920 
Allium cepa L. (Liliaceae.) 41056. Seeds of an onion 
from Tarum, about 24 miles west of Zend J an (Zlnjan), west- 
Persia. Presented by Mr. R. S. Reed at the requestrof Col. 
J. N. Merrill, Persian Army. "Tarum Is at an elevation of 
about 4000 feet; Irrigation is used; soil , gravelly , pro- 
bably contains alkali. They are the largest onions I have 
seen, some of them being six Inches in diameter by four in 
depth or larger. Mr. Reed says the onions of Tarum are 
much esteemed by the Persians who eat them raw as they 
have such a good flavor." {Merrill.) 
The following peach seeds and many others have been 
introduced for the studies of the Office or Horticultural 
and Pomologlcal Investigations. Steps will be taken to 
secure plant6 of the best of these varieties for trial in 
the United States. 
Amygdalus persica L. ( Amygdalaceae . ), 41149. Seeds of 
two different strains of peach from Chungking, China. Pre- 
sented by the American Consul. "These peaches are locally 
known as Hsiang T r ao or Fragrant Peach, and Chieh T y ao or 
Firm Peach. The Hsiang T'ao is a large peach and its skin 
and meat are partly red. It becomes soft when ripe and 
the seed is readily extracted. It has a very delicious 
flavor. The Chieh T'ao is slightly smaller in size than 
the Hsiang T'ao, and when ripe, its meat Is still quite 
firm. This peach ripens in this climate during the latter 
part of June, while the Hsiang T'ao ripens about a fort- 
night earlier. This is also a very finely flavored peach, 
but not quite so sweet as the other. These peaches are 
comparatively free from imperfections, a. fact which is 
noteworthy in view of an absence of pest preventive meas- 
ures." (Myrl S. Myers.) 
Buddleia incana Ruiz & Pavon. (Loganlaceae . ) 41114. 
Cuttings of quishuar from Plnasnloc,], Peru. Presented by 
Mr. 0. F. Cook. "A tree with grayish foliage somewhat re- 
sembling the olive, with rather attractive clusters of 
yellow flowers. It grows on the high tablelands of south- 
ern Peru where frosts are of rare occurrence during the 
winter season. It grows rapidly and propagates readily 
from cuttings. The wood Is said to be very hard and dur- 
able. Of possible interest for ornamental planting or wind- 
breaks in the coast district of southern California." (Cook.) 
Cacara erosa (L.) Kuntze. (Fabaceae.) 41143. Seeds of 
yambeans from Calcutta, India and Buitenzorg, Java. Pre- 
sented by the Economic Botanist, Botanical Survey of India 
and the Director, Department of Agriculture, Java. "The 
plant is described as a bean with an edible tuber. The 
tubers are usually the size of an orange. FleBh white, 
somewhat like a turnip. It is usually eaten raw, though I 
