656 
PERSEA AMERICANA. (Lauraceae.) 35121. Seeds of an 
avocado from Caracas, Venezuela. Presented by Mr. H. 
Pittler of this Bureau. "This aguacate is called Veranero, 
on account of the crop coming at the end of the dry sea- 
son, while the high time for the other varieties growing 
about Caracas is August. It is smaller than the common 
varieties coming from the Tierra callente which can also 
be obtained now in the market. Besides its outer color 
is characteristically, yellow ,and ' Syi " "has a special very 
fine flavor. As is grows here up t,o' above 1400 meters, it 
should do well in Southern California and in other parts 
of the South where the rain is somewhat scarce . " (Pittier. ) 
For distribution later. See halftone. 
fUBUS BIPLORUS QUINQUEFLORUS . (Rosac'eae.) 35197. 
Plant of a Chinese bramble from the private fruticetum of 
Mr. Maurice L. Vilmorin, Les Barres, Nogent sur Vernisson, 
Loiret, France. "This is the most striking of all the 
brambles introduced by Mr. Wilson. He collected seeds in 
West Szech'uan, southeast of Tachien-lu, at an altitude of 
5000 feet to 6000 feet. The growths are particularly 
strong, being 12 feet in height, and the stems 4| inches 
in circumference at the base. The waxy-White bloom on the 
stems is a particularly striking feature. They are armed 
with large, stiff spines, \ inch in length. The leaves 
are pinnate, about a foot in length, and generally consist 
of five leaflets, which are white beneath and green above. 
The flowers are white, f- inch in diameter, being borne in 
terminal and axillary panicles of about five flowers. The 
fruit is a rich, golden-yellow color, equal in size to 
those of most of our cultivated raspberries, and of a good 
flavor. This species, so far as I am able to judge, is 
likely to prove the most useful of the Chinese raspberries 
to the hybridist for raising new fruits." (Gardener's 
Chronicle, March 9, 1912.) For distribution later. 
SICANA ODORIFERA. ( Cucurbi taceae . ) 35136. Seeds of a 
"calabaza" melon from Tampico, Mexico. Presented by Mr. 
Clarence A. Miller, American consul. Seeds of a remarably 
fragrant maroon skinned, yellow-fleshed cucurbit, the pulp 
of which makes excellent preserves. For distribution 
later . 
NOTES FROM CORRESPONDENTS ABROAD. 
CHINA. Kutien. Mr. T. H. Coole, Wiley General Hos- 
pital, writes March 14, 1913: "Regarding the ripening 
of the persimmon it is as follows: An earthenware jar 
