16 



SEEDS AXD PLANTS IMPORTED. 



53989. Gatalpa buxgei Meyer. Bignoniacese. 



From Nanking, Kiangsii, China. Seeds presented by J. L. Buck, acting 

 dean, College of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Nanking. Re- 

 ceived August 17, 1921. 



" Seeds collected in the first Kiangsu Provincial Forest Station, Ming Tomb, 

 Nanking. A tree with white pink-dotted flowers which are edible when cooked. 

 The bark and leaves are used in medicine. The soft, light wood is easily split 

 when newly cut, but durable when thoroughly dried: it is used mostly for 

 building purposes and for making furniture, carts, coffins, window sashes, and 

 for carving. It would probably be valuable for fence posts." (Buck.) 



53990 to 53995. 



From Ecuador. Collected by Wilson Popenoe, Agricultural Explorer of 

 the Department of Agriculture. Received August 15, 1921. Quoted 

 notes by Mr. Popenoe. 



53990. AxANAs SATivus Schult. f. Bromeliacere. Pineapple. 



"(No. 641. Milagro, near Guayaquil, Ecuador. July 20, 1921.) Mila- 

 gro pineapple. Plants from the Hacienda Yaldez, near Milagro, about 

 35 kilometers from Guayaquil. 



" The pineapples of Guayaquil have long been famous in tropical 

 America for their superior quality. They are cultivated commercially 

 in the vicinity of Milagro, whence they are brought to the port in large 

 quantities. A few are sent down the coast to Peru. As far as I can 

 see, the variety is either Smooth Cayenne or very close to it; on the 

 chance that it is not identical I am sending these suckers, which should 

 be tested in Hawaii and Porto Rico. 



" The plant is vigorous, with smooth leaves reaching up to 3 feet in 

 length. The fruits, which sometimes weigh as much as 8 or 10 pounds 

 but more commonly do not exceed 4 pounds, are oblong to oblong-oval 

 in form, slightly narrower toward the apex than at the base. When 

 ripe they are green on the surface ; the flesh is white, very abundantly 

 juicy, of tender, melting texture, and of delicately aromatic, sweet, very 

 agreeable flavor. This is an excellent pineapple for use as a dessert 

 fruit. I am inclined to think that it may prove to have slightly better 

 shippmg qualities than the strain of Smooth Cayenne which has been 

 grown in Florida." 



53991. Fuchsia sp. Onagracese. 



"(No. 637a. From La R'nconada, Ecuador. June 10, 1921.) Seeds 

 of Zarcillejo. A half-climbing wild shrub from the mountains of Carchi 

 Province, where it grows at altitudes of 10,000 to 12.000 feet. It bears 

 handsome scarlet flowers about 2 inches long and should be sufl5ciently 

 hardy for cultivation in California." 



53992. Salvia sagittata Ruiz and Pav. Menthaceae. Sage. 



"(No. 636a. Road between Cayambe and Ibarra, Ecuador. May 20, 

 1921.) Seeds of a handsome blue-flowered salvia from the road in the 

 mountains between Cayambe and Ibarra in northern Ecuador, where it 

 grows abundantly at altitudes of 8.000 to 9,000 feet. The plant is 

 slender and reaches 3 feet in height; the deep-blue flowers, about 1^ 

 inches long, are produced in considerable numbers and make the species 

 worthy of a trial in the United States." 



53993. SoLANUM BREViroLiTJM Humb. and Bonpl. Solanacese. 



"(No. 639a. From La Rinconada, Ecuador. June 5. 1921.) Seeds 

 of a slender, attractive climbing plant from the high paramo near the 

 Hacienda La Rinconada, in the Province of Carchi, where it grows at 

 altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet. Its leaves are small and abundantly 

 produced ; the flowers are white, star shaped, half an inch broad, and 

 are followed by roundish, deep orange-colored fruits up to an inch long. 

 The slender stems send out adventitious roots, which enable them to 

 cling with security to tree trunks and large rocks. The species may 

 be useful in California and Florida to cover walls and fences. It is a 



