OCTOBER 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 1921. 



25 



54551 and 54552. 



From Horqueta, Paraguay. Seeds presented by Thomas R. Gwynn, through 

 Harry Campbell, American consul, Asuncion, Paraguay. Received No- 

 vember 14, 1921. 



54551. Chortsia speciosa St. Hil. Bombacacese. 



"A regular, beautifully formed tree 20 feet high, abundant in Argentina 

 as far north as Formosa and in the river provinces of Parnguay. The 

 boll is 4^ inches in diameter and 6 inches long. The yellow fiber, called 

 Samahu or Samuy, and similar to the best Javan kapok, is used to a 

 limited extent for stuffing pillows and can be used commercially for life 

 preservers, jackets, water wings, mattresses, etc. The tree has resisted 

 3° C. without injury to its flowers, although the bolls require hot sun. 

 It is one of the most promising plants for cultivation in the warmer 

 parts of the United States and is probably hardier than kapok." (L. H. 

 Dewey. ) 



54552. Cyptiomandra sp. Solanaceai. 



''Aguaraya (fox fruit). A bush very like the eggplant, except that all 

 the stems and underside of the leaves are covered with short stout 

 thorns. The fruit is the shape and size of a big Stone tomato, light 

 green, thin skinned, and the seed bunched in the center; the meat is 

 abundant, cream colored, and tastes like a Brazilian mango de oro. The 

 plant is very sensitive to frost." {Gwynn.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 39336. 



54553. Penxisetum oriextale triflorum (Xees) Stapf. Poacese. 



Himalaya grass. 



From Kingston, Jamaica. Seeds presented by W. S. Goodman, acting 

 superintendent, Hope Gardens. Received November 10, 1921. 



"Called Himalaya grass in the West Indies and reputed to be a good fcrage. 

 Typical Pennisetum orientale is regarded as a good fodder grass in Baluchis- 

 tan." (C.V. Piper.) 



54554 and 54555. Amerimnox latifolium (Koxb.) Kuntze. 



(Dalbergia lati folia Roxb.) [Fabacese. 



Shisham. 



From British India. Seeds presented by C. P. Hartley. Received Novem- 

 ber 25, 1921. Quoted notes by Mr. Hartley. 



" Seeds of a tree that may possibly be of economic value in the southern 

 United States. In Java the tree grows rapidly, outgrowing and suppressing 

 teak on some of the poor soils of eastern Java. The wood is heavier and 

 stronger than teak and is used for furniture, tool handles, and other exacting 

 work, most of the carving in the market here being done on Dalbergia (sono 

 kling). The heart is beautiful purple-brown on a fresh cut, changing to 

 nearly black-brown after exposure to the air. The chief limitation on its 

 usefulness is its hardness. From the silvicultural standpoint its remarkable 

 root-sprouting capacity is of interest. In Java it practically never produces 

 seed, reproduction being easily obtained on cut-over areas by wounding the 

 roots of the old trees. I imported this seed from British India in the hope 

 of getting a strain resistant to the local canker disease that affects the quality 

 of the timber here. There is some reason to suspect that, with teak, this tree 

 may have been introduced from British India in the days of the Hindu king- 

 doms here." 



54554. From Belgaum, Bombay Presidency." 



54555. " From Chikalda, ^lelghat Forest Division, Central Provinces." 



54556 to 54560. 



From Malanzhe, Angola, Africa. Seeds collected by John Gossweiler and 

 presented by H. A. Longworth, agricultural missionary, Methodist 

 Episcopal Church. Received November 25, 1921. 



