657 
about 2 feet in height is packed tight with persimmons 
while they are still green, just turning. The mouth of 
the jar is filled with rice straw. They think rice straw 
better than wheat straw. The jar is then turned upside 
down in pans with some water in so that a water seal is 
made. In about thirty days they are ripe and good to 
eat." 
MEXICO. Contreras. Mr. William Brockway writes April 
2, 1913: "I have been on the frontier an in Mexico since 
1882, some 15 years ago I established an experimental 
garden and orchard for a plantation company on the Isthmus 
of Tehuantepec, and know the country from one end to the 
other and know of many good things worthy of introduction 
and cultivation, and only wish I were so fixed that I 
could give time and attention to it. 
"Referring to the corn mentioned in your letter of 
March 12th. The name is Quarentena (40 days). I have 
eaten this corn boiled in places along the lower Balsas 
River as early as February 14th. I trust you will pardon 
me for taking up your time but I am very much interested 
in these matters. 
"In the Guerrero country we also have the Ajoujoll 
(sesame) which is grown there extensively as a crop. The 
seeds are sold in large quantities to mills that grind and 
press out the oil which is used in the finest native 
dishes (mole de guacalote, etc.) cooked. The oil is much 
superior to olive oil and is used also by watchmakers and 
for fine machine oiling. 
"Cascalote is a bean growing on a tree much resembl- 
ing the mesquite. This tree is protected by law of govern- 
ment, and is one of the best tanning materials ever used. 
The bean of the species we have here would almost revolu- 
tionize the tanning industry if better known. It will tan 
a cow hide in eight days, goat skins in three days. This 
could be grown all along the Rio Grande River country, 
California, etc. 
"Cherimoya - I know of a fruit of this order growing 
in that country much superior to any I have ever seen. 
The pink-fleshed pulp resembles a watermelon, a flavor of 
pineapple., apricot, and strawberry. Fruit grows as large 
as a sugar bowl. Weight about 2 lbs. 
"Guava - I know of a tree of this variety, Isthmus of 
Tehuantepec, growing 30 to 40 feet high. Fruit as large 
as a lemon and same" color. The most acid fruit I have 
ever met with. We cooked it with four times its weight of 
* sugar and .then could barely eat it. 
