42 



SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



54269 to 54281— Continued. 



54269. Berberis quinduensis H. B. K. Berberidacese. Barberry. 



"(No. 622. Hacienda La Esperanza, near El Augel, Province of Carclii. 

 June 13, 1921.) Espino. Plants collected at an altitude of about 11,500 

 feet. This is one of tbe bandsomest of tbe wild barberries wbicb I bave 

 seen in Ecuador. It makes an arborescent shrub up to 10 or 12 feet 

 higb, and has large glossy, stiff dark-green leaves. The orange-yellow 

 flowers, which are produced in racemes about 3 inches long, are half 

 an inch broad. They are followed by small clusters of oval blue-black 

 fruits. The species is worthy of a trial as an ornamental." 



54270 to 54278. Persea Americana Mill. LauraceiE. Avocado. 

 (P. gratissima Gaertn. f.) 



54270. "(Nos. 612 and 626. Hacienda San Vicente, Ibarra, Ecuador. 

 May 28 and June 15, 1921.) Budwood of avocado No. 47, Tamayo." 



For previous introduction and description, see S. P. I. No. 53182. 



54271. "(Nos. 614 and 628. Ibarra, Ecuador. May 27 and June 15, 

 1921.) Budwood of avocado No. 49, Egas." 



For previous introduction and description, see S. P. I. No. 53183. 



54272. "(Nos. 615 and 629. Ibarra, Ecuador. May 28 and June 15, 

 1921.) Budwood of avocado No. 50, ChotaJ' 



For previous introduction and description, see S. P. I. No. 

 53184. 



54273. "(Nos. 616 and 630. Ibarra, Ecuador. May 27 and June 

 17, 1921.) Budwood of avocado No. 51, Carchi." 



For previous introduction and description, see S. P. I. No. 53185. 



54274. "(No. 631. Ibarra, Ecuador. June 16, 1921.) Cuttings of 

 avocado No. 52, Irumina. The parent tree stands in a huerta at 

 the Hacienda Irumina, only a few hundred feet from the house, 

 at an altitude of 6,200 feet. This variety, which appears to be of 

 the Mexican type, though the fruit is rather thick skinned for one 

 of that race, is notable for the excellent quality of its deep-yellow 

 flesh. The fruit is long and slender, not of very convenient form ; 

 it weighs about 10 ounces and has a medium-sized seed. While it 

 may not prove to be an avocado of great commercial value, it is 

 certainly worthy of a trial in California and Florida. 



" Formal description : The parent tree is about 50 feet high, 

 erect in habit, with a spread of about 30 feet. It is probably 20 

 years old if not more. The trunk is 18 inches thick at the base, 

 forked at 10 feet, and gives off lateral branches at 18 feet. It is 

 said to bear good crops. The leaves when crushed are faintly 

 anise scented. 



" The fruit is pyriform to very slender pyriform, necked ; weight 

 about 10 ounces, length 5 to 6 inches, greatest breadth 2^ to 2f 

 inches ; base tapering, often curved to one side ; stem inserted 

 centrally, apex rounded to broadly pointed; surface light green, 

 with numerous greenish yellow dots ; skin scarcely 0.5 millimeters 

 thick, rather firm and tough; flesh cream-yellow, pale green close 

 to the skin, with very few fiber markings, the flavor very rich, 

 nutty, and pleasant ; quality excellent ; seed conical, rather slender, 

 medium sized, loose or tight in the cavity. Main ripening season 

 at Irumina probably from December to March. 



" The season at which it will ripen in the United States can not 

 be ascertained without a trial in California and Florida." 



54275. "(No. 632. Ibarra, Ecuador. June 16, 1921.) Cuttings of 

 avocado No. 53, ImMhura. The parent tree stands in the huerta 

 at the Hacienda Irumina. only a few hundred feet from the bouse 

 and about 50 feet from tree No. 52, at an altitude of 6.200 feet. 

 This is a Mexican avocado of medium size (for that race), of good 

 quality, and in every way a desirable fruit, so far as can be 

 ascertained by a brief study of the variety. It will require a test 



