1186 
bloom, but set a good crop in 1917, and there should 
be a fine lot of fruits to ripen next year (1918). 
Judging from accounts given me, the tree usually does 
not carry a great many fruits, but this would be ex- 
pected of a variety of such large size. The season of 
ripening is said by the owner to be from February to 
April, most of the crop being picked in March. The 
fruits, as indicated by young ones now on the tree 
(June 12, 1917), are .long and slender, — best termed 
slender pyriform, perhaps, but not markedly swollen 
at the lower end. The surface is nearly smooth, and 
the skin rather thin for this race. When ripe the 
color is said to be deep purple, and the flesh is said 
to be of excellent flavor. An American who has known 
the variety for some time tells me he has weighed 
specimens which tipped the beam at 3 pounds. This is 
a larger fruit than any other included in the collec- 
tion and, so far as I am aware, the largest yet seen 
in Guatemala. Since it has not been possible for me 
to examine the mature fruit, it is recommended that 
budded plants be distributed with the understanding 
that the variety is a very large-fruited one highly 
recommended by several people who are familar with it, 
but not tested by me." (Popenoe.) 
Polygonum tinetorium Loureiro. (Polygonaceae . ) 44805. 
Seeds from Yihslen, Shantung, China. Presented by 
Rev. Ralph G. Coonradt. "The 'Blue plant 1 may be com- 
mon in America. When mature, it is put through a pro- 
cess to obtain the dye with which all of our blue 
clothes are colored." (Coonradt.) An annual herb com- 
monly cultivated in dry fields in China and Japan, 
growing to a height of 1 to 2 feet. The leaves are 
variable in shape, ranging from long and narrow to 
short and oval, and the pink flowers are borne in 
spikes. The dried leaves are made into "indigo balls" 
from which the dye is obtained. (Adapted from Useful 
Plants of Japan, p. 101, 1895.) 
Prunus salieifolia H.B.K. (Amygdalaceae .) 44885 . Cherry 
seeds from Guatemala City, Guatemala. Collected by Mr. 
Wilson Popenoe, of this Bureau. "(No. 128a. May 16, 
1917.) The wild cherry of the Guatemalan highlands, 
called cereza in Spanish and capulin in the Quiche Indian 
dialect. The tree is found both wild and cultivated in 
the mountains of Guatemala, from elevations of about 
4000 feet up to 9000 feet or perhaps higher. As com- 
monly seen, the tree is erect, often somewhat slender, 
