JANUARY 1 TO MARCH 31, 1921. 



79 



" The fruit is medium-sized, smooth, light green, appressed-pyriform, with 

 scattered spines which are more prominent toward the fissure. Rust-colored 

 irregular cracks appear in the skin. A cooking test of one of the two fruits 

 received showed the chayote to be of good quality, the flesh tending toward the 

 mealiness characteristic of the best Guatemalan types. The seed, however, is 

 surrounded by a very tough fibrous seed coat from which extend into the flesh 

 coarse fibers which render the removal of the flesh from the seed coat rather 

 difllcult." (L. G. Hoover.) 



52805. PisuM SATIVUM L. Fabacese. G-arden pea. 



From Bussum, Netherlands. Seeds presented by Dr. J. C. Th. Uphof, 

 plant breeder, Nederlandsche ifilitezaad Maatschappij. Received March 

 23, 1921. 



Mansholt kortstroo erwten (Mansholt short-straw peas)." {Uphof.) 

 A variety introduced for experimental work. 



52806 to 52809. 



From Southern Rhodesia. Seeds presented by W. L. Thompson, Ameri- 

 can Board Mission. Received March 29, 1921. Quoted notes by Mr. 

 Thompson. 



52806. Annona senegalensis Pers. Annonacese. 



"A really delicious fruit with a pronounced flavor." 

 For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 5190S, 



52807. Caixitbis whytei (Rendle) Engl. Pinacese. 



{Widdringtonia whytei Rendle.) 

 " Native cedar of this region. These seeds are from trees in our own 

 grounds." 



The Milan ji cypress was originally found at an altitude of 10,000 feet 

 on Mount Milan ji in Nyasaland by Alexander Whyte, It is a mag- 

 nificent tree reaching a height of 140 feet, sometimes with a clear straight 

 stem for 90 feet and a diameter of 5^ feet at 6 feet from the base. The 

 pistillate cones, crowded four to six together on a short lateral shoot, are 

 subglobose and about 1 inch wide when open. The staminate cones are 

 solitary and terminal. The pale reddish timber is of excellent quality 

 and easily worked. The bark on old trees is of great thickness, consist- 

 ing of layers annually shed and renewed. These fine trees are rapidly 

 disappearing before the forest fires, only those in damp gorges surviving. 

 (Adapted from Transactions of the Linnean Society, 2d ser., vol. 4, P- 60, 

 and from Gardeners' Chronicle, Sd ser., vol. 57, p. 18.) 



52808. Paeinaei cubtellaefolium Planch. Rosacea. 



" Seeds about the size of peach pits, from exceptionally large, fine 

 fruits weighing 1^ ounces each. Many tons of fruit were produced in 

 this region during the past season." 



A small or medium-sized tree with elliptic-oblong scabrid leaves, gla- 

 brescent above, tomentose beneath, 2 to 5 inches long. The tomentose 

 flower panicles are 3 to 6 inches long. The drupe, about the size of an 

 ordinary plum, has a mealy, not unpleasant taste. Native to Mozambique 

 and Upper Guinea. (Adapted from Oliver, Flora of Tropical Africa, 

 vol. 2, p. 368.) 



52809. (Undetermined.) 



" Seeds of one of our large timber trees which is 3 to 4 feet in diameter 

 and has cherrylike wood. The seeds are about the size and shape of 

 acoms; the flavor of the kernel reminds one of raw potatoes." 



