1622 
notably the work of the late Frank' N. Meyer,, who sent ! 
thousands of plants from China, many of which even now 
rank among, our most desirable products.' The" large tam-T 
opan persimmon (Diospyros kaki) from China, how commonly 
seen on the market, and the Chinese Jujube ( Ziziphus 
jujuba) , are among his introductions. From Africa have 
been introduced the long-staple Egyptian cotton (Gos- 
8ypium barbadense) , Sudan grass {Holeus sorghum sudanensis) , 
Rhodes grass ( Chloris gayana ) , and many of the more im- 
portant Kaf ir corns" and sorghums; ( Holeus sorghum) , crops 
which mean approximately $50 , 000 , 000 'In crop - values to! 
the United States each year, and the, development of 
semi -arid lands not adapted to previously" grown ag- 
ricultural crops. " ',./ ' ; - ■ 
In Cape Colony, Dr . Shantz went east to Port Eliza- 
beth, where the famous " Addb bush" occurs . Many plants' 
were secured, one of the most . interesting being the 
speckboom. (Portulacaria afra) which, covers whole hillsides 1 
with its succulent growth, and is one of the most im- 
portant foods of the elephant; it is" relished by cattle 
and sheep," and there is a chance of lt.§ be'coming of value 
in Southern California. . It is probable that - " speckbdoni 
will grow "under practically the s¥m6 conditions as the 
utterly worthless chapparal of southwestern Calif prni'a: 
Dr. Shantz then passed northwest" oyer the Karroo 
Desert, similar to that in the Great * Basin of jbhe 
United States, but differing in the respect that most 
of the plants form excellent forage for' 1 sheep, cattle, 
and ostriches , and it se'ems probable that some of : the 
more desirable of thes*e desert plants may be utiirze'd 
in our desert country tp improve the range. 
In the great Transvaal agricultural area,- corn 
( Zea mays) , known as "mealies , " is the chief crop . One of 
the most important varieties is our own "Boone County 
White," a gift from America of considerable value to 
the farmers of the Transvaal. * 
In the low veldt at Nelspruit are* large orchards 
of subtropical trees and fruits," . many varieties ot 
which have hot been grown in the United "States . It is 
hoped that an arrangement will be made 1 ' whereby they 
can be secured for test in this country. Among them are 
some particularly desirable mangoes (Mcingifera indiea ) , 
adaptable to Florida. 
The route then lay to the seacoast at Lourenco 
Marques and by ocean steamer to Belra. Dr. Shantz ar- 
ranged with the agriculturist there to get some desir-- 
able ; East African mangoes which' tJie Department h*s' 
wanted for several years. 
