1890 
and several thousand seedlings are being grown in the greenhouses at 
Bell, Md. These will be distributed as soon as they are large enough 
to withstand shipment." (Wilson Popenoe.) 
ZEA mays (Poaceae), 56447-56449. Com. From Cuenca, Ecuador. 
Seeds presented by Dr. Federico Malo. Quoted notes by Dr. Malo. 
56447. "(Vicinity of Valle, province of Azuay.) 'Maiz bianco,' 
the largest and best variety of this region." 
56448. '"Maiz jesuita. 1 A variety of the quality of 'Maiz 
bianco,' but with pink kernels. From this the natives make 'Mote,' 
the best one of their favorite dishes." 
56449. "(Azogues, province of Canar, and province of Azuay. 
December, 1922.) 'Maiz zhima,' a very resistant variety with pearl- 
colored kernels." 
Notes from Agricultural Explorers in the Field. 
J. F. Rock writes from Yunlungchou, China, March 22, 1923: 
"Just to let you know that I am among the living and well. I 
finally reached Yunlungchou - the Dragon Cloud City situated on the 
Hpi Kiang. The trip to this place was a revelation to me. I went by 
a hitherto untrodden path, and path it may well be called, for we had 
great difficulty in getting our mules and loads across, and many times 
the loads had to be carried by men over dangerous places. I think that 
no one living can imagine the grandeur of the scenery and terribleness 
of the road, unless he has actually seen and experienced it. On the 
19th of March I crossed from the Salwin Watershed to that of the Me- 
kong over mountains, the grandeur of which words cannot picture. The 
trail crossed the Mekong Watershed at 11,800 feet over snow and through 
fir forests with bamboo canebrake. I got some beautiful photos, show- 
ing those mighty monarchs of the forest and the depths of the Mekong 
Valley. The trail leading down into the very canyon of the Mekong is 
like a spiral stairway, - such curves and steepness that at the angles 
the levels of the road differ fifteen feet. You can imagine what these 
turns are, and you look down 7,000 feet. It takes steady nerves and 
good hobnailed shoes to stick to that trail. I wish you could have 
seen the rhododendrons, beautiful, gorgeous, all colors of the rain- 
bow, many not in flower, as it is still early for them at such heights. 
Now, thanks to the gods , we have crossed all the mighty rivers which 
flow close together in tremendous chasms. The depths of the chasms in- 
crease farther north as the mountains increase in height. We crossed 
the Salwin at Hsuehshanting (' Snow-mountain peak') at 11,000 feet, de- 
scended over precipitous spurs and ridges down to 2,300 feet elevation 
and stopped at a place called Kantinggai. The tropical heat was in- 
tense, and, since I have been living at such high altitudes, I felt it 
