* 
642 
second or third year from seed when grown under glass, in 
Michigan, and the experiment is worth repeating. (Fair- 
child.) For distribution later. 
DinsPYROS KAKI . (Diospyraceae . ) 34973. Cuttings of 
persimmon from Hiroshima, Japan. Presented by Rev. H. 
Loomis, American Bible Society, Yokohama. "Giombo. This 
is the variety that produces the best dried persimmons in 
Japan." (Loomis.) For distribution later. 
HARPEPHYLLUM CAFFRUM. ( Anacardiaceae . ) 34943. Seeds 
from Cape Town. Presented by the Chief Conservator of 
Forests. "One of the prettiest evergreen shade trees to be 
seen in the gardens of Cape Town. Suitable for very windy 
situations and forms a very dense shade. The timber is said 
to resemble mahogany and is used for wagon making. The red 
showy drupes have a pleasant acid taste, but little pulp, 
and are suitable for making preserves. The tree will stand 
some drought and is suitable for frost-free regions. Has 
done well in California, and particularly well in South 
Florida, where trees introduced in 1902 are now 20 feet 
high. (Fairchild.) For distribution later. 
KERSTINGIELLA GEOCARPA. (Fabaceae.) 34916-919. Seeds 
of the kandela from Togoland, Africa. Presented by Dr. A. 
Engler, Director, Botanic Garden, Dahlem, Germany. "Three 
years ago Professor H. Harms described a new genus of 
Leguminosae which he called Kerstingiella after its dis- 
coverer, Dr. Kersting of Sokode, Togoland. Apart from the 
strictly botanical interest attaching to it, it was remark- 
able as the source of a ground bean or nut which had been 
until then unnoticed, although its cultivation in Upper 
Guinea as we now know extends over a fairly large area. 
In 1910 Dr. A. Chevalier recorded the same .plarft from 
Dahomey, describing it as a new species of Voandzeia under 
the name V. poissonii. Since then it has been in cultiva- 
tion and under observation in the Botanic Gardens at Dahlem 
and Jena, and last year Prof essor Harms published a short 
article in which he summarized briefly what was then known 
about this ground bean, adding some valuable information 
concerning the conditions of its cultivation. 
"Chevalier states that Hausa traders assured him of the 
existence of the bean in British Nigeria. This statement is 
confirmed by specimens of Kerstingiella communicated to Kew 
by Mr. W. R. Elliot, who came across it as a field crop in 
Nupe. The plant is undoubtedly of some economic importance 
and it seems desirable to call the attention of British 
residents and travelers in Nigeria to the occurence 
