1249 
Personally, I found the fruit , when eaten with powdered 
sugar, a good dish; though the Persians do not eat 
it." (Merrill.) 
Holcu8 sorghum (Poaceae), 45348. Kafir com. Prom 
Johannesburg, South Africa. Presented by Mr. J. Burtt- 
Davy, Botanist, Agricultural Supply Association. "Ka- 
fir corn grown by natives in the Vereeniglng District 
of the Transvaal and claimed by them to be earlier in 
maturing than any other sorts grown in the neighbor- 
hood. This strain may prove of immense value in areas 
having a short growing season. The rainfall at Veree- 
nigning averages about 27 inches and comes almost en- 
tirely in the summer." (Burtt-Davy. ) 
Persea americana (Lauraceae) , 45505. Avocado. Prom 
Guatemala. Collected by Mr. Wilson Popenoe, Agricul- 
tural Explorer for this Department. "(No. 195. Avo- 
cado No. 32. Akbal. Guatemala, Guatemala. November 
6, 1917.) This is a variety noteworthy for earllness, 
and It has been included In the set primarily for this 
characteristic. It is, however, of very good quality 
and has no visible defects except a slightly undesir- 
able shape. Judging by Its behavior in Guatemala, it 
should be the earliest variety in the collection, but 
It is not safe to depend upon its retaining this 
characteristic in the United States, since slight lo- 
cal variations In soil or climate sometimes affect 
the period of ripening very noticeably, and Its earll- 
ness in Guatemala may not be altogether an inherent 
characteristic. This is rather a warm region, hence 
there is nothing to indicate that the variety will be 
unusually hardy. The crop harvested in the fall of 
1917 was a good one. According to the owner, It was 
600 fruits, but judging from Its appearance while 
still on the tree it must have been considerably more 
than that. The bearing habits of the tree were only 
under observation for one season, but they give promise 
of being very satisfactory. The flowering season is 
in November and December, and the fruit ripens from 
the following August to November. It is fully ripe 
and in perfect condition for picking by the middle of 
October, whereas the average variety of the same re- 
gion is not mature until January at the earliest. In 
two characteristics this variety does not seem to 
agree with the Guatemalan race. It has a very thin 
skin and the seed coats do not adhere closely to the 
cotyledons. A few other varieties showing these same 
