22 



SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPOKTED. 



S8733 to 38741— Continued. 



to last well in the form of shingles in Sikkim, whence it is sometimes 

 exported to Tibet for roofing. At Murree shingles are said to last 8 to 10 

 years and at Kulu 3 to 6 years. It is also much used for construction 

 purposes. Very little information exists regarding the rapidity of its 

 growth. The bark is used for roofing shepherds' huts, and it is also made 

 into troughs for the salt given to the sheep grazing on the high Himalayas." 

 (Watt, Dictionary of the Economic Products of India, vol. 1, p. 5.) 



38734. Acer hookeri Miq. Aceracese. Maple. 

 " This species, which is a native of the eastern temperate Himalayas, 



is found growing at altitudes of 8,000 to 10,000 feet around Sikkim and 

 Bhutan. Plants with copper-colored foliage are not uncommon around 

 Darjiling. This tree attains a height of 40 to 50 feet." (Watt, Dic- 

 tionary of the Economic Products of India, vol. 1, p. 69.) 



38735. AxBizziA chinensis (Osbeck) Merrill. Mimosacese. 

 (AlMzzia stipulata Boiv.) 



See S. P. I. No. 25782 for previous introduction. 



Concerning this plant. Watt (Commercial Products of India), under 

 A. stipulata, says: "All Indian species alford gum, more or less copi- 

 ously, from wounds on the stem, and though little is known for certain of 

 the specific differences of these gums, that of A. stipulata is reputed to be 

 especially valued as a size in the manufacture of Nepal paper. The 

 bark is said to be a fish poison ; the leaves of most species are regarded 

 as useful fodders, and in some instances the trees are specially grown 

 on that account, but, according to Mr. Hartless, the stipules and young 

 leaves of this species are poisonous to cattle. The timber is very soft. 

 By far the greatest interest in the species of Albizzia centers in this 

 species, which is now very extensively grown as a shade tree for tea both 

 in Assam and Darjiling. It is known as the sau in the former Province 

 and the kala-siris in the latter. Its chief value turns on the nitrating 

 warts formed on its roots." 



38736. Dendeocalamus hamiltonii Nees and Arn. Poacese. Bamboo. 

 "A common bamboo in the eastern Himalayas from Kumaon to Assam. 



It is generally a tall grass, 40 to 60 feet in height, but sometimes found 

 as a long and tangled bush. The young shoots are used as food, being 

 boiled and eaten in Sikkim, Bhutan, and Assam. The halms are large, 

 3 to 6 inches in diameter, rather hollow, and not always straight, but 

 they are used for every variety of purpose. The bamboo grows gregari- 

 ously on hillsides up to 3,000 feet. This bamboo is used by some tea 

 planters for shading their estates from the hot and violent winds. This 

 bamboo flowers every year, which is not the case with all others of this 

 genus." (Watt, Dictionary of the Economic Products of India, vol. 3, 

 p. 



38737. Nyssa sessiliflora Hook. f. and Thoms. Cornacese. 



" This is a large tree found in the forests of the Sikkim Himalayas 

 above 5,000 feet; also in Martaban between 4,000 and 6,000. The wood 

 is gray, soft, and even grained, and is used for house building and other 

 purposes about Darjiling." (Watt, Dictionary of the Economic Products 

 of India, vol. 5, p. 438.) 



38738. Quercus sp. Fagacese. 



Oak. 



