- 4 - 
prolific and used extensively in feeding horses and cows. 
They are also eaten by the poorer people, boiled and roasted 
in oil." (Shields.) For distribution later. 
IDDRINGTOlttA WHYTEI . (Piraeeae.) 2SS90. Frcm Zoraka, Nyas aland 
Protectorate, Africa. Presented by Mr. J, II. Purves, Chief 
Forest Officer. "The seed germinates quickly, usually 3 to 4 
weeks, in moist and slightly shaded soil, with a mean tempera- 
ture of 65° to 70° P. The tree occurs at about 17° S. lati- 
tude, at elevations of from 5,000 to 6,000 feet. Above this 
its growth is very stunted. It exhibits a preference for deep 
gullies and ravines, and seems to detest very strong winds. 
The rains fall in the hot months, October to April, and herein 
will lie your chief difficulty in establishing the tree in the 
Forthern Hemisphere. In the south of England it is grown with 
difficulty, as it makes its new growth in the same months as at 
Plarge with the result that it does not ripen off before frost. 
At elevations of 3,000 feet in Pyasaland it makes a nice orna- 
mental tree, but it begins to die cut suddenly after ten or 
twelve years . It seems to thrive best in its native habitat 
when it is slightly intermixed with other leaf -shedding trees 
and evergreens typical cf mountain forests, as the decaying 
foliage helps to form a Potter layer of humus." (E. W. Davy.) 
For distribution later. 
EA PAYS. (Poaceae.) £8661. Prom Pomba, Pyasaland Protectorate, 
Africa. Presented by Pr . P. P. Davy, Agricultural and Forestry 
Department. "Seed of native grown typo of Pyasaland. I have 
carried out selection work on it for only one year, and it will 
take some years to get a very true and improved type fixed. 
• The results of even the first year show a marked improvement. 
I would recommend you to test it in jour southern states with a 
good rainfall." (Davy.) For distribution later. 
INZIBER P.P. (Zinziberaceae . ) 28675. Wild ginger from near Tam- 
pico, Mexico. Sent in by Pr . Edward Palmer. Plants turned 
over to the Department by Dr. P. P. Rose. For immediate dis- 
tribution. 
ROTES FROM FOREIGPT CORRESPOPDERTS . 
RABIA, Aden. Mr. Chas. Poser, American Consul, Duly 12. Sends 
khat plants and a detailed description of the cultivation and 
uses of the plant. Khat (Catha edulis) is grown extensively in 
two localities, the Yemen and near Harrar in Abyssinia. It is 
in universal use among all classes of Arabs, who say that life 
and hard work would be unendurable in their country without it. 
Among the poorer classes sometimes as much as hs.lf the daily 
wage is spent for khat, and even among the better classes as 
