APRIL 1 TO JUNE 30, 1921. 



29 



53115 to 53118. 



From Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Seeds collected by Victor O. Fletcher. 



Newnham Post Office, near Launceston, and presented by L. A. Evans, 

 acting Director of Agriculture. Received April 30, 1921. Quoted notes 

 by Mr. Evans. 



" The soil here is very fertile, but the rainfall is only 14 inches, and we 

 have no recognized rainy season." 



53115. Danthonia setacea R. Br. Poacese. Wallaby grass. 

 "A valuable fodder plant if properly cultivated." 



Wallaby grass, a perennial grass useful for artificial mixed pasture; 

 it is principally valuable in the spring. (Adapted from Maiden, Useful 

 Native Plants of Australia, p. 82.) 



53116. Festuca bromoides L. Poacese. Fescue grass. 



A slender tufted annual up to 1 foot high, with a one-sided, slender 

 panicle 2 to 6 inches long. (Adapted from Bailey, Queensland Flora, pt. 

 6, p. 1917.) 



53117. PoA sp. Poacese. Spear grass. 

 " Cattle grass." 



53118. Themeda triandba Forsk. Poacese. Rooi grass. 



One of the commonest grasses of the drier regions of Africa and a 

 most valuable fodder grass. (Adapted from Prain, Flora of Tropical 

 Africa, vol. 9, pt. 3, p. 416.) ' 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 48787. 

 53119. MusA sp. Musacese. Banana. 



From Mount Silinda, Melsetter, Southern Rhodesia, Africa. Shoots pre- 

 sented by Dr. W. L. Thompson, American Board Mission in South 

 Africa. Received May 4, 1921. 



"A variety of banana, obtained from the natives, different from any I have 

 ever seen elsewhere. We prize it for its eating qualities, although it is a poor 

 yielder. We imagine that it may have a larger percentage of proteins than 

 ordinary bananas, but have no real proof of it. It may require more tropical 

 conditions for best development." (Thompson.) 



53120 and 53121. 



From Dibrugarh, Assam. Seeds collected by J. F. Rock, Agricultural Ex- 

 plorer of the Department of Agriculture. Received May 4, 1921. Quoted 

 notes by Mr. Rock. 



53120. Caryota sp. Phcenicacese. Palm. 



"(Collected in Dibrugarh, along the Brahmaputra River, Assam, 

 February 19, 1921.) This palm, TO to 80 feet high, is cultivated in 

 Dibrugarh and grows wild on tlie banks of the Brahmaputra near the 

 Himalayan foothills. It is quite different from Caryota nrens, especially 

 in its stature; it is much taller, the trunk being 40 feet high. The 

 leaves are shorter but are arranged spirally on the trunk, giving the 

 whole palm a curious appearance. The palm does not die after flower- 

 ing, as is the case with C. urens. The fruiting panicles are much 

 shorter, and the fruits are yellowish when ripe." 



53121. Gynocardia odorata R. Br. Flacourtiacese. 



False chaulm-oogra tree. 



"(Collected in tlie Bherjan forest, 7 miles from Rangagora in north- 

 eastern Assam. February 22, 1921.) Lemtam. A tall, handsome tree 

 found in certain forest tracts of northeastern Assam, with dark-green 

 foliage and pendent branches. The trunk is often over a foot in di- 

 ameter and 60 to 70 feet in height. The bark is lenticellate, while 

 that of Taraktogenos Icurzii is smooth. The large spherical depressed 

 fruits are borne on the funk and branches, while those of T. Tcurzii 



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