24 



SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



52422 to 52424. Datura metel L. Solanaceae. Datura* 



From Goa, Portuguese India. Seeds presented by P. Correia Affonso. Re- 

 ceived January 21, 1921. 



52422. "A plant which has been used for centuries by the Hindus, Per- 

 sians, Arabs, and other oriental peoples as a narcotic. In India, 

 Datura doctors dispensed these seeds which are often used by thugs 

 and other criminals to render their victims unconscious, dispensing it 

 clandestinely with food or drink. Goa may be regarded as the type 

 locality of this species. At least three different forms occur, chiefly 

 distinguished from one another by the color of the stems and flowers, 

 and also by the presence or absence of prickles on the capsules. All 

 normal forms are characterized by 5-toothed trumpet-shaped corollas 

 and globose, tuberculate, or spiny capsules which differ from those 

 of our common Datura stramonium in being borne on inclined or nod- 

 ding, instead of erect, peduncles and in not being regularly dehiscent." 

 (W. E. Safford.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 43774. 



52423. This may possibly be a different color from S. P. I. No. 52422. 



52424. Possibly a different form from the foregoing. 



52425 and 52426. Holcus sorghum L. Poacese. Sorghum. 

 (Sorghum vulgare Pers.) 

 From Johannesburg, Transvaal. Seeds presented by the Agricultural Sup- 

 ply Association. Numbered January, 1921. Quoted notes by H. N. Vinall. 

 *• The results of tests at Chillicothe, Tex., in 1921, indicated that these two lots 

 were not equal either in yield or quality to the regular strains of Blackhull 

 kafir. As forage they would be classed as medium, and the seed yield was 

 about average. The plants grew to a height of 5^ feet, a little taller than our 

 ordinary Blackhull kafir." 



52425. "The plants of this lot had 13 leaves, being therefore slightly 

 better than the No. 52426 for forage." 



52426. " The plants of this lot had 11 leaves." 



52427 to 52431. Saccharum officinarum L. Poacese. 



Sugar cane. 



From Florida. Seeds presented through Dr. E. W. Brandes, Pathologist, 

 Office of Sugar-Plant Investigations, United States Department of Agri- 

 culture, Washington, D. C. Received January 29, 1921. 



52427. Ghristal, from J. W. Ives, Kreamer Island, Fla.. For experi- 

 mental purposes. 



52428. D-lJt, from J. A. McGee, Ritta Island, Fla. For experimental 

 purposes. 



"A sugar cane of medium size, early maturing, imported from Dem- 

 erara by the Louisiana Sugar-Experiment Station, and now one of 

 the most popular varieties in Louisiana for sugar manufacture." (P. A, 

 Yoder.) 



52429. D-74, from A. H. Price, South Bay, Fla. For experimental pur- 

 poses. 



52430. D-74, from H. A. Braddock, Tory Island, Fla. For experimental 

 purposes. 



