The following are some of the more important plant 
industries v/hich Mr. Meyer will he expected to investigate 
in southern China: 
The litchi is one of the most important fruit trees 
of South China. Introduced litchi trees fruited at Santa 
Barhara, California, in 1914, and this year plants which 
we introduced have fruited at Oneco, near Tampa, Florida, 
and in Cuba, and it is apparent that the tree when once 
it becomes established is going to stand light frosts. 
How low a temperature it will withstand is not yet defin- 
itely known. Information from missionaries indicates that 
in the southeastern provinces which we wish Mr, Meyer to 
explore are to be found the hardiest of all the litchi 
varieties, whereas in the Island of Hainan are to be found 
many fine flavored sorts, accounts of which we have re- 
ceived from Augustine Henry and others. 
The short-lived character of the seeds of the litchi, 
many having abortive seeds, as well as the great ntunber of 
named sorts, makes it important for an expert to secure 
grafted trees and ship them in Wardian cases, and at the 
same time investigate the diseases of the litchi and make 
sure that only healthy trees are imported. Mr, Meyer is 
xinusually expert in shipping and packing plants and has 
proved his keen powers of observation when it comes to the 
diseases of trees, as evidenced by his discovery of the 
chestnut bark disease, 
July 25, 1916, 
