640 
ALYS I CARPUS SPP. (Fabaceae.) 34931-933. Seeds from 
Poona, India. Presented by Mr. W. Burns, Economic Botanist, 
through Mr. C. V. Piper, of this Bureau. Three species of 
legumes, related species of which are considered among the 
best Indian grazing plants. For distribution later. 
AMYGDALUS PERSICA NECTARINA. ( Amygdalaceae . ) 34997. 
Seeds of a nectarine from Santiago, Chile. Procured by Mr. 
W. F. Wight, of this Bureau. "Yellow-fleshed nectarines 
which are very common in the Santiago markets." (Wight.) 
For distribution later. 
BOMAREA SP. ( Amaryllidaceae . ) 34979. Seeds from San 
Jose, Costa Rica. Presented by Mr. Ad. Tonduz , Botanist, 
National Museum. "Fruits found in the vicinity of San 
Jose. An ornamental with edible tubers." (Tonduz.) For 
distribution later. 
BORASSUS FLABELLIFER. (Phoenicaceae . ) 35040. Seeds 
of the Palmyra palm from Madras, India. Presented by Mr. 
H. E. Houghton, Superintendent, Agri-Horticultural Society 
through Mr. Jose de Olivares, American Consul. "An erect 
palm, 60 to 70 feet high, with a stout trunk and fan- 
shaped leaves, indigenous to the dry region of Ceylon, 
India and Africa. It is naturally suited to a rather dry 
climate; is extensively cultivated for the fruit and 
leaves. The large black fruits are borne in a cluster at 
the base of the leaves; the nut contains a refreshing sap, 
much relished as a cooling drink; the kernels or young 
seeds are much used as an article of food, being sold in 
large quantities in the bazaars during the months of April 
and May; the sap obtained from the flower spathes is col- 
lected in large quantities and either fermented and made 
into 'toddy' or 'arrack' (an intoxicating drink), or boiled 
down for making sugar or jaggery. The leaf blades are used 
for making fans, baskets, buckets, etc.; while the leaf- 
stalks and mid-ribs furnish an excellent brush-fibre, which 
forms an article of export. To obtain the latter the trees 
are stripped of all but three leaves once in two years. 
The trunk yields a hard and most durable timber and the 
husks are in demand for fuel. Among palms in the East the 
Palmyra ranks next in importance to the coconut, and the 
acreage under its cultivation in Ceylon is estimated at 
approximately 40,000 acres, while that in Tinnevelly is 
said to be about 60,000 acres. It is propagated from seed, 
which is sown in situ in holes made in sandy soil. In 
about ten years from sowing, the palms should be in flower, 
when they may be used for drawing toddy and making sugar. 
