634 
NICOTIANA RUSTICA. ( Solanaceae . ) 34820. Seeds of 
tobacco from St. Petersburg, Russia. Presented by the 
Director of Agriculture. Seeds of several strains of this 
species have been secured for the use of various tobacco 
growers interested in producing the best nicotine-yielding 
strains for the manufacture of commercial nicotine. For 
distribution later. 
PERSEA AMERICANA. (Lauraceae.) 34855-856, 34904. 
Cuttings of avocados from Merida, Mexico. Presented by 
Mr. G. N. Collins, of this Bureau. From trees reported 
to be of unusual quality. For distribution later. 
PHASEOLUS SPP. (Fabaceae.) 34888-900. Seeds of 
beans from Merida, Mexico. Presented by Mr. G. N. Collins 
of this Bureau who procured them in the Merida markets. 
Thirteen species and varieties of native beans. For dis- 
tribution later. 
SOLANUM SP. (Solanaceae.) 34866. Tubers of potato 
from near Guatrache, Argentina. Presented by Mr. W. F. 
Wight, of this Bureau. "These tubers came from near 
Guatrache, Argentina, where there has been practically no 
rain since last May. It Is said the Indians eat them raw 
and while the taste is agreeable enough at first I can't 
say the taste later is particularly good." (Wight.) For 
distribution later. 
STERCULIA QUADRIFIDA. ( Sterculiaceae . ) 34873. Seeds 
from Australia. Presented by Mr. James Pink, Wellington 
Point, near Brisbane, Queensland. "An umbrageous tree 
producing its seeds in large pods which when ripe are a 
brilliant crimson color containing black seeds which are 
sometimes eaten by children. When ripe the pods burst 
open and their bright crimson color contrasting with the 
black seeds gives the tree a very handsome and striking 
appearance." (Pink.) For distribution later. 
STEVIA REBAUDIANA. ( Asteraceae . ) 34883. Seeds from 
Villarica, Paraguay. Presented by Sr. Carlos Mahaux. 
"This Paraguayan herb is of peculiar interest because of 
the very large saccharin content in the leaves. A tiny 
fragment placed on the tongue seems as sweet as a lump of 
sugar of similar size. Several years ago the discovery 
that this plant, then called Eupatorium contained a sub- 
stance many times sweeter than sugar, was heralded by the 
press and excited the keen interest of sugar planters all 
over the world. The substance turned out to be a glycerine 
