1309 
Gleditsia sinensis (Caesalpinlaceae) , 45803. Locust. 
From Yi Hsien, Shantung , China. Presented by Rev. R. 
G. Coonradt. A tree up to 60 feet in height with a 
trunk girth of 3 to 9 feet, found in the dry valleys 
of western Szechuan at altitudes ranging from 3,000 
to 5,000 feet. It grows to a very large size, with a 
massive bole clean of branches for from 9 to 30 feet 
from the ground, and a wide-spreading head of thick 
branches. The bark is quite smooth and pale grey in 
color. In degree of spinescence the trees vary con- 
siderably and some are quite thornless. The wood lis 
nearly white and of little value, but the flattened 
pods are rich in saponin and are valued as a substi- 
tute for soap, and are also used in the process of 
tanning hides. (Adapted from Sargent, Plantae Wilson- 
ianae , vol. 2, p. 91.) 
r Primus glandulosa (Amygdala ceae), 45944. Plum; From 
China. Collected by Mr. Frank N. Meyer, Agricultural 
Explorer , for this Department. "(No. 1301. Ichang., 
China. December 30, 1917.) A shrubby, flowering plum 
growing to a height of from ; 3 to 5 feet. It can be 
trained to one stem but naturally grows" into a dense- 
ly-branched bush. It bears masses of double, rose-*- 
colored flowers in May and is a fine 1 1 1 tie. shrub tot 
borders and near door entrances in those regions where 
It is perfectly hardy. Obtained from the garden of the 
Cus t oms C omp ound . " (Meyer . ) 
Pyrus sp. (Malaceae), 45834. Pear. From Manchuria. 
Collected by Prof. F. G. Relmer, Superintendent, 
Southern Oregon Experiment Station, Talent. "No. 46. 
Pin li, or Ping li. Very similar to small Suan li, (S. P. I. 
Nos. 45846 & 45847). These seeds were obtained from 
fruit grown near the Chien Shan mountains , near Li- 
shan, Manchuria. This is a very popular cultivated 
variety in the Chien Shan region, and seems to be well 
adapted to the. conditions there. The fruit is small, 
varying from If to 1| inches in diameter, roundish or 
slightly flattened in shape, and greenish yellow in 
color, with often a blush on one side. It ripens dur- 
ing September and possesses a very agreeable and re- 
freshing tart flavor. This variety undoubtedly has 
been derived from P. ussuriensis, as it resembles that 
species in tree, leaf and fruit characters. While the 
fruit has the tartness of that species, it is of very 
much better flavor, and the flesh is softer than in 
the wild form. The calyx is always persistent! open 
