1^ APKIL. 1 TO JUNE 30, 1921. 91 



53845. Salvadora persica L. Salvadoracese. 



From Khartum, Sudan, Africa. Seeds presented by R. E. Massey, Govern- 

 ment botanist. Received June 27, 1921. 



A shrub or small tree easily reproduced from seed, though of slow growth, 

 common on the shores of Lake Chad and growing in dense clumps from 3 to 

 10 feet high near Shibam. Hadramaut, etc. The twigs are used ns a tooth 

 cleanser by the natives of Portuguese East Africa. The wood is white and soft 

 and weighs about 45 pounds per cubic foot. The shoots and leaves are pungent. 

 They are eaten as salad and given as fodder to camels; the fruits, bitter, 

 pungent, and aromatic, are used with the leaves and shoots as a relish. The 

 root bark is acrid and vesicant. The seed contains about 45 per cent of fat, 

 suitable for the manufacture of candles. A vegetable salt called kegr is ob- 

 tained from the ash of this plant in northern Nigeria. The seed cake is useful 

 as a manure ; analysis shows that it contains nitrogen 4.8 per cent, potash 2.8 

 per cent, and phosphoric acid 1 per cent. (Adapted from Holland, Useful 

 Plants of Nigeria, pt. 3, p. 427.) 



For previous Introduction, see S. P. I. No. 7802. 



53846. Solanum commersonii Dunal. Solanaceae. Wild potato. 



From Montevideo, Uruguay. Tubers presented by Sr. Luis Guillot, Direc- 

 ci6n General de Paseos Publicos. Received June 28, 1921. 



"A Solanum with angled stems and leaves 4 to 8 inches long with two to 

 four pairs of leaflets, the terminal one somewhat larger. The corolla is white 

 or pale violet, pubescent on the outer surface. Native to eastern Argentina 

 and Uruguay, usually in moist situations." (TF. F. Wight.) 



For discussion of exi>eriments ^^ith this species in France, see Labergerie, 

 Une Nouvelle Pomme de Terre (Solanum commersonii) , Revue Horticole, 

 vol. 78, p. 303). 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 17054. 



53847. RuBus mackaei xV. Gray. Rosacese. Akala, 



From Mauna Kea, Hawaii. Cuttings collected by J. F. Rock, Agricultural 

 Explorer of the Department of Agriculture. Received June 7. 1921. 



"The Hawaiian giant raspberry, reddish black to purple variety, from an 

 altitude of 4,500 feet, on the Shipman Ranch, Mauna Loa. Hawaii, Mav 13, 

 1921." (Rock.) 



For introduction of roots, see S. P. I. No. 53760. 



For an illustration of the fruit of this raspberry, see Plate VI. 



53848. Hyphaene thebatca (L.) Mart. Phcenicaceae. 



Doum palm. 



Received through the United States Department of State, June 24, 1921. 



A palm 25 feet high, distributed from Upper Egypt to central Africa. The 

 stems of old trees are sometimes forked three or four times. The yellowish 

 brown, beautifully colored fruits are borne in long clusters of one to two hun- 

 dred. In Upper Egypt the poorer classes eat the fibrous, mealy fruit husk, 

 which tastes much like gingerbread, but is rather hard and husky. The hard 

 tough wood is used for domestic utensils. (Adapted from Lindley and Moore,. 

 Treasury of Botany, vol. 2, p. 612.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 51440. 



53849. PiNus massoniaxa Lambert. Pinacese. Pine. 



From Hongkong. Ch'na. Seeds collected by J. F. Rock, Agricultural Ex- 

 plorer of the Department of Agriculture. Received June 1, 1921. 



" The Hongkong pine, the most common tree of the island of Hongkong, 

 growing well on sandy soil and much planted to check erosion. It is a rare 

 pine and sparingly cultivated in America. Suited for northern Florida. Col- 

 lected April, 1921." (Rock.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 34548. 



