." 



37131. Garcinia mul-tiflora Champion. 



From Hongkong, China. Presented by Mr. W. J. Tutcher, Botanical and 

 Forestry Department. Received February 9, 1914. 

 An opposite-branched clusiaceous shrub, with entire, ovate or obovate, short- 

 stalked, thick leaves, 3 to 3i inches long, and terminal corymbs of 4-petaled 

 flowers. Common toward the Black Mountain, Hongkong, flowering in the heat 

 of summer. (Adapted from Bentham, Flora HongJcongensis, p. 25, J 861.) 



37132 and 37133. Cucurbita pepo L. Squash. 

 From Rome, Italy. Presented by Dr. Gustav Eisen. Received February 9, 

 1914. 



"Zucchetta. A peculiar kind of squash. This squash is eaten green and 

 while the flower is yet adherent to the fruit, and never when the fruit is ripe, 

 it least I have never seen it eaten at that stage. Used stewed, fried, etc., in 

 many different ways, like squash or green peas. It is most delicious when boiled 

 in fresh butter and is fully equal to tender green peas, though of a different 

 flavor. I prefer zucchetta to any other fresh vegetable in this country. Many 

 eat the flowers when the new fruit is not more than 1 or 2 inclies long, though 

 generally they are sold when the fruit is between 6 and 10 inches, always while 

 green." (Eisen.) 



37132. "Zucchetta nana, ' Cerhero.'** 



37133. " Zucchetta nana, ' Romana.* ** 



