607 
tracted from these melons for drinking purposes and is often 
used by humans." ( Bur bt -Davy. ) For distribution later. 
CUDRANIA TRILOBA. (Urticaceae . ) 34493. Seeds from 
Augusta, Georgia. Grown from plants introduced by Mr. E. H. 
Wilson, Arnold Arboretum. "Apparently this fruit will thrive 
down South, and it is as you say both interesting and beauti- 
ful. In China, it occurs throughout the Yangtsze Valley, from 
river level to 3000 feet altitude. It varies from a small, 
much-branched thorny bush to a tree 40 or 50 feet high. The 
fruits are eaten by the Ghinese but are not much esteemed. In 
Szechuan, the leaves are used for feeding young silk worms 
upon, it being claimed that worms thus fed produce a superior 
kind of silk to those fed upon mulberry leaves alone. The 
plant is exceedingly common and bv no means new, but I believe 
with you that there is a future for it in this country, as a 
hedge plant or ornamental tree, if nothing else." (E. H. 
Wilson.) For distribution later, 
FOENICULUM VULGARE. (Aplaceae.) 34611-612. Seed of fen- 
nel from Rome. Presented by Dr. Gustav Eisen, San Francisco, 
Cal. "Messina finocchio is somewhat similar or rather related 
to the sweet fennel, but differs in so many respects that I 
presume it to belong to a distinct species, or at least to a 
very distinct variety. It is a spring, fall, and winter plant 
and is eaten from September 15 to about April 1. It loves a 
moderately damp and warm climate, such as the one in Italy, 
California and Southern United States, and will probably suc- 
ceed even in the other states. The part eaten is the lower 
part of the stalk, as in celery, but the edible part is glob- 
ular in the best variety, not oblong as in celery. The in- 
terior solid part is the best, the outer leaf -stalks being cut 
away. In order to be tender the plant must be hilled just as 
celery, either with earth or matting. Plant in beds under 
cover, beginning in July and continue to February and March. 
It takes about four months to mature. When six inches tall 
transplant in beds or rows about 12 inches apart in rich mel- 
low soil. As it grows, hill up with soil, so as to bleach the 
lower part. Those planted in beds in July and August are 
eaten in September, October and November. Those planted in 
February are eaten in April or May. In Rome I notice general 
planting in gardens, 12 inches each way, in October. The 
plants are then 1*2 inches tall. A good finocchio should weigh 
a pound more or less. The inner tender white part is eaten 
raw, stewed, boiled or roasted. It is delicious raw like 
celery. Many, like myself, prefer it to celery. Requires the 
same soil as celery, and the richer the soil the better the 
result . " (Eisen. ) For distribution later. 
