] 
1995 
Plants recently received, not yet available for distribution. 
cereus VAUDUS ( Cactaceae ) , 58988. From Nice, Francs. Seeds 
presented by Dr. A. Robertson Proschowsky. This picturesque, half- 
climbing cactus yields a fruit the size of a goose egg, entirely de- 
void of spines or spicules, pleasing magenta red in color, and of very 
good taste. Dr. Prochowsky remarks that he has seen no other fruit 
which is so "melting" in character, and that its flesh resembles the 
"snows" sold in Latin American countries, prepared by flavoring real 
enow or finely chopped ice with fruit juice and sugar. 
Very little attention has been given to this species in tropical 
America, and Dr. Proschowsky deserves credit for insisting that its 
economic value be recognized. For some reason cactus fruits are 
not so popular with North Americans as they are with the inhabitants 
of Latin American countries. The fruits of several Opuntias are 
highly esteemed in Mexico, not to mention those of one or two 
native species of Cereus. Their refreshing character makes them 
particularly grateful to persons living in hot, arid regions. 
CITRUS sinensis (Rutaceae), 58989. Orange. From Soledad, Cien- 
fuegos, Cuba. Budwood presented by R. M. Grey, superintendent, Cuban 
Gardens. "Harvard No. 1." In forwarding budwood of this orange, Mr. Grey 
says of it: "This is one of the best seedlings we have ever raised here, 
and it has been in cultivation for many years. The tree forms a compact 
head, with deep rich green foliage; it is drought-resistant and has borne 
splendid crops every year. The fruit is medium to large, starts to ripen 
early in November and remains firm and juicy until May. The skin is rich 
orange, of medium thickness; the flesh is of fine texture and quality, 
sweet in flavor and few-seeded." Orange growers in California and in 
Florida will be interested in testing this variety, 
which will have to be grown in quarantine at Washington, however, before it 
can be propagated and distributed to citrus-growing sections of the 
country. The danger of introducing bacterial or fungous diseases which 
might imperil the citrus industry has made this procedure necessary. 
MALUS sp. (Malaceae), 58975. Garraa apple. From Tripoli, North 
Africa. Budwood presented by Dr. B. 0. Fenzi. From the little known 
region of Tripoli our old correspondent, Dr. Fenzi, has sent us budwood 
of this interesting apple, which he describes as an extra early native 
variety called Garras. The fruit, which he says is of good size and 
very juicy, ripens at the same time as the earliest apricots. Since it 
comes from a hot semiarid region, this variety is worth testing in the 
Southwestern States and California, where it may prove of value as an 
early apple for sections where most of the standard American sorts can 
not be grown successfully. 
