NOVEMBER 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 1919. 



83 



48657 to 48688— Continued. 



In the temperate zone, to which it is best suited, the nettle tree does 

 well in any exposure and in any soil. Its different ways of propaga- 

 tion allow the grower to choose the method of planting which is best 

 adapted to the local conditions and to the soil. The tree does well in 

 soils where other trees grow only with difficulty and helps to cover 

 rocky and arid ground. When grown on the pollarding system or in 

 groups of coppice shoots, it supplies material for the manufacture of 

 many agricultural implements. Each part of the tree is of value and 

 supplies useful material; thus, the wood, by reason of its hardness, 

 fine grain, delicate color, elasticity, and resistance, is excellent for turn- 

 ing or cabinetmaking ; the leaves are valuable as fodder for animals, 

 especially in seasons and districts in which there is a shortage of green 

 fodder ; cattle and goats willingly eat the young leaves which, when 

 fresh, contain 6.30 per cent of nitrogenous substances, 0.15 per cent of 

 fat, and 19.69 per cent of carbohydrates. Nearly every year the nettle 

 tree gives an abundant crop of stone fruit very rich in sugar (39.40 per 

 cent when completely ripe), which makes a very useful feedstuff for 

 live stock, especially in districts where it is not possible to include sugar 

 in the rations. The kernel contains 67.10 per cent of fat, that is to 

 say, 7.02 per cent of that of the whole fruit. When ground the stones 

 yield about 10 per cent of fat, but, if the kernels are separated from 

 the woody part, this may amount to 60 per cent. In this case cakes 

 containing about 12 per cent of protein, 12.4 per cent of fat, and 48.5 

 per cent of nitrogen-free extract are obtained. The oil extracted may 

 be used for various purposes. 



The nettle tree should be preferred to all other trees for replanting 

 woods, and offers means of rapidly covering bare ground with plant 

 growth. The speedy and large remuneration promised by its products 

 may serve as an attraction to private landowners who wish to help in 

 the regeneration of Italian forests. (Adapted from Annali della Regia 

 Scuola Superiore di AgriGOUura in Portici, 2d ser., vol. 13, p. 1.) 



48663. Celtis tala Gillies. Ulmacese. 



Tala. On the coast of the Atlantic and in the district of Tuyu immense 

 thickets of tala exist. It is a tree with a short, stout, branched trunk. 

 The wood is yellowish white and smooth ; it is used for posts and fire- 

 wood. (Adapted from Ventiiri and Lillo, Contribucion al G onocimiento de 

 los Arboles de la Argentina, p. 102.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 4228.5. 



48664. Cissus sicyoides L. Vitacese. 

 (Vitis sicyoides Miquel.) 



The leaves of this vine are cooked with tares and castor oil and used 

 as a poultice for abscesses. (Adapted from SacJc, Plantaardige Voort- 

 brengselen van Suriname, p. 42.) 



48665. CiSTUs candidissimus Dun. Cistacese. 



A beautiful rapid-growing evergreen shrub, with silvery-white leaves 

 and short-lived, pale rose-colored flowers, from the Canary Islands. It 

 is an ideal rockery plant. (Adapted from Flora and Sylva, vol. 2, p. 44-) 



48666. CisTus ladaniferus L. Cistacese. 



The gum cistus is the finest of the genus and one of the best and 

 hardiest of small shrubs. It is a handsome, bushy evergreen, from 4 to 



