913 
ably, particularly those which are rich in micaceous ele- 
ments. These are ordinarily recovered from bararata, large 
reeds (Phragmites communis?) attaining four meters in 
height, and submerged during the winter. The soil is pre- 
pared by superficial working. This preparation commences 
in March and April, as soon as the waters subside. The 
bararatas (reeds) are cut and burned; they shoot again, but 
the young shoots are broken down with a stick and this en- 
croaching vegetation disappears. The seeds are planted in 
holes from three to four meters apart in March and April. 
Harvest takes place from September to December. Almost all 
of the crops of Cape beans are irrigated. Sells in Mar- 
seilles for 65 frances per 100 kilos." (Heckel.) 
Polakowskia tacaco Pit tier. (Cucurbitaceae . ) 41008. Seeds 
of tacaco from Costa Rica-. Presented by Mr. Carlos Werckle, 
at the request of Mr. Van der Laat, Director, Department 
of Agriculture. "A cucurbltaceous plant, the fruit of 
which is used as a green vegetable. It is a near relative 
to the chayote, but the fruit is smaller, fusiform, set 
with stiff spines at the base and of quite a distinct 
taste. It is one of the primitive foods of the native In- 
dians of Costa Rica, where it grows wild in fresh, shady 
places of the temperate region, and its use as a vegetable 
has been readily adopted by the Spanish Costa Rlcans. 
Nowadays the plant is at least semi-cultivated on the cen- 
tral pla.teau. To grow it, a whole mature fruit is set in \ 
a rich, loose leaf mould, with the spiny end up and almost 
showing at the surface. (They do not sprout if planted in 
common garden earth.) The vines spread on the ground or 
on low bushes or supports. The fruits, which are about two 
and one-half inches long and one and one-half inches broad, 
hang from short peduncles and are plpked when still green. 
After taking away the basal spines they are boiled In 
water, either whole or out into small pieces, or pickled, 
or made into preserves. They are also a favorite addition 
to the native vegetable soups." (H. Plttier.) 
Pouteria caimito (Ruiz & Pav. )Radlkof er . (Sapotaceae . ) 
41003. Seeds of abiu from Lavras, Minas, Brazil. Pre- 
sented by Mr. Benjamin H. Hunnicutt, Escola Agricola de 
Lavras. "A timber tree with edible fruits. The fruit is 
a beautiful golden'.yellow and is the shape of the fruit of 
the limao do matto, Rheedia brasiliensis . The fruit is some- 
what sticky but of a delicious flavor. The one we have on 
our place is a beautiful bush at present and would do very 
well as an ornamental plant. It is found in the states of 
Espirito Santo, S. Paulo and Minas Geraes." (Hunnicutt.) 
