1554 
margins. (Adapted from The Gardeners' Chronicle, 3d 
ser. , vol. 47, p. 379. ) 
Digitaria exilis (Poaceae), 49522. Gratis. From Mano, 
Sierra Leone, West Africa. Seeds presented by Mr. D. 
W. Scotland, director of agriculture, Njala, Mano, 
Sierra Leone, through Prof. C. V. Piper. A cereal na- 
tive to tropical Africa and cultivated in West Africa 
where it was first observed in 1798. It closely resem- 
bles D. longiflora which is probably the wild ancestral 
form.- The grain has a very good flavor and it is be- 
lieved that it might prove a valuable addition to the 
light farinaceous articles of food used by the delicate 
or convalescent. The plant is said not to require 
manuring and to thrive well in light soils and even 
in rocky situations. It is grown in Nigeria at an al- 
titude of 4,000 feet. (Adapted from Kew Bulletin of 
Miscellaneous Information, No. 8, p. 383, 1915.) 
Diospyros ebenaster (Dlospyraceae ) , 49480. Black sapote. 
Prom Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, Mexico. Seeds presented by 
Mr. Wilbur Barker. "The black sapote, which is a na- 
tive of India and is widely cultivated in the Tropics, 
is a compact and shapely ornamental tree with oblong- 
oval, glossy leaves about 4 inches long. The fruits, 
which greatly resemble those of the kakl, or Japanese 
persimmon, are light green when ripe and from 2 to 4 
inches lndiameter. The dark brown or almos t black flesh 
is sweet, and when cut up or mashed with orange juice 
makes a first-rate dish. " (Wilson Popenoe . ) 
For previous introduction see S. P. I. No. 44187. 
Gladiolus psittaeinus ( I r i d a c e a e ) , 49595. Gladiolus . 
From Bukama, ■ Belgian Kongo. Collected by Dr. H. L. 
Shantz, agricultural explorer. "No. 418. A beautiful 
pure yellow gladiolus which grows in a very wet soil 
but also occurs on the upland . A fine large pure yellow 
flower as fine as our cultivated types, very pure but 
ranging to almost mottled with reddish spots in some 
individuals. The flower has unusally good form. An 
important introduction." (Shantz.) 
Liguslrum delavayanum (Oleaeeae), 49675. Privet. From 
Paris, France. Purchased from Vilmorin-Andrieux &. Co. 
This hardy shrub was first discovered by Abbe Dela- 
vay in the mountains of Yunnan, China, where it becomes 
2 or 3 meters high. In habit it is prostrate-spreading, 
except for a few perfectly upright branches which rise 
