JULY 1 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1921. 



19 



54017. Attalea cohune Mart. Phoenicaceae. Cohune palm. 



From Stann Creek, British Honduras. Seeds presented by J. M. Sutton, 

 Washington, D. C., who obtained them from Maxwell Riddle, American 

 Palm Products Co., Ravenna, Ohio. Received August 11, 1921. 



The fruit of this palm contains a kernel which yields about 40 per cent of an 

 oil that is said to be superior to coconut oil. The cohune grows in the region 

 between southern Mexico and Colombia and atta ns its best development in 

 British Honduras, Guatemala, and the Honduras Republic. In the latter 

 country the soil of the forests is rich, marly, and of excellent quality. The 

 trees grow about 5 yards apart and the fruits form enormous bunches which 

 sometimes weigh as much as 165 pounds. The average yield of one tree is 

 1,000 nuts per annum, though some specimens will produce twice as many. 

 By means of ether rather more than 40 per cent of oil can be extracted 

 from the kernel ; the cake contains 2.5 per cent of nitrogen and can be used 

 as cattle food. Cohune oil saponifies easily and furnishes an odorless soap 

 which may prove to be useful in the manufacture of fine soap. When freed 

 from fiber the fruit is 2 to 2^ inches long and about 11 inches across. The 

 shell is very hard and is about one-fourth of an inch thick, while the kemel is 

 the size of a large nutmeg. Houses are thatched with the leaves of this palm ; 

 the leafstalks are woven with osiers and cord into fences and mats ; the 

 pith of the central stem can be used instead of cork for mounting insects ; cord 

 and hammocks are made from the fibers of the young leaves. The sap makes 

 a refreshing drink. (Adapted from La Hacienda^ vol. 11, pp. 376-379.) 



54018 to 54027. Saccharum officinarum L. Poacese. 



Sugar cane. 



From Passoeroean, Java. Cuttings presented by Dr. Ph. van Harreveld, 

 director, Sugar Experiment Station. Received August 24, 1921. Quoted 

 notes by Doctor van Harreveld. 



" Free from yellow-stripe disease and sereh disease." 



54018. ''No. 36 POJ.'' 54023. "No. 862 POJ." 



54019. ''No. 100 POJ." 54024. "No. 979 POJ." 



54020. "No. 139 POJ.'' 54025. "No. 1228 POJ:' 



54021. "No. 213 POJ.'* 54026. "No. 2379 POJ." 



54022. "No. 228 POJ." 54027. " Kassoer." 



54028. Prunus glandulosa Thunb. Amygdalacese. Plum. 



From Rochester, N. Y. Seeds presented by John Dunbar, assistant super- 

 intendent. Department of Parks. Received August 26, 1921. 



"A spreading shrub with many slender twigs, growing to a height of 3 to 5 

 feet ; it flowers early in spring with a multitude of small rosy white flowers, 

 which are followed by an abundance of small fruits of purple-black color and 

 of fresh sour taste. These tiny cherries make excellent preseiTes. Chinese 

 name, gai yuen tao (dwarf diminutive peach)." (F. N. Meyer.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 46003. 



54029 to 54031. Triticum aestivum L. Poacese. Common 

 (T. vuJgare Till.) [wheat. 



From Buenos Aires, Argentina. Seeds presented by Sr. Carlos D. Girola, 

 Director Honorario del Museo Agricola de la Sociedad Rural. Received 

 August 30, 1921. Quoted notes by Sr. Girola. 



54029. "Universal {Triticum sativum L. var. aristatum subvar. uni- 

 versal Gir.), from Baigorrita in the Province of Buenos Aires." 



54030. " Barleta, from Medanos in the Province of Buenos Aires." 



54031. " Favorito {Triticum sativum L. var. muticum subvar. favorito 

 Gir.), from Baigorrita in the Province of Buenos Aires." 



