1228 
practised in order to obtain the best fruit. The tree 
is readily propagated by seed if sown fresh. The large 
fleshy seed is of short vitality, and germinates in 
seven to eight days. (Adapted from Macmillan, Hand- 
book of Tropical Gardening and Planting.) 
Garcinia mangostana L. (Clusiaceae . ) 45180. Mangosteen. 
From Dominica, British West Indies. Presented by Mr. 
Joseph Jones, Curator, Botanic Gardens. A moderate- 
sized conical tree, with large leathery leaves, in- 
digenous to Malaya. Its globular purplish brown fruit, 
about the size of an apple, is famed as one of the 
most delicious fruits of the tropics. The delicate 
white juicy pulp surrounding and adhering to the seed 
Is the part eaten. In striking contrast to it is the 
dense, thick, reddish rind, containing tannic acid 
and a dye. The tree is of very slow growth and does 
not usually come into bearing till about nine or ten 
years old. The essential conditions for it are a hot, 
moist climate, and deep, rich well-drained soil. Prop- 
agation Is usually by seed, but may also be effected 
by "gootee" or layering. (Adapted from Macmillan, 
Handbook of Tropical Gardening and Planting.) This 
office has imported several other species of Garcinia 
with the object of finding a suitable stock for the 
mangosteen on which will make the culture of this re- 
markable tree possible over a wide range of soils. 
Some of these stocks wintered through the Florida 
freeze of 1917 when the thermometer went to 26° F. 
and are now growing satisfactory. (Fairchlld.) 
Ipomoea reptans (L.)Poiret. (Convolvulaceae .) 45184. 
From China. Collected by Mr. Frank N. Meyer, Agri- 
cultural Explorer for this Department. "(No. 2387a. 
Wuchang, Hupeh, China. June 15, 1917.) The Kuan t»'ai, 
an annual herb, is cultivated by the Chinese as a hot 
weather leaf -vegetable, and is prepared and eaten much 
like spinach. It is usually sown in rows at intervals 
during the spring and summer to insure a continuous 
supply of greens. It thrives best in a rather wet 
heavy soil, and withstands being submerged (even for 
several days) without injury. The foliage resembles 
that of the sweet potato a good deal, but the roots 
are not fleshy. The young shoots are cut at intervals 
until the plants become exhausted. The white or pale 
rose-colored flowers appear in July and August, and 
shortly after flowering the plants set a good supply 
