50 



SEEDS AXD PLANTS IMPORTED. 



The kawai can be grown in districts too wet for the finer varieties of the 

 yam, and it is not attacked by the leaf fungus Gloeosporium postis which at- 

 tacks yams, particuhirly the better varieties, and is very severe in wet years. 

 Good land is necessary for a good crop, and it must be well drained. 



No insect pests or fungous diseases were found to damage the plant during 

 1916 to 1919. 



The koicai can be either boiled or roasted, and. as with the potato, it is best 

 not to remove the skin before cooking. A tliorough cleaning is the only prepara- 

 tion necessary. (Adapted from Agricultural Circular, Fiji, vol. 1, p. S6.) 



54310. Coix LACRYMA-jOBi MA-YUEN (Eom.) Stapf. Poacese. 



Ma-yuen. 



From Manila, Philipi*ine Islands. Seeds presented by Sr. Adn. Hernandez, 

 director, Bureau of Agriculture. Received September 23, 1921. 



"A newly domesticated variety grown in Occidental Negros Province, Philip- 

 pine Islands, where no disease is reported." {Arsenio Goco, plant inspector.) 



" Our experiments have shown this to be a promising cereal for the Tropics." 

 (Hernandez.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 49798. 



54311. Dexdrccalamus longispathus Kurz. Poaceae. Bamboo. 



From Dehra Dun, United Provinces, India. Seeds presented by R. S. 

 Hole, forest botanist. Received September 7, 1921. 



A large handsome species with tufted glaucous-green culms up to 60 feet high, 

 the upper brancaes bearing smooth lanceolate yellow-ribbed leaves the under 

 surface of which is rough and glaucescent or sometimes almost white. The 

 internodes are up to 2 feet long with walls 5 inches thick. The si)ecies comes 

 nearest Dendrocalamus hamiltonii but is easily recognized by its long fragile 

 papery culm sheaths densely hairy on the back, and by the large panicles of 

 small flower heads and blunt spikelets. One of its local Burmese names is 

 " wa-ya " (stinging bamboo), for the hairs on the sheath are especially irritat- 

 ing. Although native to eastern Bengal and Burma, chiefly along streams, it 

 has been cultivated in Calcutta, Malabar, etc.. but the culms are not very 

 strong, and as a building material it is generally inferior to many other kinds. 

 (Adapted from Annals of the Royal Botanic Garden, Calcutta, vol. 7, p. 89.) 



54312 to 54318. 



From Jujuy, Argentina. Collected by D. S. Bullock, agricultural trade 

 adviser. Bureau of ^Markets and Crop Estimates. United States Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture. Received September 24, 1921. 



54312 to 54315. Solanum tubekosum L. Solanacese. Potato. 



" Tubers bought at INIarket Place, Jujuy, Argentina, August 1, 1921." 

 (D. S. Bullock.) 



54312. No. 1. 54314. No. 3. 



54313. No. 2. 54315. No. 4. 



54316. OxALis TTJBEEOSA Moliua. Oxalidacese. Oca. 



'* Seeds of papa oca bought at Market Place, Jujuy, Argentina. Said 

 to grow at an altitude of 9,000 feet." (D. S. Bullock.) 



54317 and 54318. Zea mays L. Poacese. Corn. 



Seeds introduced for experimental purjwses. 

 54317. No. 1. 54318, No. 2. 



54319. Hydxocarpus wightiana Blume. Flacourtiacese. 



From Sibpur, near Calcutta, India. Seeds presented by Lieut. Col. A. T. 



Gage, director. Royal Botanic Garden. Received September 30, 1921. 



