11 
the characteristic incisions made in their "bark to 
obtain the varnish. A Roman Catholic Father told 
Trie that v/hen natives get a touch of poisoning they 
immediately take rape or radish leaves and rub the 
spot thoroughly with them. Tljen no effect results.' 
(Could the volatile oil in various cruciferae be 
an antidote to poisoning from poison ivy?) 
Then I heard that oil from hemp seeds ( Canna - 
bis sativa ) does not become solid even in very cold 
v/eather. If so, would it be fit to lubricate ma- 
chinery of aeroplanes? 
Around Chang yang, S. of Ichang, the tea-olive, 
psmanthus fragrans , is cultivated for its flowers. 
These flov/ers are packed fresh, in dry powdered 
alum, also in dry powdered sugar, and carried av/ay 
for long distances. A delightful perfume is made 
from them; they are used to flavor tea with and a 
very delicately perfumed preserve is made from 
them. The trees grow to be over 100 years old 
and its cultivation seems to be a paying one from 
the Chinese point of view. 
Well, these are a few observations I have to 
record. 
The more I travel around in Hupeh, the more I 
am impressed T/ith its immenseness, nothing hut 
mountains and valleys and hills and dales. Put 
the State of Montana across Georgia and neighboring 
States and you have some idea of topography and 
climate of Hupeh. No one man can ever cover this 
whole province on foot and really one cannot travel 
otherwise; there are no real roads, nothing but 
trails and accomodation and food-supplies of the 
poorest imaginable. 
As I am writing we hear the rickety noise of 
rifle fire, for Northern and Southern troops are 
at battle only a mile or so North of the city. 
That we do not live "at ease", you can easily 
imagine. 
Well, possibly this letter reaches you 0. K. 
The wild pear seeds received through Mr. Schlosser arrived 
on December 19, 1917, and were recorded under SPI Nos. 4559'^ 
and 45595. Four bags of Eucommia seeds were received on May 
9, 1918, and given SPI No. 46o6l. The wild chestnuts were 
received on February ?5, 1918, and given Nos. 45948 and 459^9. 
September '^1, 1918. 
