1852 
selected from the Hawaiian purple-skinned yam, S.P.I. No. 46768. The 
purple layer, just beneath the outer skin, was very thin and sharply 
defined in the selected tuber, - and the flesh of the tuber was white 
and of good quality when cooked. Yams of the purple-skinned type vary 
considerably with respect to the thickness of the purple layer and 
also in quality, and it is still to be determined whether this selec- 
tion will remain constant." (R. A. Young.) 
dioscorea pentaphylla (Dioscoreaceae) , 55924. Yam. From Aulnay- 
sous-Boi8, France. Tubers presented by Prof. R. de Noter, Ecole d'Accli- 
matation & de Recherches Agricoles. Variety Hortorum. " 'Igname ronde 
de Chine' (round yam of China). The tubers made the first season, from 
plants grown from 'eyes' dug and replanted, weigh l£ kg. each; the 
second year the tuber may weigh 4 to 5 kg. The plant requires light 
sandy clay or, better , calcareous , richly fertilized soil. The tubers 
are gathered at the first frost and stored in the cellar. Two years' 
storage does not injure but improves the tubers. This yam is an ex- 
cellent vegetable of delicate flavor and makes delicious fritters, 
cakes, and souffles. The leaves, after harvest, are used as cattle 
feed." (de Noter.) 
diospyros spp. (Diospyraceae) , 56090, 56132 to 56134. Persimmon. 
From Yunnan, China. Seeds collected by J. F. Rock, Agricultural Ex- 
plorer of the Bureau of Plant Industry. Quoted notes by Mr. Rock. 
56090. diospyros sp. "(October 3, 1922.) A tree 35 feet high 
with a large spreading, crown, which grows half wild on the hillsides 
near Shayang 2 days east of Yungchang. The edible persimmons, the size 
of a tennis ball, are orange-yellow and are very sweet and delicious," 
56132. diospyros sp. "(No. 2872. Puerhfu. November 1, 1922.) 
A large tree 60 feet in height, with a huge spreading crown. Accord- 
ing to Miss Clara Petersen, who sent me the seeds, the fruits are small 
and very sweet. This is also a fine shade tree." 
56133. diospyros sp. "(No. 6717. October 23, 1922.) A wild 
persimmon tree 20 to 25 feet high, which grows in dense forests between 
Menglieh and Manchi at an altitude of 6,000 feet. The very numerous 
oblong, yellow fruits are the size of crab apples and sweet." 
56134. diospyros sp. "(No. 6719. October, 1922.) A tree 35 
feet high with few ascending branches, found on the summit ridge on 
the road from Hsiangta to Manchi, 4 days southeast of Tengyueh, at an 
altitude of 7,000 feet. The oblong, velvety, rich yellow fruits are 
large for a wild species, being 2 inches in diameter, and the very 
sweet flesh incloses large seeds." 
fraxinus micrantha (Oleaceae), 55993. Ash. From Dehra Dun, 
India. Seeds presented by R. S. Hole, forest botanist. An Himalayan 
