12 



SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



50679 to 50681— Continued. 



to be, in this country, between 2,000 and 3,000 or 3,500 feet and ^vhe^•e 

 the rainfall is not great. It does not appear to be particular as regards 

 soil. 



•* The fruit contains about 40 per cent of carbohydrates, and ac- 

 cording to an analysis made in San Jose, one pound of the flesh repre- 

 sents 1,096 calories of eftergy, which entitles the pejibaye to serious 

 consideration as a food plant. All in all, it seems to me that ir 

 should be widely planted in tropical regions. In the United States, 

 it may perhaps succeed in southern Florida, but the climate of Cali- 

 fornia is probably too cool for it." 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 44268, 



50680. Peksea Americana Mill. Lauraceae. Avocado. 

 (P. gratissima Gaertn. f.) 



"(Nos. 382 and 395. May 27, 1920, and June 9, 1920. Cuttings of 

 Avocado No. 42, from the residence of Margarita Munoz, 4a Avenida 

 Este and 5a Calle Sur, San Jose.) This avocado was called to my 

 attention by Don Anastasio Alfaro, Director of the National Museum. 

 He recommends it as one of the finest known to him, and a variety . 

 of unusually late ripening season. The parent tree, which stands 

 in a small back yard, about 10 feet from a house, is 30 feet high, slender 

 in form, with a straight trunk 15 inches thick at the base, branched 8 

 feet above the ground. At this time (June, 1920) the fruits are not 

 half grown, but judging by their present kppearance and a plaster of 

 Paris model made last year by Sr. Alfaro, it is possible to say that 

 the form is oval to broad pyriforni and that it is up to one pound 

 in weight. The color is said to be green, the seed not unreasonably 

 large, and the flesh of excellent quality. The season of ripening is 

 September to November, sometimes to December. Most of the avocados 

 in this region ripen in August and September. The tree is a heavy 

 bearer, the fruits sometimes being produced in clusters of two or three." 



50681. RuBus sp. Rosacese. Blackberry. 

 "(No. 390a. June 7, 1920.) A wild blackberry which occurs in the 



vicinity of San .Jose. The seeds sent under this number are from fruits 

 purchased in the market. This species produces fruits about an inch 

 long, in form and general character resembling the cultivated blackber- 

 ries of the North. The quality is fairly good, though the flavor is a 

 trifle too acid. Of interest principally to those engaged in breeding new 

 forms of blackberries." 



50682 to 50685. 



From San Jose. Costa Rica. Collected by Wilson Popenoe. Agricultural 

 Explorer of the United States Department of Agriculture. Received June 

 15, 1920. Quoted notes by Mr. Popenoe. 



50682. Chayota eduxis Jacq. Cucurbitaceiv. Chayote. 

 {Sechium edule Swartz.) 



"(No. 380a. May 27, 1920.) A good variety of chayote from the San 

 Jose market. . The fruits are broadly obovoid in form, nearly round, 

 about 3 inches long, and waxy white. There are a few short spines on 

 the surface," 



