Report of the Harvard Botanical Gardens: Soledad Estate, Cienfuegos, Cuba (Atkins Foundation) 1900–1926 [Reprint 2014 ed.] 9780674282476, 9780674282469

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REPORT OF THE HARVARD BOTANICAL GARDENS 1900-1926

LONDON : HUMPHREY MILFORD OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS

REPORT OF THE

HARVARD BOTANICAL GARDENS SOLEDAD ESTATE, CIENFUEGOS, CUBA (ATKINS FOUNDATION)

1900-1926 BY ROBERT M. GREY

CAMBRIDGE

HARVARD UNIVERSITY PRESS

192 7

COPYRIGHT, 1927 BY THE PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OP HARVARD COLLEGE

PRINTED AT THE HARVARD UNIVERSITY PRESS CAMBRIDGE, MASS., U. S. A.

INTRODUCTION

it has been customary to submit a monthly statement containing a summary of the current garden work, which included the meteorological conditions, the acclimatization of new or rare foreign species, general research and experimental work in hand on various agricultural and horticultural subjects, and, especially, notes relative to the cultivation and conditions of sugar cane. The monthly statements, however, were written and retained by Mr. Atkins, solely for private reference, and very little regarding the nature of the actual work carried on at the station has ever been made public. The present Report, practically covering a quarter of a century of the Garden and Arboretum records, must of necessity be more or less synoptic and brief in character, as a descriptive account of the numerous species of plants under cultivation, and individual economic experiments with coffee, cotton, castor bean, and numerous other subjects, carried through several years of continuous investigation and field tests, would be too voluminous and involve repetition of much material already filed in the monthly statements. I hope the efforts to bring together, in bulletin form, some of the more important data connected with the gardens may be of interest. HERETOFORE,

THOMAS BARBOUR Custodian

REPORT OF THE HARVARD BOTANICAL GARDENS 1900-1926

REPORT OF THE HARVARD BOTANICAL GARDENS 1900-1926 IN 1900, during a conference held at Central Soledad and attended by Edwin F. Atkins, Esq., Professor Oakes Ames, and Professor George L. Goodale, it was fully decided to establish, on the Atkins Sugar Estate, at Soledad, Cienfuegos, Cuba, the Harvard Botanic Station for Tropical Research and Sugar Cane Investigation. The Garden was formally inaugurated in 1901 on Colonia Limones, about one half-mile from the present Harvard Biological Laboratory and connected with it by a good road. The site selected was picturesque, of a hilly or undulating character, with a brook winding through the central ravine; the soil was varied in composition, but was chiefly of a shallow, reddish, clayey nature, with a porous, more or less decomposed, limestone (cascajo) subsoil. The landscape was rather barren and devoid of trees. This, at the outset, was detrimental to plants and shrubs requiring shade; but any severe damage was obviated by the erection of a shade house, which afforded protection from the direct sun heat for the more important species until some of the rapidly growing trees produced the desired effect. A small greenhouse erected in 1902 proved of the greatest importance for the germination of tropical seeds and propagation of tender cuttings, also for small plants requiring extra heat and moisture during the drying winds and cool winter weather. Operations during the first few years were, to a great extent, devoted to sugar-cane interests, and, prior to the inception of the Garden, a small collection of foreign varieties of cane had been brought together by Mr. L. F. Hughes, Administrator of the Soledad Estate, in anticipation of obtaining varieties to supplant Cristalina cane, — the variety in general cultivation, — which at that time was showing a tendency toward deterioration and disease on the impoverished cane lands and shallow, hilly areas. Through various causes, chiefly climatic, and susceptibility to disease, the imported canes failed to produce any improvement in field growth over the older commercial varieties. These more or less fruitless results from foreign varieties, however, assisted in stimulating into action the already concerted idea of home cane-breeding work, and experiments were undertaken, with an assurance that success would be more rapidly accomplished through raising seedlings in large numbers and selecting those best adapted for our soils and climatic conditions, or of superior fertility as seed parents.

GREY'S REPORT

4

Through cooperation of Professor Ames and Doctor Goodale with Mr. Atkins, I was commissioned, in December, 1900, — the cane-flowering season, — to visit Cuba and make a thorough investigation of the cane-flowering conditions, especially regarding the fecundity of the flowers, and also to visit Soledad in the interest of locating a site for the new Garden. Examination of the flowers of, chiefly, Cinta and Cristalina cane in the provinces of Havana, Matanzas, and Santa Clara gave convincing evidence that the sexual organs were usually present and more or less perfect, but very frail. The anthers were weak and commonly dropped off prematurely, and the ovary was often shrunken in appearance. Viable seeds on the mature flower panicles were rare exceptions. Failure in fertility was, no doubt, chiefly due to the effect of cold and other climatic conditions dominant in Cuba. These same varieties did not even produce inflorescence north of Cuba, — Florida and Louisiana, — but flowered and ripened fertile seed farther south — in Jamaica and Barbados. (Progeny was raised from Jamaican seed of Cristalina at this Station in 1907.)1 On September 6, 1901, several hybrid Barbados and Demarara cane varieties were received from Barbados, through the courtesy of Sir Daniel Morris, Commissioner of the Imperial Department of Agriculture for the West Indies; and these, with some other varieties which had been brought together from various sources, were planted in the new Harvard Station, October 22, 1901, under the supervision of Mr. A. A. Hughes, who was much interested in the cane experiments, and were under his care until Mr. Hugo Bohnhof arrived from the north, to take charge of the Station, in November, 1901. The following winter, or flowering season of the sugar cane in Cuba, 19011902, cane research work was more vigorously pursued than during the preceding winter, chiefly on the Soledad fields, but with practically the same varieties. In conjunction with Mr. Bohnhof, elaborate preparations were made for cane-breeding experiments. The panicles were covered with gauze cloth, and the flowers were hand pollinated daily with needles. Large benches were erected over receptacles containing water. These were filled with sterilized soil on which the mature seed was sown and covered with gauze cloth to preclude insects and birds. Over 2000 seed panicles of intercrossed Cristalina, Cinta, and Morada were sown; but at the time of my departure for the north, early in January, no seeds had germinated. Later Mr. Bohnhof wrote me that four seedlings had been raised, of which only one survived. This seedling plant closely resembled Cristalina, but the flowers were more fecund and produced some viable seed. On September 24,1902, eleven varieties of hybrid canes, several stalk cuttings of each, were received direct from Java. They had been carefully prepared and packed, but, owing to their long journey, arrived in poor condition. Some of each variety were saved, however, and later several of the varieties proved of great importance in our cane-breeding work. Early in 1903, six Mexican varieties were added to the collection by Mr. C. G. Pringle, and on September 3,1903, when the writer was honored with the position of Administrator of Colonia Limones and General Manager of the Garden, the cane collection contained 51 1

On this trip of investigation, the sugar-cane mosaic chlorosis, which has recently received so much publicity, was observed to be quite plentiful on cane-fields between the stations of Jaruco and Matanzas.

HARVARD GARDENS IN CUBA

5

varieties, occupying several small plats in different sections of the Garden. In the following month the varieties were all brought together in one area of wellprepared land, to facilitate a comparative study of their individual field characteristics, and to aid in the work of cane hybridization when they reached the flowering stage. The varieties in cultivation seldom flowered until the second year after planting, and the cane-breeding work of the following season, similar to that of the preceding year, was again restricted to the Cristalina types which resulted in one seedling in 1904 — a Cinta-Cristalina. In the harvest season, 1903-1904, samples of all of the foreign canes of any field value were analyzed in the laboratory, and all varieties with a good field and analytical record were selected and planted in the spring of 1904, in order to increase the stock of these variants and ascertain their field action; consequently they did not flower in the winter of 1904-1905. Owing to adverse weather conditions, the commercial canes also failed to flower that year, and there was scarcely a panicle (bandera) on the Limones cane-fields, which precluded any opportunity for experimental work with cross-fertilization and was very discouraging. Weather conditions during the flowering season of 1904-1905, however, were more favorable, and flower panicles were very abundant on both the field and garden canes, and the cane-breeding work was continued with renewed energy. The flowers of the imported varieties were much less susceptible to cold and drought than Cristalina; the floral organs were more highly developed and general fecundity much greater. Experiments were very successful, and the season's work resulted in 810 seedlings from 21 distinct crosses. Two of the seedlings were of Cristalina seed parentage and four were progeny from the first seedling raised here — Harvard No. 208. Over 700 of these seedlings were set out in a garden plat and kept under surveillance until the following winter, when samples of those showing important field merit were given a chemical analysis, each one under a Harvard number. Following a field and laboratory test, the best were marked with approval for further propagation. Cristalina cane was used as the standard, and very few surpassed it in merit. Following is a tabulated list showing the comparative analysis of a few of the earliest Harvard seedlings, preceded by a diagram illustrating the method employed in recording all selected varieties on the date of cutting for analysis. DIAGRAM USED FOR DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED SEEDLINGS Parentage. Comparison with Cristaline. — Good. Equal. Superior. Season of Maturing. — Early. Intermediate. Late. Length of Internodes (in inches). — Short. Medium. Long. Length of Sample Stalks (in feet). Short Description of Plant Characteristics, Bud, Foliage, Habit of Growth, etc. — Slender. lar. Heavy. Resistance to Disease. — Yes. Tolerant. No. Setae on Leaf Sheaths. — Yes. No. Number of Young Shoots per Plant. Number of Mature Stocks per Plant. Color of Stalk. Harvard Number of Variety.

Regu-

6

GREY'S REPORT COMPARATIVE

ANALYSIS

OF S E L E C T E D

HARVARD

CANES

SPRING PLANTING, 1 9 0 7 Harvard Number

Weight of 3 Stalks

97

16.59 10.16 9.88 5.78

140 168 175 252 325

8.13 6.56

Per cent Juice Extracted 84.50 82.20 77.00 82.18 79.24 74.79

Per cent Solids

Per cent Sucrose

Per cent Purity

20.4 20.7 21.2

17.1 18.7

87.8

20.9 22.0

19.3 19.5 20.0

91.1 93.7 91.0

21.6

20.5

95.0

90.4

Per cent Sucrose Extracted 15.13 15.37 14.85 16.07 15.83 15.34

Date of Analysis March

9

March 9 March 9 March 9 M a r c h 11 M a r c h 11

On January 15, 1907, Mr. Robert Cameron of the Harvard Botanic Gardens, Cambridge, Massachusetts, brought from the Hope Gardens, Jamaica, stalk cuttings of six Jamaican varieties of cane, — J. No. 1, J. No. 3, J. No. 26, J. No. 27, J. No. 28, J. No. 30, — and three ripe panicles of cane seed — Barbados No. 306, Demerara No. 115, and Cristalina (White Transparent of the British West Indies); 58 seedlings were raised from the Jamaican seed. Few of the fertile garden canes flowered during the 1906-1907 cane-breeding season, but the hybridizing work produced 327 seedlings and all were set out in a garden plat on May 23, 1907. The foreign cane varieties were given field tests for several years, but were all inferior to Cristalina in commercial field qualities. The hardier, fertile types, however, were retained for hybridizing purposes. Home-raised varieties, high in fertility, had increased to such an extent in 1908 that there was no further difficulty in obtaining viable seed and producing any number of seedlings desired, and many of the home variants were superior to their imported parents. The number raised was, as a matter of fact, governed by the area of garden land available at planting time. Many thousands of seedlings have been raised, and over 70,000 of them have been given field tests, about 10 per cent of which were of sufficient field merit to warrant a chemical analysis. Three hundred and twenty varieties, chiefly Harvard seedlings, have been retained for seed and hybridizing purposes. Few of these contain all of the qualities desired in a single variant, but all have important traits useful in cane-breeding work, and several, which have shown superiority over Cristalina for commercial cultivation, are planted on the Colonia, where they are supplanting that variety and proving very satisfactory on the dry and partly exhausted lands. Early work in cane breeding consisted of cross-fertilization between distinct varieties, usually with the purpose of combining in the progeny the physical vigor or special field merit of one variety and the high sucrose energies of another. The flowers of the seed parent, when necessary, were emasculated, and the inflorescence always protected by gauze cloth. The results did not equal anticipations, and it was soon realized that, unless success was obtained through "chance"-selected seedlings, the process might be long and intricate, as the species had no doubt been under domestication, intercrossing, and selection, for centuries prior to reaching its present high standard of field character and carbohydrate

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values, and presented an abnormal economic condition. There was no authentic record regarding its parental origin. Following the general rule under such circumstances, the progeny of these highly elaborated types were usually deficient in economic qualities, with a tendency toward atavism. The sugar-cane plant is not indigenous to Cuba. The cultivated varieties have never become naturalized from asexual plantings and do not grow spontaneously from self-sown seed in the fields, as they do in many tropical countries; in fact, the agronomic conditions are not strictly congruous to normal growth development. The commercial varieties, when planted and left to their natural resources, deteriorate in physical energy and eventually die. For hundreds of years sugar cane has been grown in Cuba, but ever dependent on the aid of man for existence. And even under the best cultivation occasional replantings become necessary. One of the principal efforts connected with the seedling work was the production of self-sustaining varieties, capable of naturalization and reproduction from self-sown seed, as a basis for successful operations. In the preliminary experiments, however, the selection of desirable variants for the work was not always left to our discretion, owing to scarcity of fertile flowering material; but with the idea in view, no opportunity was lost of trying to increase the fecundity of our Cuban varieties through the selection of seed parents (almost regardless of their economic values) with profuse flowering propensity and well-developed hardy flowers, resistant to weather conditions. Except for the loss of time, the matter did not prove as difficult as was expected, and eventually fertility was brought to such a high state of perfection that nearly every stalk annually produced inflorescence and an abundance of fertile seed, when fields of Cristalina and other commercial varieties practically failed to flower and the flower-buds died in the mature stalk-apex. In the third consecutive generation of progeny, raised from hand-pollinated flowers, in 1913, a fertile variant was produced which was capable of self-increase from both seed and asexual plantings. Volunteer seedlings were not uncommon around the parent plant, and seed scattered on any moist ground germinated freely, often to the extent of 60 per cent. Stalk cuttings of this variant (Harvard No. 6,301), planted eleven years ago among weeds and grass, grew well and have continued robust and healthy without any attention. It is a green cane, similar in character to Cristalina, with a juice analysis of 18.00 to 19.64 sucrose, and coefficient of purity 91.00 to 94.00. Many of the Barbados, Demeraran, Hawaiian, Javan, and other hybrids raised in recent years are prolific in fertile seed, and since their variants have become widely distributed in all cane-growing countries, there has been no difficulty connected with seedling production. Thousands of seedlings have been raised at this station annually since 1907, 70 per cent of which were of no benefit to the industry. Many have shown marked improvement in various respects, such as suitability for special soils or locations, tolerance to disease or drought, superior ratooning qualities, field vigor, habit of growth, or increase in sugar content; but when tested on various soils for both tonnage and sugar content, very few have excelled the standard, Cristalina, for all-round commercial planting.

8

GREY'S REPORT

There is great diversity in character and economic content among cane seedlings, but there are two characteristics which customarily follow a general rule. I t has been observed in thousands of examples that variants which are rich in sugar content and purity of juice are nearly always deficient in physical vigor and general field growth, and are unsuitable for cultivation on the drier soils and old lands devoid of humus. They commonly have a soft rind, are low in fibre, and have a comparatively inefficient root system; consequently they suffer more or less from drought and disease. The plants are sensitive to changes of weather, especially to cold, but are intuitively endowed by nature to accumulate reserve carbohydrates for future use whenever climatic reverses disturb new growth construction, metabolic action being quickly diverted from the growing point toward that of food storage as a means of self-preservation. When normal growth function is again resumed, the sucrose is employed in augmenting new growth energy. On the other hand, seedling variants of vigorous constitution, remarkable in field tonnage and adapted for cultivation on various soils and localities, are, with rare exceptions, low in sugar and juice purity. They are high in fibrovascular tissue, have a heavy, tenacious root system, capable of absorbing their nutriment from the soil under much less favorable conditions than the softer types, are not as subject to ill effect from drought, and are more tolerant to disease. Metabolism is not disturbed by adverse weather conditions; and so long as the sap supply is adequate for new growth energy, the storage of reserve sucrose in large quantity is not an essential factor in the welfare of these hardier varieties. In our early cane-hybridizing experiments both types were employed, as both seed and pollen parents, and cross-breeding was continued through three or four generations of progeny. Later success resulted principally from chance selected seedlings of self-parentage. Through this means a number of varieties superior to the standard, Cristalina, have been raised. The best all-round cane ever raised here, Harvard No. 12,029, was a third lineal descendant of selfs, from Barbados White Sport crossed with Cristalina. It is superior to any cane that has come under my notice — a heavy purple variety, with broad dark-green leaves and well-developed flat buds. It is quite drought-resistant, tolerant to disease, and retains a high sugar content on all soils. A sample analytical test of the juice in 1923 gave 75.51 juice extraction, 23.02 per cent sucrose, 96.40 purity and 17.38 extracted sucrose. Hybrids were raised between Saccharum officinarum 9 and S. ciliare ό, the bunch cane, in February, 1911. The habit of growth was very similar to some varieties of the Pansahi group. The plant was very prolific in ratoons; the stalks hard, fibrous, and rather pithy, slender, serrated, and dark green in color. The leaf-sheaths were adherent and hard to remove. The inflorescence was intermediate in character, but the flowers were sterile and further cross-breeding was impossible. The stalks were very low in sucrose. Experimental hybridizing between the best varieties of our commercial canes and the Japanese Swinga cane of the Pansahi group was taken up in 1908. Progeny raised from these crosses were intermediate in character, and very prolific

HARVARD GARDENS IN CUBA

9

in ratoons. The stalks were rather slender, hard, and fibrous, and the sugar content low. The leaves were rich green in color, rather slender, very persistent and hard to strip. The plants were drought-resistant and the root system well developed. At thjat period such varieties were considered of little account for commercial planting. This group, known as Japanese, Chinese, and North Indian canes, has, however, been very extensively used in hybridizing work during recent years, and at present the hybrids have a high standing among the industrial varieties. The Uba variety has been extensively cultivated in Natal for many years, chiefly on account of its drought and mosaic resistance; and this, with other canes of similar characteristics, including the Javan Kassoer and its hybrids, and the Chunnee hybrids, are being generally planted on the dry situations and old cane lands in all cane-growing countries. They yield a high tonnage on these poorer lands, where they are gradually supplanting Cristalina. The first seedling sugar cane raised in Cuba of which there is any authentic account originated in the Harvard Botanical Gardens at Soledad in 1902 and 1904. At the Second Cuban National Exposition, held in Havana, January 28 to February 24, 1912, the Garden made an exhibit of 30 distinct varieties of Harvard seedlings, the only canes of Cuban origin displayed among the numerous cane exhibits at the Exposition. Cane breeding has been taken up on many of the cane estates during recent years, and excellent results have been attained, notably by Dr. Mario Calvino, Chaparro, San Manuel, Oriente, and at the Santiago de las Vegas Experiment Station, under the skilled management of Professor Gonzalo Fortun, Administrator.

BUILDING THE COLLECTION FAMILIES, G E N E R A , AND SPECIES

IN the autumn of 1901 a choice collection of plants, consisting of acalyphas, anthuriums, caladiums, coleus, crotons (codiaeums), dracaenas, nymphaeas, palms, orchids, and many other ornamental species, were presented to the Garden — a gift of Professor Oakes Ames, from his conservatories at North Easton, Massachusetts; and a choice lot of seeds and plants was presented by the Harvard Botanic Gardens, Cambridge. These species still represent a creditable part of the ornamental specimens growing in the section known as the Old Garden. The plants were brought down in care of Mr. Hugo Bohnhof, who was given charge of the Gardens in November, 1901. On my second visit to Cuba, chiefly in the interest of cane fertilization, in November, 1901, through an expressed wish of E. F. Atkins, Esq., a collection of tropical fruit and economic plants and shrubs was brought together at the Royal Palm Nurseries (Messrs. Reasoner Bros.), Oneco, Florida, consisting of 3 species of Anonas, avocados, cacao, camphor, cardamon, cashew nut, cinnamon, 18 varieties of citrus fruit, coco plum, coffee, figs, Japan loquat, Kaki fruit, lemon grass, mangoes, Manihot rubber, 3 varieties of olives, persimmon, 10 species of palms, 3 varieties of pineapples, Rose apple, spineless sisal hemp, Star apple and

10

GREY'S REPORT

horticultural plants. The plants arrived late in December, and a new section (Garden 2) was opened up expressly for fruit culture, and was completed and planted January 5, 1902. Through the courtesy of Mr. Atkins, numerous species have been added to the Garden from the Royal Palm Nurseries, annually, since 1901. In December, 1903, the Garden contained 243 genera and 400 species of plants, shrubs, and trees. The following two years were chiefly devoted to research work in sugar cane and agricultural crops, but occasional species of plants and shrubs were continually being received from various sources, and the collection was augmented by native species of importance collected in various parts of the province. Many other native species were procurable; but they were plentiful in our near vicinity and could be obtained without difficulty or the expense of cultivation. A Rider-Ericson engine and water supply was installed in January, 1905. Previously the water had all to be carried from the garden stream by hand and, as the plant collections were increasing rapidly, the new supply proved a great accommodation. Dr. G. L. Goodale, accompanied by Mr. Robert Cameron, visited the Garden January 9, 1906, and kindly brought from Jamaica 53 species of chiefly ornamental plants, among them 4 species of rubber. Mr. Cameron, on a second trip through the West Indies the following year, January 15, 1907, brought from the Hope Botanic Gardens, Kingston Jamaica, an excellent assortment of 78 species, including several Jamaican canes and cane seed, 6 varieties of cassava, various palms, including Arenga saccharifera and Corypha umbraculifera, several varieties of pineapple, 4 Jamaican mangoes, Castilloa elastica, and other tropical plants. Donations of over 40 species were received from Dr. David Fairchild, Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., in March, 1907, 1908, and 1909, and on several subsequent occasions. This bureau has been very liberal in supplying many new and valuable species. Mr. David Haughes, Forest Nurseryman for the Division of Forestry, Honolulu, Hawaii, in August, 1907, kindly presented the Garden with seeds of 40 species of palms, shrubs, and trees; and the Garden was greatly indebted to Dr. John C. Willis for seeds of 50 species of choice palms, shrubs, and trees, received In October, 1907, and October, 1908. A second greenhouse was constructed in February, 1907, owing to lack of accommodations for the ever-increasing cane-hybridizing work, which required heat and moisture for the assurance of successful seed germination, and also owing to a greater demand for propagating space. From 1907 to 1920 special interest and all available time were given to sugarcane improvement. The selected variants were constantly increasing in number, and hundreds of varieties were under propagation and field tests on the Colonia lands adjacent to the Garden. Many other important experiments, however, were also under operation with various economic crops, including the cultivation Of bananas, cacao, castor bean, coca, coconut, coffee (3 species), cotton, guava

HARVARD GARDENS IN CUBA

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hybridization and selection, rubber, tea, and various fibre plants, which were carried along with the cane work. The progress and final developments of these experiments have all been mentioned in the monthly reports. With the exception of cotton and tea, they were all brought to a successful conclusion, from an agronomic standpoint. During a trip through the Trinidad hills, in January, 1901, isolated specimens of Barbados cotton plants were occasionally found, carrying hundreds of welldeveloped, ripe balls of excellent cotton, free from fungus, and showing no ill effects from insect depredations — apparent evidence that the cotton industry might thrive successfully in Cuba. At that time, I was not aware that cotton had been grown on a commercial scale in Trinidad, Cuba, during the early eighteensixties and had turned out a complete failure, partly because of the boll-weevil, Anthonomis grandis, which is native to Cuba as well as Mexico. Two species of cotton grown spontaneously in Cuba, Gossypium barbadense and G. herbaceum, the latter said to have descended from the old Trinidad stock. In January seeds of both species were obtained and in March over an acre of well-prepared land was devoted to a test planting. The plants made excellent growth until they were reaching the flowering stage, and were at that period attacked by the boll-weevil (Anthonomis), three species of noctuid moth (Aletia, Heliothus, and Leucania) and one species of leaf-gall fly; and while many of the early cotton bolls escaped destruction, the general crop was damaged beyond any commercial merit. These plants were cut out and burned. In 1905 another experiment was made with 17 commercial varieties of cotton, 5 of which were Egyptian hybrids. In this test 2 of the short-staple early varieties produced a fair first crop, but the later varieties, especially the tree-cottons, were a complete failure. A few cotton plants are grown in the Garden, to represent the genus, and not infrequently mature their crops, as the weevil and other pests are not plentiful in winter and they fail to discover isolated specimens. But when grown in quantity, early varieties alone may escape to some extent. Winter plantings, under irrigation, are less liable to insect attacks, as the weevil is more or less dormant at that season. Summer plantings are more prolific in growth and productiveness, and when dusting with calcium arsenate powder by aeroplane becomes general, cotton culture might be successful, as the land and climatic conditions are ideal for its growth. Experiments with tea culture have never been successful in our vicinity. Small plantings have been made on several occasions, on different types of soil and locations, and in different degrees of shade and sun. The plants have usually become established, and have flowered and ripened fertile seed on several occasions. There is no sign of disease and the plants are apparently healthy, but make short, twiggy growth, and usually die suddenly during the dry season. One specimen set out over 15 years ago grows along very slowly, but perfectly healthy, and flowers freely. The plant is now less than three feet high and the same measurement in diameter through the branches. The main difficulty is evidently climatic.

12

GREY'S REPORT

In 1908, flowering and ornamental garden subjects were taken up for special experimental tests. Sixty plots were devoted to northern annuals, herbaceous perennials, flowering and ornamental bedding plants, bulbous stock, and roses. The annuals, with the exception of Chinese asters, stocks, and sweet peas, grew and flowered very well during the winter months (November to May), but very few species survived the hot, damp summer weather, except one or two compositae — coreopsis, gaillardia, and zinnia, and the balsams. Herbaceous border perennials, such as aquilegias, campanulas, delphiniums, dianthus, lupinus, phlox, rudbeckia, scabiosa, etc., made excellent growth and flowered Well in winter, but were unable to withstand the heat and wet of summer: one or two species of aster and Solidago survived for several years, but eventually succumbed to the surface fungi — Pythium and Rhizoctonia. Geraniums, heliotrope, salvias, and verbenas make a fine display during the winter, but need protection during the wet weather, and new-wood cuttings are necessary annually to ensure success. Among the bulbous stock, crocuses, hyacinths, and most species of narcissus were unsuccessful, and even the newly imported bulbs seldom flowered. Agapanthus, amaryllis, crinum, hippeastrums, vallotas, and zephyranthus grew and flowered profusely (two or three species are native). Under good cultivation they increased rapidly. Fancy-leaved caladiums, colocasias, calathea, allonya, curcumas, and xanthosomas made robust growth, and the bulbs remained in the ground without injury through the year. Cannas grow and flower at all seasons. Spontaneous specimens are not uncommon, and two species are native: C. edulis, Queensland Arrowroot, cultivated for its edible tubers and starch product, is a rapid grower and does well in a moist, sunny location; C. flaccida, which is native to the Southeastern United States, and parent of the orchid flowering cannas of horticulture, is a dwarf species, with very large undulate yellow flowers, but must be planted in a sunny, wet location to ensure profuse flowering. They live, but will not flower, on the dry lands. Imported gladiolus, freesias, ixias, and montbrettias grew and flowered well, but the corms had to be taken from the ground during the resting period to protect them from destruction by insects. Dahlias were also successful, but the tubers (except the tree dahlias), when resting, were also lifted to protect them from the shot-hole borer. The Southern Iris hexigona and some of the I. laevigata, or Japanese varieties, were very successful on low, moist land. Liliurn candidum and L. longiflorum Harrisii made excellent growth and flowered profusely, and the latter propagated readily from the bulb scales. Over 400 young bulbs were raised from six imported bulbs in four years. Tuberoses, both single- and double-flowered varieties, have escaped from cultivation. They grow and flower without special attention and are common in the door-yards of nearly all country houses. Roses were always grown at the Harvard Station to some extent, and new varieties have been received annually through the courtesy of Mrs. E. F. Atkins, Senior. In 1908-1909 the varieties were all brought together in one large planting for experimental purposes. Before their cultivation was discontinued at the Harvard Gardens last season, the collection contained 70 species and varieties. The

HARVARD GARDENS IN CUBA

13

species have been retained, but the cut-flower varieties were all sent to the Soledad Garden. Tea and hybrid tea roses grow and flower freely and make a grand display during the dry or winter season, but usually the plants lose the greater part of their foliage, and rest during the wet summer months, which is contrary to the growth action of most shrubs. Varieties of the Bridesmaid, Mad Marie Calvet, and Mamon Cochet type, and Radiance, however, frequently blossom throughout the year. Perle des Jardins and Souvenir de Georges Pernet are not suitable for this climate, and the Rambler section seldom flowers. Hybrid Remontants grow moderately well in winter, but, aside from Francis Scott Key and Paul Neyron, which are exceptionally prolific, they rarely flower to any extent. Rosa banksia, R. indica, and R. laevigata, the Cherokee, all grow and flower well. Nearly all varieties grow well on their own roots; the weaker types are budded on R. multiflora Japonica, which has a tenacious, vigorous root system and grows at all seasons. Roses are seldom attacked by mildew (Sphoerotheca pannosa), and have few destructive fungus or insect enemies which are not readily dispelled with Bordeaux mixture. On June 3, 1911, a destructive cyclone swept the Garden and, although it lasted but forty-five minutes, the trees were denuded of branches and foliage or blown down, palms were wrenched off at the necks, the collection of bananas and hybrid canes was torn from the ground and badly broken down, and many citrus trees were uprooted or injured. The greenhouses and Colonia buildings were completely demolished. A precipitation of two inches of rain in forty minutes, which accompanied the cyclone, changed the garden stream to a torrent which carried with it 14 species of Nymphaeas, several varieties of Nelumbium, and a fine specimen of Victoria regia. The loss of specimens, in number, was severe, and 70 species were totally destroyed. The injured stock was replanted at once, however, and owing to very favorable weather which followed, recovery was rapid. During the following years new species were constantly being added to the Garden so rapidly that some of the specimens were becoming overcrowded, and it eventually became necessary to increase the garden area, which was made possible through the generosity of Mr. Atkins during the winter of 1919. The new section, No. 4, comprising several acres, adjoining Section No. 2, was incorporated and opened up for planting in the spring of 1920. This new area has also proved of special assistance in extending the scope of the New Arboretum devoted to the cultivation of native hard woods and timber trees, a department promoted by Dr. Thomas Barbour, through whose courtesy numerous important species have already been procured. There are many species of beautifully colored native woods, which take a fine polish and are commonly employed in native cabinet and furniture work, besides numbers of hard woods used in the construction of carts, buildings, culverts, and, in general, rural carpentry. Some of these species are, however, fast disappearing through the clearance of land for cane cultivation and other agricultural pursuits, and it is quite evident that without special protection some of the rarer species will soon become extinct. I believe there is a government law which makes the

14

GREY'S REPORT

planting of hardwood trees a necessity, but no definite varieties are specified. In 1924 a new represa, or dam, was constructed in the new section of the Garden, partly to augment the Garden water supply during seasons of severe drought, but also to permit the cultivation of aquatic plants. This body of water is at present planted with purple water lilies (Nymphaea zanzibariensis), which blossom throughout the year and are very attractive. Frequent heavy summer floods have destroyed many varieties of our pond lilies, and those remaining are now grown in tubs for protection. The following are under cultivation: Nymphaea caerulea, Ν. capensis, Ν. dentata and its hybrids, N. marliacea aurora, N. m. chromatella, N. odorata sulphurea, N. rubra and hybrids, with N. dentata, N. zanzibariensis, and Nelumbium speciosum. Euryale ferox was grown here for a number of years. I t made vigorous growth, flowered profusely and ripened fertile seeds. Fine specimens of Victoria have also been raised from seed on two occasions, made robust growth, and flowered freely, but were in both instances destroyed prior to ripening their seeds. A shade house was erected for the protection of young and tender stock late this autumn (1925), which has already proved valuable for its purpose. Through the courtesy of Dr. David Fairchild and Dr. Wilson Popenoe 1 of the Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., the new Garden, during the past two years, has been enriched by over fifty species of tropical plants and trees. In many instances a quantity of specimens of each species was forwarded for experimental planting under our various soils and climatic conditions. Included among these lots were four species of garcinia; the wild avocado from Costa Rica; Guilielma utilis, the Pejibaye palm; Ilex paraguariensis, Yerba Mate or Paraguay Tea, an excellent substitute for green tea; Myrciaria cauliflora, the Jaboticaba fruit; Oncoba echinata, the Gorli shrub, or chaulmoogra bush; Taraktogenos kurzii, the seeds of which also contain a large percentage of chaulmoogric acid used in the treatment of leprosy; Strychnos spinosa, the South African orange; and Stevia rebaudiana, the Paraguay sugar weed, the leaves of which contain a glucosid sweeter than sugar, retain this element for many months after drying, and have been used effectively to sweeten hot and cold tea, various beverages, and solid foods. Under analysis in the laboratory, liquid samples placed in the polariscope failed to register. The Twelfth Annual List, from the Bureau of Plant Industry, states that " i t has attractive possibilities as a possible substitute for sugar in the dietary of persons suffering from diabetes." Seeds and plants of new and desirable species are constantly being received, and the botanical collection, exclusive of the native species not strictly under cultivation and very many horticultural varieties, on December 31, 1925, was represented by 144 families, 679 genera, and 1358 species, divided as follows: 1 Dr. Popenoe is now in charge of the new Experiment Station established by the United Fruit Co. at Tela, Honduras.

HARVARD GARDENS IN CUBA

15

FAMILIES, GENERA, AND SPECIES REPRESENTED IN THE COLLECTION Family

Acanthaceae.... . . . Aizoaceae .. Amarantaceae. . . . Amaryllidaceae.. .. Anacardiaceae. . .. Anonaceae .. Apocynaceae. . . .. Aponogetonaceae . . . Aquifoliaceae. .. .. Araceae .. Araliaceae .. Aristolochiaceae. . . . Asclepiadaceae.. . . . Begoniaceae.... .. Betulaceae .. Bignoniaceae. . . .. Bixaceae .. Bombaceae .. Boraginaceae.. . .. Bromeliaceae. . . .. Burseraceae.... .. Butomaceae.... .. Cactaceae Campanulaceae. Canelliceae .. Cannaceae .. Capparidaceae.. .. Caprifoliaceae. . . Caricaceae .. Caryophyllaceae . Casuarinaceae. . . .. Celastraceae .. Chenopodiaceae. .. Combretaceae. . . . . Commelinaceae. . .. Compositae .. Coniferae .. Convolvulaceae. . .. Crassulaceae .. Cruciferae .. Curcurbitaceae.. .. Cyatheaceae .. Cycadaceae .. Cyclanthaceae. .. .. Cyperaceae .. Dilleniaceae .. Dioscoreaceae... .. Ebenaceae ..

Gen.

Spec.

6 1 6 9 12 6 14 1 1 11 6 1 4 1 1 9 2 5 4 4 1 1

19 1 13 25 14 10 27 1 1 61 16 4 6 3 1 14 2 6 11 20 1 1 16 1 1 4 1 6 2 2 5 3 6 4 7 42

1 1 1 1 1 3 3 2 3 22 10 3 2 5 13 1 5 1 2 1 1 1

17 2 q 15 1 5 2 5 1 3 7

Family

Gen.

. 1 Elaeagnaceae . 2 Ericaceae Erythroxylaceae . . . 1 Euphorbiaceae . . . . 19 . 1 Fagaceae Flacourtiaceae . 6 . 1 Gentianaceae Graminae . 14 Guttiferae . 9 Haemodoraceae... . 1 Hippocastanaceae. . 1 . 2 Iridaceae . 2 Juglandaceae . 2 Juncaceae Labiatae . 10 . 4 Lauraceae Lecythidaceae.... . 3 Leguminosae . 54 . 1 Lemnaceae Lentibulariaceae .. . 1 Liliaceae . 12 . 1 Linaceae . 4 Loganiaceae 2 Loranthaceae . 3 Lythraceae Magnoliaceae . 3 Malpighiaceae.... . 5 Malvaceae 7 Marantaceae 3 . 1 Martyniaceae . 2 Melastomaceae 7 Meliaceae Moraceae 9 . 1 Moringaceae 4 Musaceae 1 Myoporaceae 1 Myricaceae 1 Myrsinaceae Myrtaceae 13 3 Nyctaginaceae.... Nymphaeaceae.... . 3 7 Oleaceae 2 Onagraceae 23 Orchidaceae Osmundaceae 1 Oxalidaceae 5 37 Palmae 1 Pandanaceae

Spec.

4 2 3 60 1 7 1 60 26 1 1 4 2 4 13 10 3 91 1 1 27 1 4 2 f>

3 5 24 3 1 2 11 31 1 9 1 1 1 31 8 9 20 3 50 1 6 78 4

Family

Gen.

2 Papaveraceae . 1 Passifloraceae Pedaliaceae 1 Phytolaccaceae 1 Pinaceae . 6 2 Piperaceae 2 Pittosporaceae.... Plantaginaceae.... 1 Plumbaginaceae... . 1 1 Polemoniaceae.... Polygalaceae 1 Polygonaceae 5 Polypodiaceae. . . . 12 2 Pontederiaceae.... . 2 Portulacaceae Potamogetonaceae. . 1 Protaceae 5 1 Punicaceae 1 Ranunculaceae.... 1 Resedaceae Rhamnaceae . 3 1 Rhizophoraceae. . . 12 Rosaceae 18 Rubiaceae 11 Rutaceae 1 Salicaceae Salviniaceae 1 Sapindaceae 10 Sapotaceae 7 1 Saxifragaceae 1 Schizacaceae Scitaminaceae 2 Scrophulariaceae. . 7 1 Selaginellaceae 3 Simarubaceae 10 Solanaceae Sterculiaceae 6 1 Styracaceae 1 Theaceae 1 Tiliaceae 1 Typhaceae 2 Ulmaceae Umbelliferae 3 Urticaceae 5 10 Verbenaceae 1 Violaceae 5 Vitaceae Zinziberaceae 5

Spec.

2 3 1 2 8 3 2 1 2 1 1 6 23 2 3 1 5 1 1 1 3 1 17 32 25 2 1 16 13 1 2 2 10 1 3 25 10 1 1 1 1 2 4 6 21 1 8 7

16

GREY'S REPORT

TEMPERATURE THE temperature at the Harvard Botanical Station during the winter season is ideal. Rains are very infrequent and the days are bright and cheerful. The sun is occasionally a trifle warm for a few hours at midday, but even at that period of the day refreshing northerly winds are prevalent. The nights are always cool and accompanied by a refreshing breeze. In fact, a blanket is essential on the bed to ensure comfort on many occasions, and furs are commonly worn on the promenades. Frost is rare at the Harvard Station, but has been recorded here on three occasions. Heavy white frost occurred on November 29, 1903, and injured many tender, soft-wooded plants in the Garden. At Colonia Caledonia, nearer the hills, banana and other plants were severely frost-bitten. December 24, 1906, the maximum temperature at midday was 56° F, and on the following morning, December 25, it had dropped to 38° F and the ground was covered with frost which injured many tender plants. On December 26,1906, there was a heavy frost, with a temperature of 32 F° which formed ice one eighth of an inch thick along the margins of the ponds, the fields were coated with ice, and the water in the cane growths, or shoots, was frozen solid three quarters of an inch thick. The cane leaves were not killed, but when they developed they were crossbarred, with albino patches over the entire field. Tender plants, however, were badly injured or killed outright, including bananas, convolvuluses, coleus, corn, eranthemums, potatoes, tomatoes, and numerous other garden plants. Several of the natives looked on the ice as witchcraft and refused to go to work. One old colored man (Florencio Alfonso), eighty years of age and a former slave, stated that he had lived in Cuba 60 years and had never before seen ice. He was fully convinced that the United States troops (then stationed at Soledad) had brought the cold weather down from the north. The temperature during the summer months, or, more correctly speaking, during the season from June to October inclusive, is not excessive. The action of the direct sun heat is sometimes oppressive between the hours of 10 A.M. and 4 P.M. Quite frequently, however, any ill effect, even at that period of the day, is modified by a cool southerly breeze (the virazori); and where one is not compelled to be exposed to the direct sun rays, conditions are less disagreeable than would be imagined. The summer nights, with rare exceptions, are cool and pleasant, and are accompanied by northerly winds (the terral) which seldom fail to refresh the atmosphere. The following tables convey a fair idea of the variation in temperatures.

HARVARD GARDENS IN CUBA S.SO>ONIMfflfflOiOiMiOOaM'^NHrtiHiMiCN'!tiieNiOii33iHffl«!0 α> «SN®OfflfflNNNIN«T|iNNMii'NNNNNNNNNNffl!CN®fflNNNNNNOlOO®NNNO · ο SNNNOffltOO^^iOiOOOtDMeiOOOiOOlHHOOUJfflMHO®!» •· ^^ΟΟΟΟΟΟΟΟΟΟΟΟαίΟΟΟΟίΜΟΟΟΟίΟΟΟΟΟΟΟΝΜΟΟΝΟΟΟΟΝΝΝΟΟΟΟΟΟΝΝ tu

i^οa^N N N l - . N N N N N N N N N N t > S N N N N t > N ® 1 3 ® N N N N N N t 03NiemiOiCi®NOON(OtOOOiCiüOO>ONOiNNNCi|ON®OiHNHNOi gcoooxi»ooQOooooooooooooooooaD05 0fjt^ooooociOOoooot»ooCTioooooooo u

ggNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNtONNNNNNNNN · S'S'-lffiffl'OMefflffieClffltOeiaNaiNNNliJOONOONNNiONfflN · · MgCO00XO0C»O0Q000, S t^· t^ t^ ι> ι>. t - - i > t». t^ t-3> 1 äNO'^'^®N®OiOOOOOi»»ONOHC ώ -S +s > d S ' S ι3 P-vS S 3 3 & δ Ο ω

HARVARD GARDENS IN

19

CUBA

RAINFALL THE rainy season usually begins about the middle of M a y and ends the last of October, and the heaviest precipitations commonly occur in June, September, and October (the rainfall of October, 1925, was unusually light). In July and August sharp electric storms are current, and the rainfall is frequently composed of light showers, which fail to penetrate deeply, leaving the subsoil more or less dry, but offering an opportunity for spring growth to ripen up its. wood and perfect the buds. Rains seldom occur before noon, and showers are most frequent from 12 m. to 2 P.M. or from 4.30 to 7.30 P.M. Heavy thunderstorms at night are exceptional, and rain is usually preceded by a cool wind and followed by a cool refreshing atmosphere. The average annual rainfall for 24 years was 52.33", but the rainfall varies considerably in different years, as will be observed in the accompanying charts, which also contain the rain distribution for 1925 and the monthly maximum and minimum dewfall and relative humidity for the year 1925. A S U M M A R Y S T A T E M E N T OF T H E M O N T H L Y R A I N F A L L A T L I M O N E S F R O M JANUARY, 1902, TO D E C E M B E R , 1925, I N C L U S I V E Month

January February March April May June July August September October November December Annual Month

1902

1903

1907

1908

0.85" 2.99" 0.10" 3.69" 4.87" 6.23" 3.50" 5.69" 5.85" 2.33" 2.99" 3.66"

3.93" 0.43" 3.67" 0.51" 2.14" 4.56" 7.49" 4.15" 5.34" 6.16" 1.37" 0.82"

1.16" 0.05" 5.22" 5.88" 18.04" 10.09" 8.81" 4.55" 8.13" 13.76" 2.11" 0.25"

0.21" 0.01" 2.39" 6.82" 8.26" 4.49" 6.30" 4.38" 5.68" 4.59" 3.00" 7.48"

0.35" 1.92" 3.54" 2.60" 7.95" 28.81" 5.04" 8.32" 7.82" 12.06" 7.28" 0.07"

0.41" 1.03" 0.00" 2.15" 3.56" 15.18" 5.11" 10.91" 5.60" 2.90" 1.88" 3.05"

3.74" 1.79" 0.14" 0.71" 3.98" 7.19" 5.26" 7.10" 3.41" 2.84" 1.40" 0.56"

2.29" 0.59" 0.48" 2.28" 6.60" 6.45" 7.35" 8.76" 10.43" 11.21" 0.12" 0.63"

42.75"

40.57"

78.05"

53.61"

85.76"

51.78"

38.12"

57.19"

1910

1911

1904

1912

January February March April May June July August September October November December

0.10" 0.10" 0.05" 0.00" 3.54" 8.25" 8.06" 3.24" 7.36" 13.78" 0.35" 1.17"

0.10" 1.92" 0.93" 1.71" 5.85" 16.65" 7.74" 5.49" 7.27" 6.76" 4.99" 0.34"

1.45" 4.04" 1.23" 0.28" 7.48" 7.18" 5.12" 8.54" 7.84" 6.50" 1.81" 0.18"

Annual

46.00"

59.75"

51.65"

1905

1913

1906

1914

1915

1916

1909

1917

1.11" 0.41" 2.72" 3.72" 10.24" 5.23" 7.68" 8.3tf' 8.20" 2.80" 1.43" 0.34"

1.74" 0.33" 0.82" 3.59" 8.88" 6.00" 1.76" 6.07" 7.28" 13.42" 6.34" 3.46"

1.50" 1.50" 2.51" 4.01" 3.09" 7.24" 3.97" 6.95" 9.07" 6.85" 1.43" 1.06"

1.18" 0.63" 0.67" 0.39" 0.72" 7.41" 6.33" 8.39" 10.75" 5.67" 4.57" 0.11"

0.16" 1.79" 2.67" 4.20" 1.50" 8.73" 5.60" 6.56" 6.97" 7.75" 1.82" ι.οσ'

52.18"

59.69"

49.18"

46.82"

48.75"

20

GREY'S REPORT STATEMENT OF THE MONTHLY RAINFALL AT LIMONES ('Continued)

Month

1918

1920

1919

1921

January February March April May June July August September October November December

1.89" 0.97" 1.97" 1.35" 4.68" 8.26" 7.67" 4.73" 3.51" 11.00" 1.01" 1.89"

1.40" 2.91" 0.96" 1.06" 5.63" 8.61" 2.88" 4.90" 13.75" 3.16" 0.68" 0.23"

0.47" 3.30" 0.11" 3.16" 12.10" 4.81" 4.62" 6.24" 8.50" 4.86" 2.95" 2.08"

0.40" 0.33" 1.26" 1.57" 7.38" 9.75" 4.81" 3.62" 5.54" 11.23" 0.93" 0.37"

Annual

48.93"

46.17"

53.20"

47.19"

1922

1923

1924

2.04" 2.65" 0.39"

0.15"

9.90" 9.73" 9.31" 8.29" 7.05" 14.64" 1.48" 0.41"

0.13" 3.44" 7.19" 5.12" 6.55" 5.61" 4.60" 2.30" 0.78" 0.33"

1.69" 2.32" 0.97" 1.95" 0.79" 8.18" 8.95" 8.61" 6.85" 5.67" 1.55" 0.56"

0.18" 0.56" 1.03" 2.01" 4.93" 13.50" 5.22" 3.80" 11.22" 2.57" 1.C4" 1.40"

65.89"

36.20"

49.09"

47.46"

0.00"

0.00"

1925

DISTRIBUTION OF RAINFALL IN INCHES, 1925 Date

Jan.

Feb.

March

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Totals

Apr.

May

June

July

0.03

0.94 0.65 0.02

0.13 0.49

0.02

1

1.00

0.50 0.06

0.06 0.43

0.50

0.02

0.51 1.05

0.85 1.12 0.18

« .

.

0.02 0.27 0.56

• . .

0.40 0.02

0.18 0.07

.. . 0.32 0.33

0.18

.··

0.68

0.56

1.03

Sept.

0.01

0.07 1.39

0.58 0.03 0.06 0.06 0.01 • . «

0.05 0.29

1.00

1.90 0.40

Dec.

0.42

0.37 0.32 0.16

,, .

0.01

0.23 0.21

0.19 2.13

... 0.04

0.06

0.01

0.01

0.24 0.32 1.38

0.32

0.66 0.07 0.71 0.20 0.36

.. . 0.67

0.01

0.29

1.79 1.22 1.84 0.09 0.92 0.37

0.18

0.02 0.51 0.10 0.02

0.02 0.04 0.05

13.50

» .

.

0.15 0.01

5.22

...

0.01

0.21

0.34 0.22 0.23

0.30

11.22

2.57

1.04

0.02 4.93

0.52

. 4 ·

1.98

0.65 2.01

Nov.

0.59

0.23 0.1 i 1.86 1.21 0.46

0.01

0.01

Oct.

0.52

.. . 0.18

0.20 1.25 0.71 0.17 0.03

1.00

0.35 0.28

Aug.

3.97

1.40

HARVARD GARDENS IN CUBA

21

MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM OF DEW POINT, AND RELATIVE HUMIDITY (°F) FOR THE YEAR 1925 Dew Point Maximum Minimum

Mouth

January February March April May June July

noon night noon night noon night noon night noon night noon night noon night

August September

night noon night

October November December

night noon night noon night

69 68 72 65 57 76 71 68 73 71 71 70 82 76 83 74 84 75 81 72 72 69 66 72

64 58 62 60 48 54 66 66 67 64 69 69 75 66 73 71 75 73 74 71 54 66 66 68

Relative Humidity

73 and 56 68 U 58 65 U 47 59 a 94 43 a 56 88 u 72 59 u 50 90 u 57 76 ft 52 94 u 55 82 u 58 94 u 67 81 α 57 77 α 84 90 u 54 66 a 94 85 « 60 65 a 94 85 u 59 65 « 89 79 a 44 94 u 58 71 u 51 77 u 93

OLDER TREES IN T H E HARVARD TROPICAL ARBORETUM Acacia cavenia Bert. Espino Cavan. Leguminosae. Chili. Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., March 4, 1907; courtesy of Dr. David Fairchild. A spiny bush or small tree, 10 feet in height, with a trunk diameter of 5 inches. Yellow flowers in small round heads in July. A compact-growing species, with spinose, twiggy branches. Used for hedges in Chili. Actinophyllum digitatum, R. & P. Wall. Araliaceae. East Indies. Imported from Florida and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., 1906. A specimen 23 feet or more in height. Trunk diameter 15 inches, with large, glossy, digitate leaves. Grows in open or partly shaded locations on well-drained uplands. The larger roots send up suckers which soon form individual plants. Whitish, small flowers are produced in short axillary and terminal panicles in March, with the new growth. Adansonia digitata L. African Baobab, Monkeys' Breadfruit. Bombacaceae. Africa. Seed presented by Mr. David Haughes, Division of Forestry, Honolulu, Η. T., October, 1907. An erect-growing, deciduous tree, 20 or more feet in height, with a trunk diameter of 16 inches. Growing on low, moist land.

22

GREY'S REPORT

Adenanthera pavonina L. Red Sandalwood, Weighers' Bean. Leguminosae. Tropical Asia and Africa. Received from Mr. David Haughes, Division of Forestry, Honolulu, Η. T., and from Dr. David Fairchild, Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., October, 1907. An irregular-shaped evergreen tree. Grows on all classes of soil in shaded or sunny locations. Height 25 feet, base diameter of trunk 8 to 10 inches. Grows slowly and more spreading in habit on the shallow upland soils. Volunteer seedlings, from self-sown seeds, are always numerous around the old trees. The lensshaped seeds ripen from January to May and are scarlet in color. Albizzia lebbek Benth. Siris Tree, Woman's Tongue, East India Walnut. Leguminosae. Tropical Asia, North Australia. Seeds received from Mr. David Haughes, Division of Forestry, Honolulu, Η. T., August, 1907. A flat-topped tree with spreading branches, 20 or more feet high. Trunk one foot in diameter. Growing on dry hillside. Useful for shade. Flowers in May and produces seed freely. Naturalized in some places. Aleuritis mollucana Willd. (A. triloba Forst.) Candle Nut, Nogal de la India. Euphorbiaceae. East Indies. Received from Bureau of Plant Industry, courtesy of Dr. David Fairchild, 1907. Also from Dr. Cabada, Cienfuegos, Cuba, 1906. Tall, shady tree, 30 to 35 feet high. Trunk 18 to 24 inches in diameter. Wood soft and easily broken by the wind. Flowers freely in March and produces abundant crops of nuts. Yields valuable oil, especially useful as a dryer in mixed paint. Alseodaphne simarubifolia. Ironwood. Lauraceae. Ceylon. Seeds received from Peradeniya, Ceylon, October, 1907; courtesy of Dr. John C. Willis. A small, slow-growing, evergreen tree of spreading habit, with twiggy branches, and lance-obovate, persistent, light-green, smooth foliage. Our specimens, growing on shallow, rather dry uplands, are 12 feet high with a similar expanse of foliage, and trunk diameter of 6 inches, perfectly healthy and free from insect enemies. The wood is hard, durable and takes a fair polish. Antidesma bunius Spreng. Bagnay, Nigger's Cord. Euphorbiaceae. Malaya. Received from Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., March, 1907; courtesy of Dr. David Fairchild. A small, compact, round-headed tree, with shiny, persistent small leaves. Height 18 feet, with a diameter of 25 feet through the branches, and trunk diameter of one foot. The short spikes of greenish-white flowers appear from March to May. A drought-resistant species, which grows freely on shallow upland or well-drained lowland in full sun or part shade. Fruit ripe in October. Antidesma nitida Tul. Malay Currant. Euphorbiaceae. Malaya, Philippines. Received from same source as the preceding species, 1910. Is very similar to A. bunius, but a more thrifty grower with larger and brighter foliage. The tree flowers in April and May, and the bright-red (eventually wine-colored) berries ripen in October, lasting three months. Cordage is made from the bark. Antidesma platyphylla. Broad-leaved Bagnay. Euphorbiaceae. Native country not stated (Hawaii). Received from Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C.; courtesy of Dr. David Fairchild.

HARVARD GARDENS IN CUBA

23

Is very similar to A. bunius, but rather taller and less spreading in growth. I t is also evergreen, compact, with dark-green leaves two or three inches long and lance-oval in shape. Flowers in April and May. Fruit round or slightly flattened, produced in short racemes and about the size of a currant, vinous purple, rather tart. Artocarpus communus Forst. (A. incisa L. /.) Breadfruit, Arbol de Pan, Castafia de Malabar. Moraceae. Quinta Cabada, 1904; courtesy of Dr. Cabada. The original specimen, planted on poor, dry land, made very poor growth, but progeny from this plant, set out in a better location in 1914, are 18 to 20 feet in height, with a trunk diameter of 8 inches. Root cuttings of the seedless variety planted in 1922 have produced specimens 7 feet high. I t grows freely on welldrained moist lands and produces an abundance of fruit. The seeds are roasted and eaten as chestnuts. A valuable species for landscape planting, as the large incised leaves and fruit are attractive and tropical in effect. Artocarpus integrifolia L. f . (A. Integra Merr.). Jaca or Jac Fruit, Rima. Moraceae. India, Malaya. Introduced from Hope Gardens, Jamaica, by Mr. Robert Cameron; courtesy of Dr. G. L. Goodale, 1907. Tree 18 feet high, trunk 9 inches in diameter. Growing on a dry hill in poor soil in shade, but would grow more rapidly under better conditions. The tree bears regularly, flowers in March and April; the fruit is 8 to 12 inches in length, oval to oblong in shape, and ripens from September to November. Edible but not very palatable. Bauhinia purpurea L. Mountain Ebony. Leguminosae. India. Introduced from Florida, 1909. Presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq. A large shrub or branching small tree, over 15 feet high. Trunk 11 inches in diameter. The tree is growing on good, well-drained soil in part shade. I t flowers profusely in April and produces seed abundantly which grow spontaneously everywhere. A deciduous species. Bauhinia variegata L. Pata de Buey. Leguminosae. India, Java. Introduced from Florida in 1902 and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq. A shrub or small branching tree 20 feet high, trunk over one foot in diameter. Deciduous. Naturalized around villages. The wood sometimes employed in cabinet work. The tree is deciduous on the hilly lands, but the large bilobed foliage is sometimes persistent in low, moist situations. The large flowers are rose-pink; the odd petal is white and yellow, flecked with red. They appear in spring in great profusion, and occasionally also in autumn. The seed pods are 6 to 8 inches long, and young plants spring up from self-sown seed in abundance. Bauhinia variegata var. Candida Roxb. (Β. alba Buck-Ham.) Presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., 1921. A small tree, quite distinct from either of the preceding species. Evergreen, with larger and darker foliage. I t grows more rapidly and forms a well-shaped, round-headed tree. Our specimen is 18 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 9 inches, all made in 5 years. The flowers are white and sweet-scented, over 3 inches in diameter, with reflexed petals. Flowers from February to May. Several of the bushy Bauhinias, such as B. hookeri, B. kappleri, and B. tomentosa, are also in

24

GREY'S REPORT

cultivation and grow nicely, either in the open or in part shade, on any fair soil. It is a showy genus and should claim more attention for tropical landscape planting. Beaumontia grandiflora Wall. Apocynaceae. Himalayas, Sylhet. Received from Mr. Robert Cameron, January, 1906; courtesy of Dr. G. L. Goodale. A vigorous, stiff evergreen, twining species, frequently making 40 feet of growth in a season. Forms a fine shrub when pruned back, producing corymbs of large, tubular white flowers at various seasons. Blighia sapida Koen. Akee Tree, Seson Vegetal. Sapindaceae. West Africa. Sparsely naturalized in the West Indies. Grows voluntarily. Presented by Mr. Robert Cameron, January, 1907; courtesy of Dr. G. L. Goodale. A small evergreen tree 20 feet in height, trunk diameter 11 inches. This species grows well in sunny or partly shaded locations and in various soils, its large, pinnate, dark-green foliage affording luxuriant shade. The seed pods are 3-celled, rather large, and bright red and yellow in color. The white aril attending the seed is prepared and cooked in various ways and is quite palatable, but is poisonous in the raw state. Bombax malabaricum D. C. (Β. ceiba Burnt). Silk Cotton Tree. Bombacaceae. India. Brought from Jamaica, January, 1907, by Mr. Robert Cameron; courtesy of Dr. Goodale. The height of this tree, and many others herein mentioned, has been somewhat dependent upon the soil and location in which they are planted. One specimen planted among the trees on rich land is upright in growth and over 30 feet high, with a trunk one foot in diameter. Another specimen, planted at the same period on dry upland soil, fully exposed to the sun, is a flat-topped tree, about 20 feet high and 30 feet across through the spreading branches, with a trunk diameter of one foot. The heavy flowers are about 5 inches in diameter, produced singly and upright along the branches in great profusion during February and March, and are bright scarlet in color with a thick brownish calyx. The bark is rough, with large prickles. Our trees have never produced seed. Broussonetia papyrifera

Vent.

{Morus papyrifera L.)

Paper Mulberry.

Mo-

raceae. China, Japan. Presented by Professor Oakes Ames, North Easton, Mass., 1901. The original specimen is not in cultivation, but root cuttings from the tree planted in 1921 have made rapid growth and are at present 15 feet in height. The tree eventually grows about 40 feet high, is of spreading habit, evergreen, and affords excellent shade. It grows well in various soils and locations. Flowers dioecious, produced from March to June along the branches; the staminate in short racemes, the pistillate in close upright heads. Shoots grow up from the larger roots, for a distance of 15 or 20 feet from the parent tree, forming goodsized specimens in two or three years. Bursera gummifera Jacq. Almacigo, Cachibü. West Indian Birch. Burseraceae. Florida, Mexico, West Indies. A deciduous, rather upright tree with a spreading top, which sheds its bark annually. Common everywhere, especially on hilly and stony lands. Specimens

HARVARD GARDENS IN CUBA

25

planted in 1902 are now 30 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 14 inches. Sections of the trunk and branches planted in the ground for live fence posts soon take root and grow. Cheap temporary posts are used for fence building, between which the Almacigos are planted. When the posts rot out, live posts support the fence and renewal is not necessary. Bursera is employed for fencing in preference to other species used for this same work, as the tree is immune to the attack of white ants (termites). The flowers appear in March and April. Caesalpinia coriaria Willd. Divi-Divi, Quick Tan. Leguminosae. Northern South America, West Indies, Mexico. Brought from Hope Gardens, Jamaica, by Mr. Robert Cameron, January, 1906; courtesy of Dr. G. L. Goodale. A small, spreading evergreen tree of slow growth with fine leaflets, height 10 feet. The small flowers are followed by pithy, incurved or S-shaped seed pods containing one to several seeds which ripen in March and April. The seed grows freely but seldom produces voluntary seedlings. The pods yield tannin and the wood a dark-red dye, both of commercial importance. Our original specimen is planted on low moist land in a partly shaded location, where it grows nicely. Caesalpinia nuga Ait. Leguminosae. Philippines, Polynesia. Imported and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., 1905. A climbing species of vigorous habit, with thorny, flexile, pale-green branches which terminate in panicles of rather small but bright-yellow flowers during March and April. Seed pods short, flat, hard, and usually one-seeded. Caesalpinia

pulcherrima

{Linn.)

Swartä.

Barbadoes Pride.

Leguminosae.

South America. Naturalized in the West Indies. Commonly cultivated in all tropical countries. Grown in the Gardens since 1901 and received from various sources. A more or less thorny shrub 10 or 12 feet high, of which there are several distinct types. The native variety is of rapid growth, the floral racemes lax, and the flowers large and bright red with a yellow margin. A variety recieved from Mr. David Haughes, Honolulu, Hawaii, was more stocky in growth, with very thorny branches and the flowers darker red in color, the yellow margin of the opening flowers disappearing when the flowers were fully expanded, leaving them uniformly red. The variety flava Hort., with bright-yellow flowers, is also not uncommon. Caesalpinia sappan L. Peachwood, Sappan Dyewood. Leguminosae. India, Burma. Seeds through kindness of Mr. David Haughes, Division of Forestry, Honolulu, Η. T., August, 1907. A small tree branching frequently from the base, with thorny branches and large bright-green leaves. Specimens vary from 15 to 18 feet in height. The small yellow flowers are borne on dense, upright terminal panicles in June and July, and the short, acutely pointed, hard pods, containing three or four seeds, ripen in March and April. The wood yields a reddish dye of commercial importance. Calycophyllum candidissimum D. C. Dagame. Rubiaceae.

A native species added to the Arboretum in 1909. Height 22 feet, trunk diameter 8 inches. A tall-growing species, often 80 feet in height, with an erect trunk. One of our best heavy hard woods, of a yellowish-gray color. Extensively used in carpentry. It grows on rolling, often stony, land, in sun or among forest trees. Flowering season February and March.

26

GREY'S REPORT

Camoensia maxima Wels. Leguminosae. Tropical West Africa. Received in 1908 from the Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C.; courtesy of Dr. David Fairchild. A robust, woody, evergreen climber with somewhat thorny large branches, 30 or more feet in length, and trifoliate, dark-green leaves. The terminal, dense flower racemes are three- to many-flowered. The flowers open in succession at various seasons, two or three together, are very large, white-margined with golden yellow, the yellow turning to brown on the second day. They are highly aromatic. The pubescent pods are wood, one- to three-seeded, and burst with tremendous force when ripe, frequently throwing the large seeds 15 or 20 feet. Cananga odorata Hooker, f . & Thorns. Ylang-Ylang. Southern India, Java, Philippines. Annonaceae. Imported from Florida and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., in February, 1907. Seeds presented by Dr. John C. Willis, R. B. G., Peradeniya, Ceylon, October, 1907, and also by Dr. David Fairchild, Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., 1908. The oldest specimen growing among other trees on moderately fertile uplands is 30 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 15 inches. It grows more rapidly on low, moist land in part shade, or in full sun exposure. The tree is of upright, open growth, with straggling, horizontal or drooping branches. The wood is soft and of secondary importance. The pale yellow-green flowers are axillary, in short panicles of several, and open in succession one or two at a time, covering a long flowering season. They are very fragrant and are used in the manufacture of perfume. The climbing Ylang-Ylang, Artobotrys odoratissimus R. Br. Annonaceae, also grows, flowers, and fruits here admirably. Canarium commune L. Pile Nut. Burseraceae. Manila. Seeds received from Dr. John C. Willis, R. B. G., Peradeniya, Ceylon, October, 1907, and from Dr. David Fairchild, Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., 1908. A dense-growing, tall tree, with spreading branches. We have two fine specimens, both growing on hilly land in rather poor, shallow soil. One is 25 feet in height, with a trunk 10 inches in diameter. The other, 29 feet high, with a trunk 14 inches in diameter. The flowers are disposed in terminal panicles on the mature branches in February and March, and the oval, purplish fruit, which ripens in December, contains oleoresin. The solid kernel of the large seed is edible. The wood is durable and is employed in carpentry. Casimiroa edulis LaLlave and Lex. White Sapote. Rutaceae. Central America, Mexico. Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., courtesy of Dr. David Fairchild, 1909. A tall-growing tree in its native country. Our specimens are planted on a hillside in shallow, rottenstone subsoil. Some of them have made fair growth; the largest is 20 feet in height with a trunk 7 inches in diameter. The tree forms an upright trunk with ascending branches when young, but later the top is rather flat and the branches more horizontal. The inconspicuous flowers appear in February and March, and the oval fruit, which is light green with white dots, ripens in May and June. A dessert fruit of good flavor, but rather too sweet.

HARVARD GARDENS IN CUBA

27

Cassia fistula L. Cafia Fistula, Golden Shower, Pudding Pipe Tree. Leguminosae. India. Naturalized in some districts of Cuba. Formerly grown extensively for the long cylindrical seed pods as a commodity of export to Spain. Brought from Jamaica by Mr. Robert Cameron in January, 1907. Seeds received from Mr. David Haughes, Division of Forestry, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1907, and also from native sources. Trees planted at that period have made large spreading specimens 20 feet high and as much in diameter through the branches, with a trunk diameter of 2 feet. The tree is more or less deciduous, especially on the shallow highlands where our older trees are planted, in both sunny and shaded locations. Young specimens grow very rapidly for 10 or 12 years, after which growth is much slower. Flowers produced from April to June. Cassia grandis L. f . Pink Shower. Leguminosae. Tropical America. Spontaneous in some localities. Brought from Jamaica, January, 1907, by Mr. Robert Cameron; courtesy of Dr. G. L. Goodale. Seeds from Mr. David Haughes, Division of Forestry, Honolulu, Hawaii. Large spreading trees, 30 to 35 feet high, with trunks 2 feet in diameter, growing in moderately good land on hillside in full sun exposure. The flowers are not very large, are salmon-pink in color, and usually produced from March to May in great profusion. The cylindrical legumes are 8 to 20 inches in length and over one inch in thickness. A drought-resistant, evergreen tree with arcuate branches. Cassia nodosa Buch-Ham. Jointwood, Pink and White Shower. Leguminosae. East Indies, Malaya. Received from Jamaica, January, 1907. Seed received from Mr. David Haughes, August, 1907. One of the most beautiful in the genus. On the low, moist lands it grows rapidly and soon forms a large evergreen tree with a broad expanse of branches, affording excellent shade. On the more hilly districts it is more or less deciduous during the flowering period, April and May. The flowers are produced in fascicles along the latest mature wood in profusion, are as large as apple blossoms, and white and pale rose-pink in color. The cylindrical pods are 12 to 20 inches long and about 5 wide, dark brown, filled with transverse pale-green sections, each containing a single brown seed. Our oldest, growing on shallow upland, is 35 feet high, with a trunk 22 inches in diameter. Cassia siamea Lam. Burmese Kassod Tree. East Indies, Malaya. Brought from Jamaica by Mr. Robert Cameron in January, 1906; courtesy of Dr. G. L. Goodale. Specimen 28 feet high, trunk 18 inches in diameter. A spreading evergreen tree with a branch expanse of 25 feet. The tree is of rapid growth, and on low moist land one of our specimens less than 6 years old is nearly 20 feet high, with an equally broad expanse of branches and a trunk 7 inches in diameter. The wood is comparatively hard, and streaky dark-brown in color. Large terminal panicles of smallish yellow flowers are produced in late summer, but continue to flower successively for three of four months. Castilloa elastica Cerv. Castilloa Rubber. Moraceae. Central America. Introduced from Jamaica by Mr. Robert Cameron; courtesy of Dr. G. L. Goodale.

28

GREY'S REPORT

A specimen on low moist ground, about 30 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 15 inches. Another tree planted on dry upland is 20 feet in height, with a trunk diameter of 12 inches. The tree is evergreen, affording good shade, for which it is frequently planted. I t grows in shady or sunny locations and on most all soils, but prefers low moist land. The flat, disc-like flower receptacle produces monoecious flowers, usually from February to May, which are followed by small, soft, orange-colored fruit. Self-sown seeds germinate freely around the parent tree and it has become more or less naturalized. Gives a good flow of latex in season, and is suitable for rubber culture under our growing conditions. Casuarina equisetifolia L. Beefwood, Horse-Tail Pine, Pino de Australia. Casuarinaceae. Australia. Introduced from Florida and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., 1903. A tall, open, slender tree, 40 feet high and a foot in diameter at the base. Monoecious, or sometimes dioecious. Spontaneous from self-sown seeds. Becoming naturalized to some extent in Cuba. I t grows well along the seacoast, and if cut back frequently it forms a dense bush useful as a windbreak. A rapid grower in open sun on rich moist land, but will grow in all soils and situations. Seeds ripen in February and March. Wood valuable. C. cunninghamii, C. glauca, C. suberosa, and C. tortuosum are also represented in the Arboretum, but are of more recent introduction. Cedrela odorata L. West Indian Cedar, Cedro. Meliaceae. West Indies. A tall, round-headed, deciduous tree. Common everywhere on rocky and hilly dry land, and also in the low bottom lands, where it grows more rapidly, forming specimens 25 feet high, with a base diameter of 11 to 15 inches. I t is more extensively used in carpentry, especially for cedar chests, cigar boxes, and furniture, than any other native wood. The wood is light but, notwithstanding its quick growth, is very durable and lasting under all weather conditions. Stumps of trees cut down 25 years ago, which have remained in the ground, are still solid. Our oldest Arboretum specimen, planted in 1908, is over 35 feet in height, with a trunk diameter of 30 inches. The tree flowers in late spring and the seed ripens in March of the following year. Ceiba pentandra Gaertn., Bombax pentandrum L., Eriodendron anfractuosum D. C. Kapok, Seiba, Silk-Cotton Tree. Bombacaceae. Nassau to Northern South America, Tropical Africa, and Asia. One of the noblest trees found in Cuba, of which old specimens exist everywhere; chiefly spared from the axe through superstition. The hair tufts contained in the seed pods supply most of the kapok or silk-cotton of commerce; extensively used for filling cushions, mattresses, pillows, etc. The bare trunk of our loftiest specimen reaches a height of over 40 feet and is crowned by a flat top of widespreading branches. The root buttresses are several feet in height and the trunk 4 feet in diameter. The tree grows in all classes of soil and under all conditions. A specimen, set out in 1902, measures 30 feet in height, with a base diameter of 20 inches. The trunk characteristic is not constant and, as in other Bombacaceae, some old trees have scarcely any trunk; the spreading branches come out just above the buttresses. The tree flowers from February to April and the seed pods ripen in late summer.

HARVARD GARDENS IN CUBA Chamaecyparis

pisifera

Sieb, and Zucc., var. squarrosa.

29 Pinaceae.

Japan.

Imported from Florida and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., 1906. Several species of the genus have been under trial cultivation here from time to time with indifferent results. C. pisifera grows very well for eight to ten years, after which it usually becomes ragged and unsightly. And none of the genus has ever flowered here. Our oldest specimens, derived from the original stock and planted on low moist ground, ten years ago, have made fine conical specimens 12 feet or more high and are still perfectly healthy. Young cuttings root freely in the sand bench. Chrysophyllum cainito L. Caimito, Star Apple. Sapotaceae. Tropical America, West Indies. Imported from Florida and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., December, 1901. Also collected native varieties in 1902. One of our most beautiful evergreen shade trees, of spreading habit with slender arching branches, and oblong leaves which are deep green above and lustrous golden-brown on the reverse side. Also grown for its globular, smooth fruits, which are 3 inches in diameter, containing a translucent pulp of good flavor and several flat blackish seeds. The oldest specimens are 25 to 30 feet in height, with a branch expanse of over 20 feet, and trunk diameter of 8 to 10 inches. The tree and fruit contain a milky juice. The wood is hard, rather fine grained, and violet colored. It is used in rural carpentry. The fruit ripens in March and April. C. monopyrenum Sw. Satin Leaf, Caimitillo. Is very common in our vicinity in rocky fields, open woods, and on nearly all soils. The tree is evergreen and forms a pretty specimen, but attains less height than the preceding species. The shiny dark-green leaves are silvery-brown beneath and one or two inches in length. The ovoid-oblong fruit is claret-purple or nearly black, about an inch long, and one-seeded. It is edible and rather sweet, but usually somewhat astringent. Cinnamomum

camphora T. Nees. & Eberm.

Camphor Tree.

Lauraceae.

China, Japan. Introduced from Florida and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., December, 1901. Also brought from Jamaica by Mr. Robert Cameron in January, 1907; courtesy of Dr. G. L. Goodale. The specimens are all living and in excellent health. The oldest specimen is pyramidal in shape, with branches almost to the ground, and is 20 feet in height. The trees grow very slowly and have never flowered here. They are planted on all classes of soil and in both sunny and shady locations, and appear to grow equally well under all conditions. Cinnamomum cassia Blume. Cassia Bark Tree, Canela de China. Lauraceae. Introduced from Florida and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., 1904. Also received from Dr. David Fairchild, Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., 1908. The oldest specimen, growing on good upland soil, has formed a beautiful spreading tree 28 feet high, with a spread of over 20 feet, and 2 feet through the butt. The tree is branched nearly to the ground. The young branches are more slender and twiggy than those of C. zeylanicum, and the persistent leaves smaller.

30

GREY'S REPORT

The tree is also more regular in shape and dense in growth. C. cassia flowers in February and March. The flowers are small, white, and produced on short spicate panicles. The seed ripens in late summet. The bark is often used as a substitute for cinnamon and is similar in flavor. Cinnamomum zeylanicum Nees. Canela de Ceilan, Cinnamon. Lauraceae. Ceylon. Introduced from Florida and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., December, 1901. Also from Jamaica in January, 1907, and from Ceylon through Professor J. C. Willis in October, 1908. The Florida specimen is about 15 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 8 inches. The tree is of irregular spreading growth, evergreen, and the large, stiff, dark-green foliage conspicuous. It grows best as an undershrub, or small tree, where some shade is afforded in good deep, drained land, but also makes a fine specimen on the shallower soils exposed to full sun. It has become spontaneous in some places through self-sown seeds, and has no special insect or fungus enemies. Citharoxylum cinereum L. Fiddle Wood, Palo Guitarra, Zither Wood. Verbenaceae. West Indies. A native tree of spreading habit, common in open woods in all soils and in part shade or fully exposed to sun. The flowers are small, white, sweet scented, and produced on short racemes. The purplish berries are eaten by birds. The wood is hard and employed in carpentry. A specimen planted in 1905 is over 20 feet in height, with a trunk diameter of 10 inches. Clusia rosea L. Copey. Clusiaceae. West Indies and Brazil. A wide-spreading native tree, found growing on rocks and other trees, the roots eventually entering into the ground. A specimen planted in 1904 is now 28 feet high, 40 feet through the branches, and with a trunk diameter of 2 feet. A fine, evergreen shade tree, with large, thick foliage and globose Waxy-white flowers produced in October and November. The fruit is round, pale green, attractive but not edible. Ripens in May. The hard, compact wood is brown in color and is used in carpentry. Coccoloba uvifera L. Sea Grape, Uva Öaleta, Kino, Uva del Mar. Polygonaceae. Florida Keys, West Indies, Tropical America. A shrubby evergreen tree of irregular, open habit, with stout, spreading branches which often issue from the trunk base. The large coriaceous leaves are orbicular or sub-reniform in shape, with clasping leaf-sheaths. The tree is common on scrub land and along the rocky seashore, but adapts itself to various soils and situations in the Garden, from deep, rich land along the pond to dry uplands. Specimens planted in 1903 are 20 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 10 inches or more. Flowers inconspicuous, produced on pendant racemes in April and May, and followed by purplish, sub-acid, round, edible berries. Coffea arabica L., the common coffee tree, grows nicely here and is cultivated in the hill ranges on a commercial scale. The berries are not large and are often one-seeded, but the coffee is of good flavor. A small plot of the native variety, planted in 1902 for experiment on our clayey soil, practically at sea level, has grown very well and produced very fair crops of berries. This variety grows best in the hills, however, where the nights are cooler, the moisture and dewfall

HARVARD GARDENS IN CUBA

31

greater, and winter rains more frequent. The tree flowers in February and March, and the berries ripen from late October to December. Coffea liberica Hiern. Liberian Coffee Tree. Rubiaceae. Tropical West Africa. Imported from Florida and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., in December, 1903. The trees have grown vigorously and are now healthy specimens 12 to 15 feet in height. They have borne good crops of berries annually for many years. Aside from the commercial value of the coffee, which is of very fair flavor, the tree is of upright, rather dense growth, with branches down to the ground and bright-green large leaves, and when in fruit is quite ornamental. The large berries in ripening change from red to claret color, remain for a long time on the trees, and are quite attractive. The species is suitable for cultivation on various soils, is moderately drought-resistant, and grows best when given some shade. The flowers are produced in February and March. Coffea zanquebariae Lour.

(C. zanzibarensis Hort.)

Rubiaceae. E a s t Africa.

Received from Dr. David Fairchild, Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., in 1910. This species forms a rather close, erect, smooth shrub, with small, bright darkgreen leaves. Our specimens are 10 feet in height, perfectly healthy, and produce moderate crops of small, vinous black berries usually containing a single roundish seed. The coffee prepared from the beans is very strong and not very pleasant in flavor. The species is quite drought-resistant and requires good soil and some shade for best results. Cordia gerasGanthoides Kunth. Capa-Prieta, Varia, Varia Prieta. Boraginaceae. Cuba, Guatemala to Brazil. A tall, upright native tree added to the Arboretum in 1902. Specimens 25 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 10 inches. The wood is heavy, hard, dark brown in color, and used extensively in cabinet work and general carpentry. A tree common on the seacoast and rolling uplands in rather dry or rocky soils, in part shade or full exposure to sun. The clusters of white flowers appear in February and March and the seeds ripen in May. This species often forms groves and when growing rather close strips its branches and makes fine straight timber. Cordia macrophylla Mill. Ataje, Moral. Boraginaceae. West Indies. A large evergreen tree of irregular habit, with drooping or horizontal branches and large obovate or oblong-pointed leaves, producing short, paniculate clusters of whitish flowers, followed by bright-red berries the size of currants; edible, and attractive to birds. Our specimen, planted in 1902, is 28 feet high, with a trunk diameter of one foot. The timber is frequently employed in rough carpentry work. Cordia sebestena L. Geiger Tree. Boraginaceae. West Indies, Bahamas to Guiana. A small evergreen tree, with scabrous oval or ovate leaves, producing cymose panicles of large orange-scarlet flowers at various seasons of the year, and ovate white fruit. Native specimens added to the Arboretum in 1903 are 15 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 10 inches. The tree reaches its full height in about 10

32

GREY'S REPORT

years. A beverage made from the leaves, called "anacahuita," is used in pulmonary troubles by the natives. Other species of more recent introduction are grown in the Arboretum. Couroupita guianensis Aubl. Cannon Ball Tree. Lecythidaceae. Guiana. Brought from Jamaica by Mr. Robert Cameron, January, 1907; courtesy of Dr. G. L. Goodale. This specimen is 28 feet high, with a trunk over 18 inches in thickness. It flowered in 1921, fruited in 1922. An erect-growing tree with irregular stout branches and large, obovate-oblong, conspicuously veined leaves. Succeeds equally well on low, rich land and on the shallow hilly land open to full sun exposure or in part shade. The large, thick, tortuous-branching flower panicles issue from the trunk and older branches, are about 3 feet in length, but continue to elongate and flower for two or three years. The large, thick, waxy flowers are yellow, rose-pink, and white in color, with the curious stamen arrangement characteristic in this family. The rough, russet-colored fruit is round, 5 to 8 inches in diameter, with a hard, thin shell. The pasty contents, in which the seeds are imbedded, is white, but on exposure becomes greenish and has an offensive odor. Crescentia cujete L. Calabash Tree, Guira, Jicara Tree. Bignoniaceae. Southern Florida, West Indies, Tropical America. A small-sized tree of open growth, with tortuous, horizontal, or drooping branches and rounded or flat top, with oblanceolate or spatulate small leaves 3 to 6 inches long. The solitary flowers issue from the sides of the trunk and old branches and are about 2\ inches long. The corolla tube is broad, deflexcampanulate, crimped and toothed on margins and variable in color from whitishgreen to green with purplish stripes, or green suffused with dull purple. The fruit, or gourd, is pendent, globose, with a hard shell, usually 8 to 15 inches in diameter. When cut in half and cleaned, they are in common use as kitchen utensils, work baskets, etc. The pulp (which has a disagreeable odor), mixed with other ingredients, is used medicinally for catarrhal and chest affections. Common in stony fields and open woods. A small fruited variety, Güira cimarrona, found wild in the hills, has a more upright character of growth, smaller foliage, pale whitish-green flowers, and fruit 2 or 3 inches in diameter. The branches and trunks are planted in the fence rows for live posts, and the fruit is made into drinking cups, stocking plummets, etc. A third variety in the Arboretum, stated as native to West Africa, kindly contributed by Dr. David Fairchild, Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., in 1907, is intermediate between the two forementioned. It is taller in growth, with more ascendant branches, pale-green flowers, and fruit about 5 inches in diameter. This specimen is 18 feet high, with a trunk 12 inches in diameter. Cupania americana L. Guira. Sapindaceae.

A native, evergreen small tree with spreading branches, affording good shade. Specimens planted on moist land in 1904 are 18 to 20 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 9 inches. The small white flowers appear in March and are followed by clusters of round, indented velvety-brown seed capsules f of an inch in diameter. A common species, abundant on all soils and under various growing conditions. The wood is rather soft, but strong, and takes a fine polish. Used in rural carpentry.

HARVARD GARDENS IN CUBA

33

Cupressus lusitanica Mill, variety knightiana Rehd. (C. knightiana Knight & Perry.) Coniferae. Mexico. Imported and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., January, 1906. Original specimen is 25 feet high. Trunk diameter 11 inches. Trunk erect, with ragged, semi-pendulous branches. One of the few species suitable for cultivation on our various soils, under our changeable climatic conditions, and is quite drought-resistant, but has never flowered. Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. Sissoo Tree. Leguminosae. India. Received from the Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., 1907; courtesy of Dr. David Fairchild. Forms an erect, evergreen tree of irregular contour and rather open character, with compound pinnate foliage. Original specimens vary in height from 30 to nearly 40 feet, with a large expanse of branches, and a trunk diameter of 14 to 24 inches. The tree grows well on either rich bottom lands or shallow, hilly lands and is very drought-resistant. It is more symmetrical and vigorous when grown on good land in open situations, however. The timber is hard and durable. The whitish flowers are produced in abundance on short axillary panicles in March and April, followed by slender, flat, one- to two-seeded pods. Root suckers are freely produced around the old specimens, and the species has become naturalized from self-sown seeds. Dillenia indica L. (D. speciosa Thurib.) Dillenaceae. Tropical Asia. Presented by Mr. Robert Cameron, January, 1908. A low, spreading, evergreen tree 20 feet high with, an expanse of branches covering 20 feet and reaching almost to the ground. The stiff, oblong, serrate leaves are 6 to 8 inches long and deeply pinnate veined. The large, showy white flowers are 7 to 8 inches in diameter and borne singly. The fruit is tightly enclosed in the persistent sepals, which increase in size and thickness after flowering, and resemble a large green apple. They ripen in January and February and remain a long time on the tree. The original specimen is growing on sloping, clayey land, open to full sun. Diospyros discolor Willd. Mabolo Fruit. Ebenaceae. Philippines. Brought from Jamaica by Mr. Robert Cameron, January, 1907; courtesy of Dr. G. L. Goodale. Growing" on good land in a sunny location, this species has formed a handsome, evergreen, conical, spreading tree 22 feet high, with a branch expanse of 20 feet and a trunk diameter of one foot. The large, oblong, leathery leaves are rounded at the base and acutely pointed, rich green above and glaucous, silky beneath. The round or oblate fruit is the size of a large peach, heavily velutine setose and yellow suffused with red. The tree grows successfully on either high or low land, in open or partly shaded locations, is drought-resistant, and gives excellent shade. The fruit is edible, but has a musty odor. The wood is hard and takes a fine polish. Diospyros kaki L. f . (D. chinensis Blume, D. schitse Bunge, D. roxburghii Carr.) Japanese Persimmon, Kaki Fruit. Ebenaceae. China and Japan. Several varieties imported from Florida. Contributed by E. F. Atkins, Esq., December, 1902.

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34

Large shrubs 10 to 12 feet high. Of the 8 or 10 varieties grown here, Triumph has proved very satisfactory. It is by far the most rapid grower and produces an abundance of fruit. Diospyros texana Scheele. Texas Ebony. Ebenaceae. Texas, New Mexico. Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., 1909; courtesy of Dr. David Fair child. Said to attain a height of 40 feet, but our original specimen is not over 10 feet high and is as much in diameter through the branches. It forms a close, twiggy bush, with small, obovate, dark-green leaves. The oblate fruit is almost black, with juice of the same color, and is nearly an inch in diameter. Flowers in April and May. Fruit ripens in September and October. Non-edible, but produces a black stain. Our specimen is growing on rather dry upland, open to sun. Diospyros virginiana L. Southern Persimmon. Ebenaceae. Imported from Florida by E. F. Atkins, Esq., in 1902, it has never made a fine-shaped specimen. It sends up numerous shoots from the base, forming a large bush, which up to the present time has failed to produce fruit. It appears to be characteristic of this species to grow in bush form here, as younger specimens pursue a like course. Elaeodendron Orientale Jacq. Colpoon Tree, Wild Olive. Celastraceae. Madagascar, Mauritius. Introduced from Florida in 1905, and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq. A healthy, erect evergreen tree, 15 feet high. Trunk diameter 7 inches. Rather sparsely branched, bearing smooth, lance-ovate, acute, crennate leaves with whitish veins. Flowers small, whitish, on close short racemes, April and May; followed by small, round, dryish fruit. Growing on shallow, dry soil in part shade. Enterolobium cyclocarpum Grieseb. Arbol de las Orejas, Elephant's Ear, Jew's Ear. Leguminosae. West Indies, Spanish Main. Seeds presented by Professor John C. Willis, R. B. G., Peradiniya, Ceylon, October, 1907. Also by Mr. David Haughes, Division of Forestry, Honolulu, Η. T., August, 1907. The original specimens, planted on moderately good, rolling land, have attained a height of over 30 feet, with a spread of branches 40 feet in diameter and trunks 2 feet thick. A deciduous tree with wide-spreading branches and a flat or round top. The white flowers are produced in globose heads in March and April. The flat brown pods are constricted on one side and form a semicircle or full circle in the native variety. They ripen from January to March. Eriobotrya japonica

Lindl.

(Photinia japoniGa Gray.)

Loquat, Nispero de

Japon. Rosaceae. Japan, China. Imported from Florida, December, 1901; contributed by E. F. Atkins, Esq. A compact, evergreen shrub, or small tree, branching out from near the ground. The large, stiff leaves are 6 to 10 inches long, obovate to oblong, serrate and conspicuously pinnate nerved. Close, terminal panicles of small white flowers are produced from January to March and again in the autumn. The obovate, yellow fruit is 1 to inches long, edible, of mild flavor, and contains one or two large seeds. It ripens in February and March and also in October. The original plant, growing on shallow, poor land, is 15 feet high. It grows in full sun or part shade.

HARVARD GARDENS IN CUBA

35

Erythrina corallodendron L. Coral Tree, Pinon Espinosa, Pifion de Costa. Leguminosae. West Indies. Collected for the Arboretum in 1903. Some of the specimens are 25 feet high, with trunks one foot in diameter. A small, deciduous tree, producing bright-scarlet flowers from February to May, and frequently at other seasons, followed by tortuous pods containing bright scarlet, lens-shaped seeds. This species is seldom planted for ornament but is extensively used for fencing. Sections of the trunk and branches planted along the fences soon produce roots and grow, forming live fence posts — an economic consideration in the upkeep of fence lines. Grows on all lands and locations and is very drought-resistant. Erythrina monosperma Gaud. Wiliwili. Leguminosae. Hawaiian Islands, cultivated in tropical countries. Seeds received from Mr. David Haughes, Division of Forestry, Honolulu, Η. T., August, 1907. Original specimen 15 feet high and as much through the branches, with a trunk diameter of one foot. A low-growing, open, deciduous tree with grayish bark bearing numerous small thorns, rather stout branches and leaves consisting of three dull-green, broadly ovate leaflets. The flowers are bright scarlet, less showy than E. indica and E. speciosa. The seed pods are short and 2- to 3-seeded. Eucalyptus albens Miq. (E. hemiphloia var. albens F. v. Μ.) White Box. Myrtaceae. Java. Seeds received from Dr. David Fairchild, Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., 1907. A tree of exceedingly free growth on both shallow, hilly ground, and moist, low lands, with a preference for the latter, however. The trunk is erect and the branches more spreading than in most of our species. The flowers are produced from March to May with the new growth, and viable seeds are produced in abundance. Our specimens on the dry uplands are 40 to 45 feet in height, with trunk diameters of 18 to 24 inches. Eucalyptus citriodora Hook. Lemon-scented Gum. Myrtaceae. Australia. Introduced from Florida and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., 1910. A tall, erect, rapid-growing species, which sheds its lower branches early, retaining only those near the summit. The original specimen, growing on fair upland soil, in an open location, is nearly 40 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 10 inches. Flowers in April and May and produces quantities of fertile seed. The foliage is highly lemon-scented, and the extract is used in toilet water, soaps, and perfumery. The wood is hard, fine, straight-grained, and used in carpentry. Eucalyptus globulus Labill. Blue Gum. Myrtaceae. Australia. Seeds received on numerous occasions from various sources and tested on all soils and situations. Its cultivation, however, has never been a success here. Seeds germinate freely and young trees grow rapidly and remain healthy for from five to eight years, attaining a height of 15 to 20 feet. On appearance of its characteristic or mature (lance-acuminate) leaves, about the flowering stage, the trees die back from the top downward. Numerous robust branches are produced from the trunk-base which eventually also die. The leaves contain an antiseptic oil and are held in great esteem by the natives, who make a decoction from the leaves for catarrhal and bronchial troubles.

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Eucalyptus resinifera Smith. Gray or Red Gum, Red Mahogany, Leather Jacket. Myrtaceae. Australia. Imported from Florida and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., 1910. Planted on low, rather dry land, has attained a height of 28 feet, with a butt 10 inches in diameter. An upright, irregular-shaped, branching tree, with rough bark; grows well, but seldom forms a handsome specimen. The wood is red, hard, and useful for fence posts, as it is durable under ground. Flowers freely here and produces viable seed in abundance. Eucalyptus robusta Smith. Swamp Mahogany. Myrtaceae. Australia. Imported from Florida and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., 1906. Seeds received from Mr. David Haughes, Division of Forestry, Honolulu, Η. T., August, 1907. Original specimen 35 feet high. Trunk diameter 15 inches. A symmetrical tall tree with large, more or less spreading branches, and broad, glaucous, lanceolate leaves. Grows freely on dry hilly land in clay soil, and on the rich bottom lands, in either sunny or shady locations. Useful in landscape planting and a very good shade tree. Flowers are produced in April and May, followed by a copious supply of fertile seed. Eucalyptus rostrata Schlect. Red Gum. Myrtaceae. Australia. Imported from Florida and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., in 1909. Specimen 35 feet high, trunk diameter 7 inches. Growing on deep, fertile soil on pond margin. Tree of tall, irregular, slender habit. Sheds lower branches early. Flowers and produces fertile seed freely. Wood hard and durable, useful in posts and outdoor carpentry. Eucalyptus tereticornis Smith. Forest Gray Gum, Slaty Gum, Flooded Gum. Myrtaceae. Australia. Introduced from Florida and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., 1906. Trunk slender, tall, irregular, 33 feet high, 10 inches in diameter. Sparingly branched upward. Flowers in April and May and produces seeds freely. Growing on poor, low land in part shade. Several other species of Eucalyptus of more recent introduction are also under cultivation in the Arboretum. Eugenia (Syzygium) jambolana Lamb. Jambolan Plum. East Indies. Java, Malaya. Myrtaceae. Received from Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., July, 1909; courtesy of Dr. David Fairchild. Two specimens received. One of these, planted on shallow upland soil in an exposed dry location, is 25 feet high, with a spread of branches 25 feet and trunk diameter of 15 inches. The other specimen, planted in rich low land along the Garden stream, is 30 feet high, 25 feet through the branches, and has a trunk diameter of 2 feet. Both plants flower in February and March, but the one on the high land produces very little fruit. Fruit purple, oblong, one inch long. The tree is evergreen, rather dense, and an excellent shade tree. Eugenia jambos L.

(Jambosa vulgaris D. C., Jambosa jambos Millsp.)

Jam-

bosade, Rose Apple, Pomarrosa. Myrtaceae. Naturalized in some localities but native to India. Introduced from Florida and contributed by E. F. Atkins, Esq., December, 1901. A fine, spreading, round-headed tree, with somewhat pendulous branchlets,

37

HARVARD GARDENS IN CUBA

and oblong-lanceolate, stiff, dark-green foliage 6 to 10 inches long. The flowers, consisting of a cluster of sulphury-white, tassel-like stamens, over 2 | inches in diameter, are fragrant. The small fruits are edible, with a flavor of rose petals, but rather dry. They are used in confections and jellies. Flowering season March to May. One of the original specimens is 20 feet high, 35 feet through the branches, with a trunk 15 inches in diameter. They are growing on dry upland soil. Wild specimens on moist bottom lands are of more upright growth and frequently 40 or 50 feet in height. It is a beautiful evergreen tree, of importance for avenue planting, grows well on nearly all soils, in sun or shade. Eugenia

(Syzygium)

operculatum

Roxb.

Rai-Jaman.

Myrtaceae.

Lahore,

India. Received from Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., March, 1915; courtesy of Dr. David Fairchild. Planted on hilly, moderately good soil, in sunny location. A tall, smooth evergreen tree of spreading habit, with large, shining leaves. Tree 25 feet high, with a trunk 15 inches in diameter. Excellent as a shade tree and for landscape planting. Wood useful in general carpentry. The short clusters of white flowers, produced in late spring, are followed by black-purple fruit, inches long, which ripens in August and is of fair, subacid flavor. Eugenia uniflora L. Pitanga, Surinam Cherry. Myrtaceae. Tropical Brazil. Introduced from Florida, 1905, and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq. Specimens 12 feet high, with a spread of branches 10 to 12 feet in diameter. It is an excellent symmetrical subject for lawn and landscape planting and is also employed for hedge rows. The white flowers, on long pedicels, are produced in March, and the edible, oblate, ribbed, red or dark-purple colored berries, less than an inch in diameter, ripen in April and May. They are of fair flavor and are frequently used for jam and preserving. Grows well in sun and shade and is not particular regarding soil. Ficus benjamina L. Weeping Fig. Moraceae. India. Introduced from Florida in 1912 and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq. Also received from Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., in 1918 (Dr. David Fairchild). The original specimen is 30 feet high, with an expanse of branches 30 feet in diameter. The tree bears some resemblance to F. nitida, but the branches are slender and of drooping habit, and the berries, which ripen in early winter, are globular and bright red in color. Grows well on low moist ground, but is also a good subject for hilly locations and shallow land, as it is quite drought-resistant. A fine tree for avenue planting. Ficus crassinervia Desf. Jaguey Macho. Moraceae. West Indies. A large, robust, spreading, deciduous tree found growing on rocky situations. The seeds usually germinate on dead trunks and rocks, sending down large tap roots, which later form the trunk. Leaves oval-oblong, cordate at base, conspicuously nerved, and 5 to 8 or more inches long. The figs are f of an inch in diameter, oblate, purplish with white dots; used for preserving but are of little merit. A specimen planted in 1904 is now 35 feet high, with a branch diameter of 40 feet and trunk 22 inches thick near the base. Grows on all soils and locations and affords good summer shade.

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GREY'S REPORT

Ficus elastica Roxb. Assam or India Rubber, Goma Elastica. Moraceae. Tropical Asia. Sparingly introduced. A common evergreen tree cultivated for its excellent shade. Fine for landscape and avenue planting on all lands in partly shaded or sunny locations. Should not be planted too close to drains, dwellings, or sidewalks, however, as the large roots travel for many yards near the ground surface and cause much damage. Specimens planted in 1902 are 40 to 45 feet high, with an equally large expanse of branches, and trunk diameter of 15 to 18 inches. Flowers from January to April. Ficus glabella Blume. Malay Rubber. Moraceae. Malaya. Introduced from Florida, 1908, and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq. A slow-growing, compact, evergreen tree, 20 feet in height, with a trunk diameter of 9 inches, growing on fertile but rather dry soil. Ficus glomerata Roxb. Cluster Fig. Moraceae. Australia. Introduced from Florida and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., in 1908. A spreading evergreen specimen 32 feet in height, over 35 feet in diameter through the branches, with a trunk diameter of 15 inches. The large surface roots near the trunk are exposed and sometimes form small buttresses. The branches are numerous, the outer ones slightly arched, leaves thin, elliptic-acute, veins prominent beneath. Fruit produced very freely along the trunk branches and sometimes on the exposed roots, in paniculate clusters. Figs over an inch long, pear-shaped; seldom ripen without artificial pollination. The tree grows very rapidly on low, moist land, in sun or part shade. A fine shade tree. Ficus religiosa L. Alamo, Bo Tree, Peepul Tree. Moraceae. India. Planted everywhere as a shade tree. Added to the Arboretum in 1906. This specimen is growing on poor, dry upland soil and has made a fine, spreading evergreen tree 25 feet high, 25 feet in diameter through the branches, and 15 inches in trunk diameter. Growth is much more rapid on low, moist land, however, where specimens planted 10 years ago are greater in size, with a trunk diameter of 2 feet. The tree adapts itself to all soils and situations, stands severe pruning without injury, and, as a shade tree for city parks in Cuba, is planted more extensively than any other tree. Ficus retusa L. (F. nitida Thunb.) Laurel de la India or Indian Laurel. Moraceae. India, Tropical Asia. A rapid-growing, evergreen tree of spreading habit, with dark-green coriaceous leaves 4 or 5 inches long, broadly lance-shaped, with a short petiole. Of compact, symmetrical growth. Commonly grown as a shade tree for highways and parks through the island. Grows on hilly lands and moist bottoms, in full sun or part shade, on all soils, freely. Specimen planted in the Arboretum in 1904 is 40 feet high, 45 feet through the branches, with a trunk diameter of 3 feet. Many other species of Ficus, both native and exotic, are under cultivation in the Arboretum, but are more recent additions. Fraxinus berlandieri D. C. Mexican Ash. Oleaceae. Southern United States, Mexico. Brought from Mexico by Professor Pringle in 1902. A tall-growing, deciduous tree of rapid growth on nearly all soils and situations. Soft-wooded cuttings root freely in the cutting bench. Specimens planted from cuttings in 1903 are 38 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 2 feet.

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39

Funtumia elastica Stapf. Lagos Silk Rubber, Congo Rubber. Apocynaceae. Tropical Africa. Brought from Hope Gardens, Jamaica, by Mr. Robert Cameron, January, 1907; courtesy of Dr. George L. Goodale. The height of the largest specimen is 31 feet, and the trunk diameter 12 inches. It is growing on low moist land in part shade. The same species, planted at the same period on drier upland, in a sunny location, is scarcely 20 feet high but equally healthy. The tree is upright, evergreen, with slender branches and dark-green elliptic oblong leaves. It is best adapted for our low moist lands, among other trees. The small white flowers appear in close axillary clusters from February to April. The double seed pods are clavate, flattened on one side, are 4 to 6 inches long and usually ripen from March to June, but occasionally at other seasons. The viable seeds show a high percentage of germination. Garcinia cochinchinensis (Lour.) Chois. Guttiferae. Southern China.

Spon-

taneous from self-sown seeds. Received from the Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., 1909; courtesy of Dr. David Fairchild. Original specimen 22 feet high, trunk 10 inches in diameter. A fine evergreen shade tree, with stout, angular, green branches, and glossy, leathery, dark-green oblong leaves, often 10 inches in length. The small, whitish-green flowers appear in axillary fascicles, from March to May. The fruits are spherical, often acutely pointed, about 2 inches in diameter, and buff-yellow. They are edible, subacid in flavor, and are frequently used in sherbets. The fruit ripens from December to April. Garcinia morella Desr. Ceylon Gamboge Tree. Guttiferae. Bengal, Ceylon, Siam. Seeds received from Dr. John C. Willis, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, Ceylon, October, 1907. Less robust in growth than the preceding species. A symmetrical, rather dense, evergreen species, with slender branches and thin, coriaceous, ovate-elliptical, dark-green leaves. The axillary flowers are few in number, yellowish. Fruit the size of a small olive, edible, rather tart. Our specimen, growing on dry upland soil, is 12 feet high, with a slender trunk inches in diameter. It has grown slowly but is perfectly healthy. The yellow gum when dry becomes powdery. Garcinia spicata (Wight & Am.).

Hook. f . F u k u j i Gum. Guttiferae.

Riu

Kiu Islands, Japan. Received from the Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., March, 1908; courtesy of Dr. David Fairchild. A slow-growing, evergreen, shrubby tree, somewhat conical in shape, with dense, short, stocky, green branches from the ground up, and stiff coriaceous ovate to elliptic leaves, 3 or 4 inches long. Flowers axillary, clusters of 4 to 12 on short, stout pedicels, white. Fruit small, oval to ovate, of little value. Original specimen 17 feet high. Flowers from March to May. This species is used for hedge work in Japan but makes a fine specimen for park planting. It is droughtresistant, grows on various soils and in open or shaded locations, but prefers welldrained, deep, moist soil, and a little shade to ensure best results. The tree and fruit contain a viscous milky juice. Garcinia tinctoria (D. C.). W.F.Wight. Gamboge Tree. Guttiferae. Southern Asia. Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., 1908 and 1909; courtesy of Dr. David Fairchild.

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GREY'S REPORT

An evergreen, symmetrical, somewhat spreading tree, of robust habit and moderate growth, with stout, angular, green branches and large, shiny, coriaceous, oblong, pointed leaves, 8 to 10 inches long and rich, deep green in color. A most excellent shade tree for park or driveway. Specimens planted on the high lands in clay soil, open to full sun, have made healthy growth 20 to 22 feet high, with an 8-inch trunk diameter. Others planted along the Garden stream in deep, moist land, with some shade, are rather more luxuriant in appearance but no greater in height. The tree flowers from March to May and occasionally at other seasons. Flowers in axillary fascicles, 5 to 12 in number, on rather long, clavate pedicels, small and greenish-white in color. Fruit is globular, pointed, to 2 inches in diameter, yellow throughout, and ripens from January to April. Is edible but rather tart in flavor. The green fruit contains a viscid greenishyellow fluid. Volunteer seedlings are numerous around the old trees. Genipa americana L. Marmalade Box, Genipap. Rubiaceae. Caribbean Islands, Spanish Main. Imported from Florida and donated by E. F. Atkins, Esq., 1906. An open, evergreen tree of upright habit, with oblong, pointed leaves 8 to 12 inches in length; 27 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 14 inches. Growing on clayey upland soil in part shade. Flowers on axillary peduncles, small, whitish. Fruit spindle-shaped, 2 to 4 inches long, with a thick leathery russet-green skin; flesh-white, yellow-brown, or purplish in color; edible but unpalatable. Used in marmalade. Ripens from December to May. The wood is light in weight, yellowish-green, and sometimes used in carpentry. Genipa caruto Kth. Jagua, Jaguilla. Rubiaceae. Cuba, West Indies. A native tree common on the hillsides in stony, clay soil. Evergreen, and of rather more spreading habit than the preceding species. Of rapid growth, attaining its full height, about 20 feet, in 12 years. Flowers white, corolla tube velutine. Fruit edible, but of poor quality. The leaves are 10 to 14 inches in length, obovate-oblong. Gliricidia maculata Η. Β. K. Bien Vestida, Pinon Florido, Madre de Cacao. Leguminosae. Guatemala, Northern South America, naturalized in Cuba. Received through courtesy of Dr. David Fairchild, 1908, Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C. Specimen 18 feet high, trunk one foot in diameter. A small, spreading, deciduous tree, seldom over 20 feet high, used extensively for live fence posts. Branches and pieces of the trunk, when inserted in the ground, root freely and supply summer shade quickly, where desired. Flowers light rose-pink, produced in profusion on short racemes. Pod flat, light-brown in color. Blooms in March and April. Gliricidia platycarpa Griseb. Jurabina, Jayabacana. Leguminosae. West Indies. A small, native deciduous tree of rapid growth. More robust than the preceding, with broad leaflets and larger inflorescence of similar color. Blooms from March to May. The wood is light-yellow in color and used in carpentry; also for live fence posts, for which it is well adapted.

HARVARD GARDENS IN CUBA

41

Grevillea robusta Cunn. Silk Oak. Proteaceae. South Australia. Seed imported and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., 1905. Seeds were also received from the Division of Forestry, Honolulu, Η. T., August, 1907, through kindness of Mr. David Haughes. The oldest specimen is 34 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 20 inches. A tree of somewhat spreading habit and upright growth, irregularly branched. The orange-yellow flowers are unilateral, on short racemes, terminal on the old wood, and appear in April and May. Produces viable seed and occasionally volunteer seedlings. The tree is distinct in appearance and desirable for general planting. It grows under all of our soil and climatic conditions. Guazuma tomentosa Kunth. Guasima. Sterculiaceae. West Indies. A semi-evergreen, spreading tree, with slender branches and alternate, lanceoblong leaves with a semi-cordate base and serrate margin. The young shoots are fuscous pubescent. Flowers are produced on short axillary panicles in April and May, are dull-yellow and very fragrant. The nutlet is corrugated or tuberculate, oval to round, f to one inch in diameter, and 5-celled, containing numerous small, grayish seeds. The tree is frequently planted in pastures and along corral fences as it grows rapidly, affords good shade, and the nutlets contain a sweet substance which is nourishing to hogs and cattle. Ripens in April and May. Guasima grows on the hills on stony land as well as on the low moist soils in sun and shade. The wood is a good fuel, makes good charcoal, is employed for staves, hoe-handles, shoe-lasts, and in general rural carpentry. It is usually white or grayish in color. Specimens planted 15 years ago vary in height from 25 to 30 feet, fully as much in diameter through the branches, with a trunk diameter of 12 to 15 inches. Haematoxylon campechianum L. Logwood, Palo de Campeche. Leguminosae. Native to Trinidad; Yucatan to Guiana, and naturalized in most tropical countries. Specimens presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., in 1905, are 20 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 15 inches. A rather slow-growing evergreen tree, with twiggy branches and leaves composed of 6 to 8 tiny leaflets. The small, yellow, sweetscented flowers are produced on short axillary racemes from January to March; the seeds ripen in April and May, and volunteer seedlings are numerous. Harpephyllum caffrum Beruh. Ciruela de los Cafres, Kaffir Plum. Anacardiaceae. South Africa. Received from Dr. David Fairchild, Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., 1907. Height 20 feet, trunk diameter 10 inches. An evergreen, spreading tree, with horizontal and arched, contorted branches. Leaves odd-pinnate, with subfalcate, dark-green leaflets which are collected near the apex of the branches. Flowers, small, white, dioecious on short axillary racemes, in April and May. The oval, dull-red fruit, less than an inch long, is edible and ripens in September. Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg. Para Rubber, Caucho del Parä. Euphoribiaceae. Brazil. Brought from Jamaica and presented by Mr. Robert Cameron, January, 1907. An upright, deciduous tree, with slender, horizontal branches and thin leaves,

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GREY'S REPORT

composed of 3 lanceolate leaflets on long petioles. Tiny, pale yellow-green flowers are produced on short, slender, spicked panicles around the base of the new growth, in March and April, and the globose nuts ripen in autumn. Our trees, planted on low, moist land, in both shade and sun, grew very slowly during the first five years, but have since made fairly rapid growth and are 22 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 6 inches. Hibiscus elatus Sw.

(Paritium

elatum Sw.)

Emajagua, Mountain Mahoe.

Malvaceae. American Tropics. Presented by Mr. Robert Cameron, courtesy of Dr. George L. Goodale, Jamaica, 1907. A tall, conical tree with coarse, broadly cordate-ovate, pointed leaves, 5 to 10 inches broad, and large flowers, several inches in diameter, which are bright yellow and red, changing to dull red with age. Cordage is manufactured from the bast, and the wood is employed in various branches of carpentry. The original tree is growing on high land in good soil and is 25 feet in height, with a trunk diameter of 18 inches. The tree grows on all soils, and in the open or partly shaded. Flowers at various seasons, seeds freely, and grows spontaneously from selfsown seeds. Hibiscus tiliaceus L. {Paritium tiliaceum Juss.)

M a j a g u a . Cuban Bast, Mal-

vaceae. Cuba and Mexico to Brazil. A common native evergreen tree, similar to the preceding species but of more spreading habit. Cordage, made from the bast, forms a large commercial industry in Cuba, and the dull, greenish wood is used in the manufacture of furniture, and supplies the finest baseball bats. Our oldest specimens, planted in 1903, are over 25 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 2 feet. Flowers at all seasons and is adapted for cultivation on all soils and locations. Hura crepitans L. Haba, Monkey's Dinner Bell, Salvadera, Sand-Box. Euphorbiaceae. Cuba to Brazil. A large, spreading or round-headed evergreen tree with wide-spreading and drooping branches, giving excellent shade; but the wood is brittle, soft, and easily broken by the wind. Both trunk and branches are studded with coarse prickles. The leaves are broadly cordate and pointed, usually 2 to 4 inches wide and dark green in color. Flowers monoecious, not very conspicuous, but interesting; single and usually axillary; the staminate ones densely imbricated, reddish. The seed pods are oblate, round, many-ribbed, and contain numerous flat, round seeds of a pleasant sweet flavor, but poisonous, which is one objection to planting it. The tree grows in all soils and situations, in sun and shade, and is very droughtresistant. In dry, hot weather the seed pods burst with a loud report and scatter the seeds for a long distance. They germinate and grow in abundance around the old trees. Our oldest specimen, planted in 1903, is 33 feet high, with a branch spread of 35 feet and a trunk diameter of 2 feet. Jacaranda mimosaefolia D. Don.

(J. ovalifolia R. Br.)

Rose-Wood.

Bigno-

niaceae. Brazil. Received from Mr. Robert Cameron, Jamaica, January, 1907; courtesy of Dr. George L. Goodale. Specimen 25 feet high and 12 inches through the trunk. Growing in part shade on open, shallow, rather dry, clayey soil. A semi-deciduous tree of open

HARVARD GARDENS IN CUBA

43

growth, with large, fernlike foliage and terminal inflorescence. The tubular flowers are freely produced from March to May in loose panicles, and are bright blue in color. The beautiful colored wood takes a bright polish and is used in cabinet-making and veneer work. Seed ripe in October. Juniperus barbadensis L. West Indian Red Cedar, Sabina de Costa, Enebro Criollo. Coniferae. West Indies; Bahamas to Jamaica. Collected in the mountains in 1905. Original specimen 19 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 9 inches. Habit similar to the northern red cedar, but rather finer in growth and with smaller berries. The tree makes excellent growth on our shallow, hilly lands, in both open and partly shaded locations, and although, apparently, solely pistillate, produces viable seeds. Cuttings root freely in the sand bench. Kigelia pinnata D. C. Sausage Tree. Bignoniaceae. Mauritius, Nubia. Received from Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., 1915, through kindness of Dr. David Fairchild. Specimen 18 feet high, trunk one foot in diameter. An evergreen, open, irregular, spreading tree, with rather coarse branches and ash-like foliage. The large, yellow-veined, maroon-colored flowers are velvety, and loosely arranged on pendulous racemes, 2 to 4 feet long, and appear in March and April. The cylindrical fruit is 6 to 9 inches long and 2 or more inches in diameter and ripens in October. An open forest tree, growing well on shallow clay soil, and quite drought-resistant. Lagerstrioemia

speciosa Pers.

(L. Flos-Reginae

Retz.)

Queen of Flowers.

Lythraceae. India to Australia. Imported from Florida and donated by E. F. Atkins, Esq., in 1904. Also received from various other sources. The original specimen is over 20 feet in height, with a trunk diameter of 2 feet. A symmetrical, round-headed, semi-deciduous tree of spreading habit, suitable for planting on almost any land in part shade or in the open, and is quite drought-resistant. Terminal panicles of large, rose-colored flowers are produced in great abundance in April and May. Volunteer specimens are not common but the seeds germinate freely. A fine subject for landscape work. This species is quite distinct from L. indica L., the crape-myrtle, of which we have numerous varieties. Lecythis äabucajo Aubl. Sapucaia Nut, Monkey-Pot Tree. Lecythidaceae. Brazil. Introduced from Jamaica by Mr. Robert Cameron, January, 1907. Height 21 feet, butt diameter 9 inches. A semi-deciduous, conical, spreading tree, with slender branches and rather small serrate leaves. Flowers, with the new growth, from May to July; several together on short racemes, pure white in color. The wooden capsules open by a lid when ripe and contain compressed triangular nuts similar to, but smaller than, the Brazil Nut (Bertholletia). Our specimen planted on moist, low land is perfectly healthy, but grew very slowly until five or six years old. Litchi chinensis Sonn.

(Nephelium litchi Camb.)

Leechee or Litchi N u t . Sa-

pindaceae. China. Introduced from Florida in 1911 by E. F. Atkins, Esq. A branching shrub 12 feet high and as much in diameter through the branches. The foliage is polished, light green in color, and evergreen. The reticulate, brown,

44

GREY'S REPORT

one-seeded nuts contain an edible white aril of excellent flavor. Grows best on moist good land, in the open. Lonchocarpus sericeus Kth. Frijolillo Prieto, Guamä de Soga. Leguminosae. Cuba to Brazil. Added to the Arboretum in 1905. Height 20 feet, trunk 10 inches in diameter. An irregular-shaped, low-spreading evergreen tree common along rocky streams, on various soils, and in sunny or partly shaded locations. The small purple flowers appear in profusion in early summer. The timber is durable and employed in wharf-building and general rural carpentry. The bast is used extensively for making rope, and the fiber is very strong and resistant to all kinds of weather. Lucuma mammosa A. D. C. (Achras zapota L.)

M a m e y Colorado, M a m m e e

Sapota, Marmalade Plum. Sapotaceae. Central America, sparingly introduced into Cuba. Grown extensively for its fruit, which is used for marmalade and in beverages. The wood is dark-mahogany colored and is frequently employed in cabinet work and in indoor carpentry. The tree grows rapidly on deep, moist land, in the open, but is quite drought-resistant. A specimen planted on shallow poor land in 1908 has attained a height of only 16 feet, with a trunk diameter of 8 inches, while others on better land are over 30 feet high. The small flowers are produced along the mature branches from March to May, and the large, rough, russet-colored fruit ripens from May to July. Lucuma nervosa A.D.C. Canistel, Egg-Fruit. Sapotaceae. Spanish Main, naturalized in Cuba. Collected and received from various sources, and in distinct varieties, approaching separate species. The fruit varies in size and shape from globose to ovate, and from If to 2\ inches in diameter. It is yellow throughout, with a thin skin and sweet, pasty contents surrounding 1 to 5 oblong, shiny, darkbrown seeds. The fruit is common in the market and usually eaten out of hand; but the tree is frequently planted around hog corrals, as the fruit supplies nutritious feed for pigs and fowls. Specimens planted in 1908 on rather dry land, in the open, vary in height from 10 to 22 feet and in trunk diameter from 5 to 10 inches. The tree is of upright spreading habit and affords good shade. The timber is employed in rural carpentry. Lucuma serpentaria Η. Β. K. The Sapote Culebra. Sapotaceae. Oblate or globular, pointed fruit, and obovate oblong, reticulate veined leaves. Is common on the Milpa Estate, on Cienfuegos Bay, in open woods. A tree 25 feet high. Lysidice rhodostegia Hance. Leguminosae. Southern China, Canton. Received from Dr. John C. Willis, Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, Ceylon, October, 1908. A small, spreading tree of open character, with slender branches, producing large terminal panicles of moderately large, brown and purple flowers and brightpink flower-bracts, in May. The flat brown seed pods are 6 to 8 inches long and contain 4 or 5 seeds which germinate freely. The original specimen is growing

46

GREY'S REPORT

Manihot glaziovii Muell. Arg. Clara Rubber Tree, Manizoba. Euphorbiaceae. Southern Brazil. Naturalized in Cuba. This species was among the first collections of plants imported from Florida and presented to the Garden by E. F. Atkins, Esq., in December, 1901. The original specimens are still in excellent health and are 25 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 8 to 10 inches. The tree is of upright growth with a spreading top, and is deciduous during the winter. It grows on all soils, including the dry, shallow uplands, and is very drought-resistant. I t flowers with the new spring growth and produces viable seeds in abundance, which grow spontaneously from self-sown seeds. Melicocca bijuga L. Jamoncillo, Spanish Lime. Sapindaceae. West Indies, Central America. A large spreading tree frequently reaching a height of 45 or 50 feet, and more or less deciduous prior to breaking into spring growth. Flowers monoecious, dioecious, or perfect in different trees. A staminate specimen planted in January, 1903, is now 30 feet high, over 30 feet through the branches, with a trunk diameter of 2 feet. A valuable shade tree for general planting. The timber is hard and flexible and is used in various branches of carpentry. The small, whitish flowers are produced in cylindrical panicles in March and April and have a strong vanilla odor. The edible fruit is globose, 1 to inches in diameter; the shell is brittle, green in color, and contains a sweet, watery, rather astringent pulp, surrounding a large oval seed, and is much esteemed by the natives. Michelia champaca L. Fruiting Magnolia. Magnoliaceae. Himalayas. Brought from Jamaica by Mr. Robert Cameron, January, 1907; courtesy of Dr. George L. Goodale. An ornamental small tree of rather slow growth, 12 feet high, with a 9-inch trunk diameter. Growing on shallow upland and quite drought-resistant. Specimens planted on moist, deep land 10 years later have attained an equal height. The flowers are the size of a small magnolia, are pale buff-yellow, and highly fragrant. They are produced freely during May. The seed pods are irregular in shape and contain several seeds which germinate freely, but volunteer plants from self-sown seeds are uncommon. Morinda citrifolia L. Indian Mulberry. Rubiaceae. Malay Archipelago to Australia. Imported from Florida and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., January, 1909. A large, spreading evergreen shrub, with coarse, angular branches, and shining elliptic foliage 8 to 12 inches long, producing fleshy, reticulate oval heads, 2 or 3 inches long, in the leaf axils, and small tubular white flowers. The roots contain a yellow dye. Original plant 18 feet high and as much in diameter through the branches, with a trunk diameter of one foot. This species grows well on shallow, dry uplands and also on the low moist soils in shade and full sun. Volunteer seedlings are common around the parent plants. Olea europaea Lour. European Olive. Oleaceae. Mediterranean Region. Imported from Florida and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., December, 1901.

HARVARD GARDENS IN CUBA

45

on rather impoverished hilly land and subject to some drought, but is perfectly healthy and is now over 20 feet in height, with a trunk diameter of one foot. This is one of our most beautiful ornamental flowering trees. Macadamia ternifolia F. Muell. Poppel Nut, Queensland Nut. Proteaceae. Australia. Introduced from Florida and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., March, 1909. A compact, evergreen tree of rather slow growth, with twiggy branches and stiff, dark-green foliage affording dense shade. Grows well on any fair land and stands drought well. Young plants require some shade. The wood is hard and durable. Original specimen 20 feet in height, trunk 9 inches in diameter. Cylindrical racemes of small, white, sweet-scented flowers are produced freely in March and April, and often at other seasons, and the globose, shiny brown nuts contain a white kernel of excellent flavor. The main crops ripen in June and also from October to December. Magnolia grandiflora L. Southern Magnolia. Magnoliaceae. North Carolina to Texas. Introduced from Florida and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., 1911. The largest specimen is 18 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 7 inches. The tree is evergreen, of open habit, with stiff, glossy leaves which are dark green above and russet-brown beneath. Large, pure-white, fragrant flowers are produced singly on the apex of the branches from April to June, and viable seeds are abundant during summer. This species was rather difficult to establish and the young plants grew very slowly, but the trees are now in excellent health and growing nicely. They are planted on moist, good soil in an open location. Malpighia glabra L. Cereza de Jamaica, West Indian Cherry. Malpighiaceae. Texas to Colombia, West Indies. Brought from Jamaica by Mr. Robert Cameron, January, 1907. A large, rounded bush of spreading habit, with arching twiggy branches and small ovate or oval leaves, 11 feet high. Fascicles of tiny rose-colored flowers appear in March and April, and the edible fruit, similar to a small cherry in size and red or yellowish in color, ripens in May and June. A shrub which grows in any fair soil, in sun and part shade, and is moderately drought-resistant. Mangifera indica L. Mango. Anacardiaceae. Northern India to Malaya, naturalized in Cuba. The mango tree is common everywhere in many types and varieties and is grown extensively for its fruit, which is common in every market from May to October. It is one of the favorite fruits and relished by everyone. The tree usually flowers from December to March and the earliest types ripen in May, others of the "Indio" type in mid-summer, and the Sandersha type from August to October. The collection embraces many hybrids and varieties. The tree is of rapid spreading growth and affords good shade. It is adapted for cultivation on nearly all soils and locations. The wood is mixed brown and gray in color, and in texture is light, fibrous, durable and elastic, and is used in special branches of carpentry. Specimens planted in 1903 are over 30 feet in height, with a trunk diameter of 14 inches.

HARVARD GARDENS IN CUBA

47

Three varieties of olive were originally planted on hilly shallow land, two of which still remain, the "Bianca" and "Manzanillo." The latter variety has formed a large bush 18 feet high, and produced a few fruit in 1912. Stock raised from cuttings of these varieties grew more rapidly on the low moist land, but suffered to a greater extent during the dry winter months. Our experiments with olives have never proved commercially successful. The bushes are free from disease and insects, but seldom give any fruit. Omphalea triandra L. False Kola Nut, Cobnut, Pop Nut. Euphorbiaceae. Jamaica, Guiana. Brought from Jamaica by Mr. Robert Cameron, January, 1907; courtesy of Dr. G. L. Goodale. The original specimen, growing on shallow, dry, rottenstone subsoil, is 20 feet in height and in perfect health. It flowers and fruits abundantly, but seldom produces volunteer seedlings. The tree is upright and irregular in growth; the main branches erect and the laterals irregularly arched or horizontal. The leaves are smooth, leathery, elliptic or oblong, tapering. Flowers in terminal, bracted panicles, dioecious; the staminate ones small, numerous, yellow-green, the pistillate flowers triangular, with seldom more than one or two in the panicle. Flowering season March to May. The nut produces a black stain. It is said to be edible, but the embryo is poisonbus. Oroxylon indicum Vent. Matchwood Tree. Bignoniaceae. Ceylon, China. Received from the Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., February, 1907; courtesy of Dr. David Fairchild. An erect, sparingly branched, deciduous tree, suitable for cultivation on welldrained uplands in shade, or in the open. The campanulate green, white, and purplish flowers are produced on upright scapes in August and September. The seed pods are 12 to 20 inches long and about 2 inches in diameter, flat, brown, and contain numerous white, winged, flat seeds, which ripen from February to April. Original specimen 22 feet high, with a trunk 10 inches in diameter. Pachira insignis Savigny.

(Carolinea princeps L. / . ) Carolina. Bombacaeae.

Venezuela, West Indies. Specimens of this conspicuous Bombax collected in our vicinity and planted in 1905, on rather poor land, are 18 to 20 feet high, with trunks 10 to 12 inches thick; but young plants set out 12 years later on good moist land are quite as large and flower profusely. This species, however, has never produced fertile seeds. The tree is deciduous, of open irregular habit, with smooth, green bark. The branches are usually produced in whorls of three or four. The foliage is palmately 5 to 7 divided, and usually falls in February or March, prior to the flowering season. The beautiful pink flowers are 5 or more inches long, with numerous long, brushlike filaments; commonly called shaving-brush tree. The flowers usually appear in March and April. Pandanus javanicus Hort.

(P. tectorius Soland.)

Pandanaceae. J a v a .

Pre-

sented by Professor Oakes Ames, North Easton, Massachusetts, in 1903 (with many other species of ornamental leaved and flowering plants). This plant has grown into an erect columnar specimen over 25 feet in diameter and 30 feet in height, and consists of numerous growths. It is growing

48

GREY'S REPORT

on shallow upland soil fully exposed to sun, and is in splendid condition. The plant has never flowered, but is apparently distinct from P. tectorius, native to Hainan. Pandanus utilis Bory. Screw pine. Pandanaceae. Madagascar. Seeds presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., in 1905. Several specimens were raised, both pollinate and pistillate plants, which are now well branched and 18 to 20 feet in height, and are planted in various locations, some on low, moist, deep land, others on the shallow hilly land, and they have all made excellent growth and flowered annually during the past five years. The branching catkins of the male plants are from 12 to 18 inches in length, and the whitish pollen of the small flowers is quite fragrant. The reticulate, globose fruits of the pistillate plant are 5 inches in diameter, suspended on long peduncles, and ripen about 30 per cent of fertile seeds which germinate freely. Pandanus veitGhii Doll. Pandanaceae. Borneo, Polynesia. Presented by Professor Oakes Ames, North Easton, Massachusetts, 1903. This is the largest growing species in the Gardens, with leaves 6 to 8 feet long and over 4 inches broad. The small specimen planted by the Garden stream has grown into a mound-like group over 25 feet high and covers a large area of ground. The white marginal band, typical on the leaves of this species, has disappeared, leaving the foliage uniformly green in color. Specimens growing on dry, hilly land are equally robust and healthy, but none of the plants have produced flowers. Parkia

roxburghii

G. Don.

(Inga timoriana

D. C.)

Leguminosae.

Luzon,

P. I. Seeds received from Dr. John C. Willis, Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, Ceylon, October, 1907, and from Dr. David Fairchild, Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., in 1908. The original specimen, growing on dry upland, is 32 feet in height and 18 inches through the trunk. The tree is thornless, with an erect trunk, open spreading branches, and large frond-like, bipinnate leaves, composed of numerous small leaflets, and retained more or less throughout the year. The flower pedicels are somewhat two-edged, pendulous, and 12 to 20 inches long, supporting a pyriform head of tiny, white, tubular flowers, very attractive to bees. The obovateoblong flat pods are 10 to 14 inches long, dark-brown in color, and contain several seeds each surrounded by a whitish, mealy pith. Our specimen flowered during January and February, 1926, for the first time; the seeds ripened in April and May. Parmentiera cerifera Seem. Candle Tree. Bignoniaceae. Central America and Panama. Young plants of this species were brought from Jamaica in January, 1907, by Mr. Robert Cameron, and are now 18 feet high, with a trunk 12 inches in diameter. They are growing on dry uplands, where they succeed very nicely. The tree is of upright growth, with close, twiggy branches. The greenish flowers are similar to those of the Crescentia, or calabash tree, and the cylindrical fruit, 8 to 15 inches long and about f of an inch in diameter, are waxy and cream color and have a pleasant odor. Both flowers and fruit are produced at various seasons.

HARVARD GARDENS IN CUBA

49

Peltophorum linnaei Benth. Braziletto Wood. Leguminosae. Jamaica. Brought from Jamaica by Mr. Robert Cameron, January 7, 1907; courtesy of Dr. George L. Goodale. Planted on calcareous upland soil, this specimen is not much over 12 feet high, with an 8-inch butt. Seedlings 7 years old on more fertile soil, growing in full exposure to sun, are equally large and healthy. The tree flowers freely in April and May and produces viable seed in the autumn. Persea gratissima Gaertn. Aguacate, Avocado, Alligator Pear. Lauraceae. Mexico to Peru and Brazil, naturalized in Cuba. The avocado is one of the most common among fruit trees and is grown extensively as a market fruit. The collection contains many hybrids and varieties, including the large, broadly ovate, yellow, and long, pear-shaped, purple-skinned types, all of which grow well and ripen fruit in abundance from June to November. Specimens set out in 1903 vary in height from 25 to 35 feet, with trunks about one foot in diameter. The yellow-skinned type is usually lower and more spreading in character than the pear-shaped varieties. Phyllanthus emblica L. Myrobolan. Euphorbiaceae. Tropical Asia. Imported from Florida and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., 1903. Specimen growing in good but dry soil, exposed to full sun, is 25 feet high. The tree is shrubby in habit and sends up large, erect branches from near the base of the trunk, with small, feathery, leaf-like branches which bear globose, green fruit near the base at various seasons. The fruit is about an inch in diameter, rather acid in flavor, and of no commercial value. Pimenta officinalis Berg. Allspice Tree, Pimento. Myrtaceae. Mexico, Central America, Cuba. Brought from Jamaica by Mr. Robert Cameron, January, 1907; courtesy of Dr. G. L. Goodale. A small evergreen tree, with oblong, stiff foliage 3 to 7 inches in length which sheds its outer bark annually. Old trees frequently reach a height of 30 feet. Our original tree is 18 feet high, branched from near the ground, is growing on a dry hillside in a partly shaded location, and is perfectly healthy. The inconspicuous, small, whitish flowers are produced on flat slender panicles in April and May and the tiny round berries ripen two or three months later. The unripe berries furnish the commercial allspice, and the aromatic leaves are used as a culinary condiment and also in the manufacture of scented cosmetics. Pistacia chinensis Bunge. Chinese Pistachio. Anacardiaceae. China. Received from the Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., 1912, through the courtesy of Dr. David Fairchild. One specimen, planted on low, moist, fertile land in an open locality, is now 20 feet high. A second specimen, planted on shallow upland, has grown less rapidly and is about 15 feet in height; but they are both perfectly healthy. The tree is evergreen, of rather irregular, open habit; the compound pinnate leaves, composed of 7 prominently veined oblong leaflets, are of a deep-green color. Growth was slow during the first three or four years, but has been much more rapid since the specimens have become well established. Pithecolobium dulce Benth. Guaymochil, Manila Tamarind. Leguminosae.

50

GREY'S REPORT

Mexico, Philippines. Received from Mr. David Haughes, Division of Forestry, Honolulu, Η. T., 1907. Specimens 30 feet high and 40 feet in diameter through the branches, with a trunk diameter of 18 inches. A large evergreen tree of spreading habit, with slender arching branches and short stipulate spines. The leaves are bipinnate, consisting of 4 unequal-sided, oblong leaflets, 1 to If inches long. The flowers are produced on pubescent spikes in small heads and are white and woolly in appearance. The cylindrical twisted pods are 6 to 8 inches long, the black seeds surrounded by a white or pink, edible aril, which tastes like rose petals. The tree flowers and ripens fruit in April and May. Pithecolobium

saman Benth.

(Samanea

saman Μ err.)

Algarrobo (Cuba),

Rain Tree, Zaman. Leguminosae. Central America southward to Brazil; naturalized in Cuba, where it is known as Algarrobo, and A. del pais. A large, spreading, unarmed tree of rapid growth, common everywhere and frequently planted for shade along avenues and in pastures, for which there is no other tree more suitable. The tree varies considerably in accordance with soil and location. A specimen planted on our red land, with rottenstone subsoil, in 1903, is 26 feet high, with a spread of branches 50 feet in diameter, and trunk 20 inches thick. Specimens planted on deep, black land with a disintegrated lime subsoil are nearly 50 feet high, with an expanse of large, arching branches 50 feet in diameter, and a trunk 40 inches through the butt. The terminal flower panicles produce numerous heads of bright-pink and white stamens in April and May, and the thick brown pods, 4 to 6 inches long, ripen in early winter. They drop from February to May and, as they are filled with a honey-like substance, furnish nutritious food for cattle and hogs. The heartwood is dark brown in color, but is not durable and is seldom used in carpentry. Poinciana

regia Boj.

(Delonix regia Raf.)

Flamboyant, Royal Poinciana.

Leguminosae. Madagascar, naturalized in Cuba. Spontaneous everywhere in the vicinity of the parent trees. An open, deciduous tree with spreading, arched branches and large compound bipinnate frond-like leaves. The flowers appear usually in May, with the new growth in great profusion, and are 4 to 5 inches in diameter. The petals are brilliant scarlet, excepting the upper one, which is white and yellow flecked with red on the inner surface. A Flamboyant Tree when in full blossom is vivid and conspicuous. The seed pods are brown, flat, 12 to 20 inches long, and about 2 inches in width; they ripen in the autumn but do not open until early spring. The wood is practically worthless for carpentry. A specimen planted in 1903 is 28 feet high, with an expanse of 35 feet through the branches, and a trunk diameter of 22 inches. Ravenala madagascariensis Gmel. Travelers' Tree. Musaceae. Madagascar. Imported from Florida and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., 1905. The original specimen has formed a group of 10 trunks, 20 to 25 feet high, with numerous younger shoots of various sizes issuant from the base. The leaves are two-ranked, banana-like, on long petioles, the clasping bases of which contain a pint or more of clear, tasteless, pure water, quite fit for drinking. The flower scapes are one-sided and produce numerous white flowers from a sheath-

HARVARD GARDENS IN CUBA

51

ing bract. The seeds are oblong and blackish, covered by a blue membrane, and are numerous and fertile. One of the most conspicuous trees in the Arboretum. Grows best in open or partly shaded location, in deep, moist soil. Salix babylonica L. Desmayo, Sauce Lloron, Weeping Willow. Salicaceae. China. Specimen collected at Colonia Caledonia in 1906, and planted in moist deep soil, is now 17 feet high, 15 feet through the branches, with a trunk diameter of 8 inches. Cuttings of a second specimen from the Napoleon tree, Island of St. Helena, received through courtesy of Dr. David Fairchild, Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., 1909, was broken down during the Limones cyclone, June 3, 1911, but has since grown into a nice tree 15 feet in height. The species grows well here, the long, flexible, pendulous branches reaching to the ground. It is sometimes deciduous during the very dry winter seasons, but is free from diseases and insects. The most serious injury is caused by the large, red-headed woodpecker, or sap-sucker, which, if permitted, punctures the bark full of holes, causing some damage occasionally. None of our trees have flowered. Salix humboldtiana Willd. Fastigiate Willow. Salicaceae. Chili, Peru. Received from the Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., 1910. A fine specimen of columnar growth, with upright branches, 45 feet in height, with a trunk diameter of 18 inches, growing on low, moist land, on the pond margin, in a sunny location. It is a conspicuous evergreen species with lanceolate leaves and slender branches, grows readily from cuttings, and can be grown quite successfully in sun or shade and on moderately dry upland. There are several specimens in the collection, but up to date none have flowered. Sapindus mukrossii Gaertn. The Chinese Soap Tree. Sapindaceae. China. Imported from Florida and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., 1910. This specimen was unfortunately planted on impoverished upland soil, and, although perfectly healthy, it has grown very slowly. The tree is evergreen, of spreading habit, and is about 15 feet in height, with a trunk diameter of 8 inches. The leaves are odd-pinnate, with undulate, lanceolate thin leaflets. The flowers are inconspicuous, numerous on terminal panicles 5 or 6 inches long, and the fruit is globose, f of an inch in diameter, dull yellowish-brown, and ripens during the summer. Sapindus saponaria L. Common Soap Berry. Sapindaceae. Florida, West Indies, South America. Common in open forests everywhere on fair upland soil; a fine, spreading evergreen tree, giving excellent shade, and employed in various branches of carpentry. The inconspicuous flowers are produced in short panicles from December to February, and the reddish-brown fruits, which ripen in spring, contain saponin, used in washing fabrics. They are f of an inch in diameter, produced in quantity and are high in fertility. Sapindus trifoliatus L. Sapindaceae. Ceylon. Received from the Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., through courtesy of Dr. David Fairchild, in 1915. A small-sized spreading or round-headed tree, 14 feet high, with a trunk

52

GREY'S REPORT

diameter of 7 inches. The leaves are rather large, pinnate, with three pairs of lanceolate, light-green leaflets. Flowers small, yellowish-green, and borne on short, terminal panicles. Fruit numerous, about § inch in diameter and dull yellowishbrown in color. They ripen in April. Sapium laurifolium Griseb. Pifii-Pini de Arroza, Goma. Euphorbiaceae. Cuba, Jamaica, Venezuela. A tree of rather spreading character, with oblong, leathery, shining leaves, not unlike those of Ficus elastica in general appearance, but the leaf petiole is biglandular, and the foliage deciduous about a month before the new growth and flower racemes appear in March and April. The tree contains a poisonous milky latex, used for catching birds, said to yield rubber of fair quality. A specimen added to the Arboretum in 1903 has attained a height of 30 feet, and trunk diameter of 14 inches. The tree grows rapidly on the moist, deep lands, but also grows very well on the shallow uplands and is quite drought-resistant. Saraca indica L. Indian Sarac. Leguminosae. India, Malaya. Brought from Jamaica by Mr. Robert Cameron, January, 1907. A bush, or small tree of slow growth, 12 feet in height, with a trunk diameter of 9 inches. Leaves composed of 4 or 5 pairs of leathery, oblong-lanceolate leaflets, 3 to 10 inches in length. The flowers are produced on short branching panicles among the foliage, and are pale-orange and red in color. The seed pods are 4 to 7 inches in length and several-seeded. Volunteer plants are produced in abundance around the parent from self-sown seeds. Grows best on good land with some shade. Schinopsis

lorentzii.

(Quebrachia lorentzii.)

Quebracho Colorado.

Anacar-

diaceae. Semi-desert territory of Chaco, Argentina, Paraguay. Received from the Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C., December, 1907. A small irregular shrubby tree, with twiggy branches and small ligulate or spatulate dull-green leaves. Of very slow growth. The original specimen has attained a height of 15 feet with a trunk diameter of one foot, and has flowered freely but has never produced seeds. Our specimens are growing on rather shallow, dry soil, in an open location, and are perfectly healthy. The wood is like iron (red in heartwood), hard, durable, and practically decay-proof, and is used for railroad ties, bridges, and other similar building. The tree is said to produce 25 per cent of tannic acid. Simaruba amara Aubl.

(S. officinalis, D. C.)

Bitter Tan, Bitterwood, Sim-

aruba Bark. Simarubaceae. West Indies, Tropical America. Brought from Jamaica by Mr. Robert Cameron, January 7, 1907. An open, spreading tree seldom over 25 feet high, of slow growth, with compound pinnate leaves. Leaflets distant, more or less alternate, in 5 to 7 pairs, oblong-obovate, pale-green beneath. Flowers small, green, produced in March and April in terminal panicles 8 to 12 inches long. Fruit dry, globose or ovoid, brownish-green, and over \ inch in diameter. Our specimen growing on rather dry upland, in an exposed location, is 15 feet high with a trunk diameter of 8 inches. Bark and wood used in medicines and tonics.

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Simaruba glauca Kth. Palo Blanco. Simarubiaceae. Cuba, Florida, Jamaica. Rather more robust than the preceding species, but similar in character and open growth. Our specimen, planted in an open location on shallow land, has attained a height of 16 feet, with a trunk diameter of 8 inches. Foliage similar to S. amara, but glaucous beneath. Fruit dark purple-brown and ovoid. Tree rather common in open woods on all soils, and quite drought-resistant. Spathodea campanulata Beauv. Scarlet Bell, Santo Domingo Mahogany. Bignoniaceae. Tropical Africa. Brought from Jamaica by Mr. Robert Cameron, January, 1907; courtesy of Dr. George L. Goodale. Also received from Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, through courtesy of Dr. David Fairchild, 1908. The oldest specimen is over 20 feet in height, with a trunk diameter of one foot. It is a beautiful tree of upright growth, suitable for ornamental landscape work, and grows well on our various soils, in both open and shaded situations. The short racemes or panicles are terminal; the flowers irregularly bell-shaped, 4 or 5 inches long, orange-scarlet and yellow in color, and open in succession. The seed pods are lance-oblong, 6 to 8 inches long, and open on one side. The seeds are flat, with a transparent wing. Flowers from October to January, seeds ripen usually in April. Spontaneous seedlings are not uncommon. S. nilotica, from Tiganda and the upper Nile region, is a more rapid, robust grower very similar in appearance, with larger flowers, and produces seed in greater abundance. Spondias lutea L. (S. mombin Jacq.) Ciruela Loca, Jobo, Hog Plum. Anacardiaceae. Cuba, Panama to Venezuela. A tall, open deciduous tree, common in open woods and fields, on stony hills and rich bottom lands. The leaves are large, odd-pinnate, composed of 7 to 15 ovate-lanceolate leaflets. The small cream-white flowers are fragrant and produced in large panicles, often a foot or more long, from March to May. The oval yellow fruit is over an inch long, with an aromatic, sweetish pulp and oval seed. A specimen planted in 1903 has attained a height of 35 feet, with a trunk diameter of one foot. The wood is practically worthless for carpentry, but sections of the trunk and branches are used extensively for fence posts; inserted in the ground, they take root quickly and grow readily. Planted as live fence posts around corrals, they require no renewing as do ordinary posts, and the edible fruit supplies wholesome hog food. Spondias purpureus L. Ciruela del Pais, Spanish Plum. Anacardiaceae. Tropical America. A deciduous, spreading tree, common on all lands in open locations. Specimens planted in 1904 are 18 feet high, with a branch spread of over 20 feet and trunk 10 to 12 inches in diameter. The tree seldom exceeds 25 feet in height. There are many varieties. Leaves 5 to 10 inches long, composed of 15 to 21 oblong-elliptical leaflets. Flowers small on very short racemes, purplish in color and produced along the ripe wood. Fruit 1 to inches long, oval, containing a sweet, watery pulp and oval seed; the thin skin varies in color from pale-yellow striped with green to red and purple. Varieties ripen at different seasons, from April to October. The wood is of little value, but the large branches are used for live post fencing as in the preceding species.

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Sterculia carthagenensis Cav. (S. apetala Karst.) Anacahuita, Camaruca. Sterculiaceae. Mexico, Panama to Brazil, naturalized in some localities. Brought from Jamaica by Mr. Robert Cameron, January 7, 1907; courtesy of Dr. G. L. Goodale. A large, spreading evergreen tree with heavy, more or less verticilate branches and gray bark. The leaves are cordate-rounded and deeply 5-lobed, rather dullgreen, soft-pubescent on the under side. The panicles are short, many flowered. The flowers, f of an inch in diameter, are 5-cleft, pale greenish-yellow, dotted with purple on the inner surface. Fruit inches long, containing 3 or 4 blackish oval seeds. The inside of the follicle clothed with short, stinging hairs. Original specimen 30 feet high, over 40 feet through the branches, with a trunk diameter of 26 inches. An excellent shade tree of rapid growth. A pectoral, prepared from the leaves, is in common use among the country people. Sterculia foetida L. Sterculiaceae. East Indies, Australia, Tropical Africa. Presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., 1904. Height 38 feet, trunk diameter 22 inches. An erect, tall, deciduous species, with verticilate branches. The digitate leaves, on long petioles, are collected near the ends of the branches. The reddish flowers, which appear with the new growth, from January to April, have a very disagreeable odor. The fruit is about 3 inches in length, and contains two or three black seeds. The inside of the woody follicle is dull red. The tree is distinct and handsome when in leaf. Sterculia urens Willd. Stinging Stercule. Sterculiaceae. Brazil (?), India. Seeds received through courtesy of Mr. David Haughes, Division of Forestry, Honolulu, Η. T., August, 1907. Height 25 feet, trunk diameter one foot. Growing on shallow uplands in part shade. A tall, erect, more or less deciduous tree, with verticilate branches. The leaves are 10 or 12 inches broad, 5-lobed and cordate at the base. Flowers paleyellow in dense panicles. The fruit is 2 or more inches long, containing several oval blackish seeds. The follicles clothed on the inside with stinging hairs. The timber is soft and of little value. Swietenia mahogani Jacq. Caoba, Mahogany. Meliaceae. Bahamas, West Indies, Tropical America. Native to Cuba, and still moderately common along the rocky coast, on the alluvial land along the streams, and back into the foot-hills, in open woods or in fully exposed situations. Our oldest specimen, planted in 1902 on poor land, has attained a height of 20 feet and butt diameter of 14 inches, and measures about 20 feet through the branches. The tree supplies one of the best woods extant for cabinet work, furniture, and outdoor carpentry. The older trees are fast disappearing and, as government plantings have not been attempted, to keep up the supply, the species may become scarce under the advance of agriculture. The tree is of slow growth on our stony soils, but specimens planted eighteen years ago are 22 feet in height. It is an excellent shade tree with an oval or round top, and should be more generally planted along avenues and public roads. The tiny greenish flowers are produced on short racemes in May and June, and the woody, brownish ovate fruit, the size of a large egg, ripens from March to May.

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Syncarpia laurifolia Tenore. Turpentine Tree. Myrtaceae. Eastern Australia. Received from the Bureau of Plant Industry through courtesy of Dr. David Fairchild. A spreading, sparsely branched, evergreen tree, with ovate to elliptic leaves, 3 or 4 inches in length. It is drought-resistant and suitable for planting on our dry upland soils. Our best specimen is 22 feet in height, with a trunk diameter of one foot. It is growing on fair, rather shallow land, fully exposed. The tree has never flowered, but is healthy. The timber is strong and flexible. Tabebuia serratifolia Don. Bignoniaceae. Tropical America. Brought from Jamaica in January, 1906, by Mr. Robert Cameron. A deciduous, hard-wooded small tree, 20 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 11 inches. Growing on dry upland soil among trees. The flowers are tubular or bell-shaped, about 2 | inches in diameter, bright canary-yellow, and produced in great abundance from March to April. The tree has never borne seed, but root cuttings are common. Tamarindus indicus L. Tamarind. Leguminosae. East Indies, naturalized in Cuba. The native type is inferior to the best Indian varieties, but has been in cultivation in the Arboretum since 1903. Specimens of a fine, large-fruited variety were received from the Bureau of Plant Industry through courtesy of Dr. David Fairchild in 1906, and the largest specimen, growing on good heavy soil in a rather dry, partly shaded location, has attained a height of 30 feet and an equal dimension through the branches, with a trunk diameter of feet. The tree grows freely on moist soils and in fully exposed locations and forms a beautiful specimen. The leaves are small, pinnately compound, composed of 8 to 12 pairs of oblong dark-green leaflets. The flowers on short racemes are over an inch in diameter, yellow marked with red, and produced in abundance from March to May; and the brownish-shelled legumes containing several brown seeds are filled with an acid pulp of medicinal value and much used in refrescos in Cuba. They ripen from December to March. An excellent evergreen tree for landscape or avenue planting. Tiaxodium distichum Rich. Common Bald Cypress. Pinaceae. Delaware to Texas. Hardy on the Governor Ames Estate, North Easton, Massachusetts. Introduced from Florida by E. F. Atkins, Esq., March, 1909. A deciduous tree, with an erect trunk and upright or arching branches, growing on deep moist land along the Garden stream; height 25 feet, trunk 18 inches in diameter. The customary "knees" present. Flowers produced in March and April; the «taminate ones in terminal, racemose, pendent panicles. Pistillate flowers, one or two on the apex of the mature branches. The cypress grows and flowers normally here, but has not produced viable seed. Terminalia catappa L. Almendra de la India, Tropical Almond. Combretaceae. East Indies, Madagascar, Malaya, naturalized in Cuba. Volunteers appear in abundance from self-sown seed. Seedlings planted on good land, in the open, in 1902, are 40 feet in height and 2 feet through the trunk. An erect, tall tree, with verticulate, stout, spreading

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branches, and lance-obovate, shiny leaves, 6 to 12 inches long, collected near the apex. Deciduous twice a year, prior to new growth, for a short time only. Flowers in short terminal racemes from March to May, inconspicuous, greenish, dioecious. Fruit elliptical to lance ovate, about 2 inches long, a favorite food of bats. Nut pithy, containing a small edible kernel, similar to the almond; ripens from February to May. The tree is frequently planted for its quick growth and excellent shade. Thespesia populnea Corr. Majagua de Florida, Poplar-Bast, Seaside Mahoe. Malvaceae. West Indies along the seacoast, East Indies, Coast of Australia, Senegambia. Collected along the rocky seashore, where it is quite common, in 1903. Largest specimen 20 feet high, trunk diameter one foot. A spreading, evergreen small tree with large cordate leaves 3 to 5 inches in length. Flowers large, axillary, 3 to 4 inches in diameter, yellow suffused with reddish-purple. Fruit oblate-globose, about inches in diameter, many-seeded. Spontaneous seedlings frequent around the parent tree. A good subject for all classes of soil and locations. Wood used in cabinet work and is similar to rosewood in color. The bast is used for cordage and is very strong and durable. Thuja orientalis L. Oriental Arbor-Vitae. Pinaceae. Imported from Florida and presented by E. F. Atkins, Esq., 1904. The original specimen 25 feet high, trunk diameter one foot. A pyramidal, open tree, branched to the ground with ascending branches and frondose, drooping branchlets. This species has never flowered here, but grows very well, especially on the low, moist lands. Trachylobium verrucosum Oliver. Copal, Copalier. Leguminosae. Madagascar, S. E. Africa. Seeds from Royal Botanic Garden, Peradeniya, Ceylon, October, 1908; courtesy of Dr. John C. Willis. A slender evergreen tree, irregular in habit, with coriaceous leaves consisting of a pair of shiny, unequal-sided, oblong or elliptic leaflets, 2 | to 4 inches long. Flowers white, 2 | inches across, on short terminal panicles, in May and June. Seed pods indehiscent, irregular-oblong, warty, brown-purple, one- to four-seeded; the pods exude a white-transparent viscous gum. The seeds germinate freely. The original specimen is 22 feet high, but is growing on poor, dry soil. Younger plants on moist lowland, exposed to sun, are much more robust in growth. THchilia spondioides Jacq. Cabo de Hacha, Guaban, Jubaban. Meliaceae. Cuba, Tropical America. A small, deciduous tree of rather open habit, common along banks of streams, on stoney uplands, and in open woods. There are several specimens in the Arboretum; the oldest, planted in 1909, is 23 feet in height, with a trunk diameter of 10 inches. The leaves are 5 to 10 inches long, pinnately compound, composed of 11 to 23 ovate-oblong leaflets. The flowers are small, creamy-white, and sweetscented, and are produced on rather large panicles from March to May. The brownish fruit is globose, about \ inch in diameter, with a bright-red arillus. The wood is hard and flexible and is used in axe-handles and similar work.

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F R U I T COLLECTION THE cultivation of fruit was taken under special consideration when the Garden was first established, and as a result the collection at present embraces a majority of the best-known tropical species and varieties. Some of the species enumerated in the adjoining list are of importance chiefly for their oils, pigments, or gums. Others are useful solely as a stock on which to bud or graft more delicate varieties; but the greater number are valuable for jellies and conserves, or as table or dessert fruit. Collectively, they represent a very good field for scientific study. It has, unfortunately, been impossible to bring the entire fruit collection into one area, chiefly owing to lack of proper soil and special locations demanded by various species, and also to the limitation of the section devoted to fruit culture. FRUIT COLLECTION Achras sapote Aegle marmelos Amygdalus persica Anacardium occMentale Ananas sativus vars Annona cherimolia diversifolia glabra muricata palustris reticulata squamosa Antidesma bunius nitidum platyphyllum Artocarpus incisa integra lakoocha Averrhoa carambola Blighia sapida Bromelia pinguin Brosimurn alicastrum Carica papaya prosopora Carissa arduina carandas grandiflora Casimiroa edulis tetrameria Cecropia peltata Celtis trinervia Chaenomeles Sp. Chrysobalanus icaco Chrysophyllum cainito monopyrenum Cicca disticha Citrange coleman morton •rustic savage

Chicle, Naseberry, Sapote Beal Fruit, Bengal Quince Chinese Peach Cashew, Maranon Pineapple Cherimoya Uamo, Papauce Alligator Apple Soursop, Guanabana Baga, Palo bobo, Corkwood Custard Apple, Bullock's Heart Anon, Sweetsop, Sugar Apple Nigger's Cord, Bignay Chinese Laurel Malay Currant Bread Fruit, Arbol de Pan Jack Fruit, Jaca Kanna-Gonna Carambola Plum Akee Tree, Seso Vegetal Pifia de Raton Bread Nut Papaya, Fruta Bomba Lechosa Martizgula Karanda Natal Plum White Sapote Matasano Flute Wood, Yagruma hembra Hackberry, Ramon de la Costa Japan Quince Coco Plum, Icaco, Hicaco Caimito, Star Apple Caimitillo Otaheite Gooseberry C. aurantium χ C. trifoliata do. do. do.

W. Indies Indo-Malay India, S. China Trop. America Trop. America Andes of Peru Mexico Brazil W. Indies, Trop. America Cuba Jamaica, Trop. America Cuba, Trop. America Malaya Philippines Hawaii Ceylon to China Ceylon Ceylon Malaya Trop. Africa W. Indies Jamaica Trop. America Cuba South Africa India S. Africa, Natal Central America Honduras Caribbean Isla. Cuba China Cuba, Florida, Trop. Amer. W. Indies, S. Amer. West Indies Tahiti Hybrid do. do. do.

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Citrus aurantium {C.sinensis Osb.) Orange decumana Grape Fruit, Pomelo, Shaddock hystrix Papida Lemon limonum Lemon acida Lime medica Citron mitis Calamondin nobilis Mandarine, Tangerine taitensis Otaheite Orange rangpurense Rangpur Lime torosa Thorny Citrus Clausena lansium Wampi Fruit Coccoloba uvifera Overo, Sea Grape, Uva Caleta Cydonia oblonga Membrillo, Spanish Quince Dillenia indica Calyx-Magnolia Diospyros discolor Mabola Fruit kaki Japanese Persimmon tamopan Chinese Date Plum Chinese Date Plum tamopan tane nashi Chinese Date Plum tamopan triumph Date Plum lotus American Ebony, Persimmon virginiana Dipholii salicifolia Jocuma Bianca Dovyalis (Aberia) caffra Kaffir Plum, Kei Apple (Aberia) gardneri Kitambilla, Ceylon Gooseberry Elaeagnus philippinensis Lingaro pungens simoni Silver Thorn pungens reflexa Climbing Oleaster Eremocitrus australiasica Finger Lime Eriobotrya (Photinia) japonica Japan Plum, Loquat Eugenia dombeyi Grumachama (Syzygiwn) jambolana Jambolan Plum jambos Rose Apple malaccensis Large Fruited Rose Apple (Syzygium) operculata Rai-Jaman uniflora Pitanga, Surinam Cherry Euphoria (Nephelium) longana Lang-Yen, Logan Berry Feijoa sellomana Paraguay or Pineapple Guava Ficus carica Common Fig glomerata Cluster Fig species Tibig Fig Flacourtia indica (ramontchi) Governor's Plum, Bakota Plum Fortunella japonica Meiwa Kumquat margarita Oval Kumquat Garcinia cochinchinensis Chinese Gum Tree livingstonei Pembe Fruit mangostana Mangosteen morella Gamboge Resin Tree spicata Fikuji Gum Tree sp. Maang Tuk, Shaan Chuck Genipa americana Genip. Marmalade Box caruto Jagua, Jaguita Olycosmis pentaphylla Limoncita, Orange Berry Harpephyllum caffrum Kaffir Cherry, Ciruela de los Cafras Litchi (Nephelium) chinensis Leechee, Lychee Lucuma mammosa Mamey Colorada nervosa Canistel, Egg-Fruit, Ti-es nervosa angustifolia Narrow Leaved Canistel serpentaria Sapote Culebra serpentaria valenzuelana Sapote Siguapa

S. E. Asia Malaya, Polynes. Isis. Indo-Malaya China Philippines, Cuba India Philippines Cochin China India India India S. China W. Indies Spain Tropical Asia Philippines China, Japan China, Japan China, Japan China, Japan W. Asia to China Connecticut to Texas Cuba S. Africa Ceylon Philippines China, Japan China, Japan Australia China, Japan Brazil Burma, E. Indies E. Indies, Malaya Polynesia Himalayas Brazil India S. Brazil, Paraguay Asia Minor Burma, India Philippines India Japan Japan Cochin China E. Africa Ceylon, Malaya Trop. Asia Rin Kin Isis., Japan S. Asia Haiti, N. Granada Cuba Malaya, Indo-China S. Africa China Cuba, Panama to Venezuela Tropical America Cuba Cuba Cuba

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CUBA

Malpighia glabra Mammea americana Mangifera indica Melicocca bijuga

Barbados Cherry Mamey de Santo Domingo Mango, many varieties Mamoncillo, Spanish Lime

Morus alba Morettiana Monstern deliciosa Murroea exotica Musa cavendishii paradisiaca sapientum Myrciaria cauliflora Olea europaea Osteomeles schwerinae Oxandra launfolia Passiflora edulis Pereskia aculeata bleo Persea gratissima Phoenix dactylifera Pithecolobium dulce Pleiogynium solandri Prunus bokhariensis caroliniana sp. Psidium cattleianum cattleianum var. lucidum guajava polycarpum Puniea granatum granatum nana Pyrus communis Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Severinia buxifolia Spondias lutea purpurea Strychnos gilletii spinosa Tamarindus indica Triphasia trifoliata Uvaria rufa Vangueria edulis Vitis caribaea rotundifolia

Morett's Mulberry Ceriman Jasmine Orange, Muralla Dwarf Banana Plantain, Platano Banana Jaboticaba Common Olive Stone Apple Yaya comun Granadilla Barbados Gooseberry Agujas y Alfileres, Flor de Novio Aguacate, Avocado Date Black Bead, Guaymuchil Top Fruit Aloobhara Plum Cherry Laurel Yunnan Plum Strawberry Guava

Texas to S. America W. Indies to N. S. America N. India to Malaya W. Indies, Centr. & S. America China Mexico, Centr. America India S. China India India Rio de Janeiro Medit. Region Junnan China Cuba Brazil Trop. America Brazil Trop. America N. Africa Mexico, Philippines Queensland, Austr. Saranpur, India S. Carolina to Texas China Brazil

Yellow Strawberry Guava Guava, Guayava Broad Leaved Guava Pomegranate, Granada Dwarf Pomegranate Pear Downy-Myrtle Box Berry Hog Plum, Jobo Ciruela, Spanish Plum Congo Orange S. African Orange Tamarind, Tamarindo Limoncito, Oil Citrus Calabao, Susong Vavangue Parra Cimarrona Muscadine Grape

Brazil Trop. America S. America Medit. Region W. Indies S. E. Europe, S. W. Asia Japan to Ceylon Formosa, Japan Cuba, Trop. America Trop. America Belgian Congo S. Africa S. Asia, Ν. E. Africa Malaya Philippines Madagascar Cuba S. United States

AGUACATES OR AVOCADOS THE aguacate is well represented by a number of excellent varieties, chiefly hybrids from South American and West Indian types, and while no effort has been made to apply special names or numbers to the different individual varieties, they are all meritorious, and in size, flavor, and season of ripening compare very favorably with the best marketable types. Their season of ripening is from midMay to late October. The tree succeeds well on various classes of land and is more or less droughtresistant; but to ensure success in growth and fruit production, deep, fertile,

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well-drained land is preferable. The flowers are usually produced early and prior to the rainy season, and when trees are planted on shallow uplands, they frequently shed their flowers, or many of the young fruit, during dry, backward seasons. Two distinct types of aguacate are commonly grown for the Cuban market. The tree of one form is tall, with spreading branches and medium-sized, dark-green foliage, the fruit slender, pear-shaped, 5 to 10 inches long and 3 or 4 in diameter, with a dark, reddish-brown skin and thick yellow flesh, with a small seed cavity in which the seed is tightly enclosed. The tree of the other type is of open, spreading habit, frequently with a branching trunk and with larger and paler foliage. The fruit is broadly pear-shaped or round, with slightly tapering base, and 3 to 5 inches in diameter. The skin is green, sometimes suffused with red-brown, the flesh pale-yellow, and the seed cavity large, containing a large, loose seed. The flavor of the fruit of this latter type is also frequently somewhat flat or insipid. Both types intercross freely, and intermediate forms are very common.

CITRUS FRUIT is a very fair collection of oranges and other varieties of citrus under cultivation at the Botanical Gardens, which, as a whole, have made very fair progress and are in excellent, healthy condition. Citrus culture was one of the very early subjects taken up for special research and general investigation. The genus without doubt includes among its numerous species some of the most important economic and wholesome fruits grown in the tropics, and there has been a decided increase in the cultivation of this valuable class of fruit during recent years. The citrus industry in Cuba was of primitive character when the Harvard Station was first established, and the oranges seen in the markets were evidently chance seedlings of citrus aurantium (Naranja de china, N. dulce) and the sour orange, C. vulgaris (Naranja agria 6 N. cajel), while the grapefruit, citrus decumana (la Toronja), was frequently of an inferior grade. The "China" orange was a fair, marketable type and usually of good sweet flavor, but variable in size and color of skin; the " Agria" varied from very sour to sweet, the tissue enveloping the segments was bitter, and it was chiefly used as a condiment similar to the native lime. It has been stated by some authorities that the orange and grapefruit raised from seed in Cuba breed true to the seed parent, which is fallacious. Seedling progeny raised from special, thornless varieties are generally thorny, and the fruit, with few exceptions, inferior to the seed parent. This is also true of the Sampson tangelo, Genoa lemon, tangerine, and other types, which have been brought to a high state of perfection through special selection. The calamondin, citron, Otaheite orange, rangpur, shaddock, and other more or less natural species usually breed true to the seed parent and not infrequently produce superior varieties. The species of citrus employed as stock on which to bud or work choice varieties is of the greatest importance and consideration, as it generally has a remarkable THERE

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influence on the health and future growth of the tree. Various soils and situations may also demand different species for use as stocks. Where the permanent planting location is unknown at the time of graftage, however, a stock commendable for various or general soils should be selected. Formerly rough lemon, with its horizontal or surface-rooting system, was employed for the shallow, hilly lands; sour orange, on account of its downward deep-rooting propensity, was used for planting on the deep lowland and alluvial, sandy soils, and C. trifoliata, being of a hardier nature and adaptable to various soils, was used for general plantings in the cooler sections. Under our particular conditions, however, these stocks were not very satisfactory. The surface roots of the rough lemon suffered during the dry winter weather when the crop was maturing. The sour orange was subject to root rot on much of our non-humus, heavy, clayey land, while trees budded on trifoliate stock were usually of slow growth and stunted in appearance. NAMED VARIETIES OF CITRUS FRUIT AT THE HARVARD GARDENS Citranges Coleman Morton Rustic Savage Grape Grapefruit Harvard 1 Harvard 2 Ellen Foster Marsh Seedless Philippine Pernambuco Shaddock Tresca Walters Grapefruit X Tangerine Sampson Tangelo Harvard 1 Mandarin Type Dancy Tangerine King Otaheite. Satsuma Small Fruited

Tangerine X Orange Harvard 1 Harvard 2 Orange X Tangerine Harvard 1 Harvard 2 Harvard 3 Harvard 4 Harvard 5 Oneco Orange Cajel Centennial China Early Oblong Foster Gold Nugget Hart's Late, Tardiff Harvard 1 Harvard 2 Harvard 3 Sport Homosassa Jaffa Lui Gim Gong Majorca Navel Harvard 1 Navel Star Calyx

Navel Surprise Parson Brown Pineapple Ruby Valencia Citron Corsican Medica, True Citron Kumquat Neiwa or Round Nagami or Oblong Kumquat X Lime Limequat Limes and Lemons Calamondin Genoa Genoa, Harvard 1 Lime, Native Dominican Spineless Papida Lemon Sour Rangpur Tahite Australian Finger Lime Lime X Lemon Harvard 1 Harvard 2

The native lime affords a fair stock for budding, but has a tendency to produce dwarf trees which are useful only on the "coco" land, or where it is desirable to grow many varieties on a limited area. Sap action is restricted by the slow growth of the stock, which does not expand in proportion to the scion or top growth. Canker occasionally forms at the point of junction, but the trees are seldom attacked by disease. Tangelo has been tested as a stock, and trees budded thereon attain normal

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size and are quite fruitful. It is rather subject to gummosis, which is curable, however, if taken in time, by removing the diseased parts with a sharp knife and painting with almost any fungicide. Seedling Tangerine has given excellent results and supplies one of the best stocks for general graftage, especially oranges and lemons. It is resistant to gummosis and other ailments, stands a fair amount of drought, and grows well on our various soils. The trees attain normal size and are prolific, usually fruiting in four years. Seedling decumana, the grapefruit and shaddock, have been employed here for graftage with great success for many years. The stock grows quickly, has an excellent root system, and all classes of citrus worked on it make rapid, robust growth and produce fruit sooner than on any other stock. King oranges have fruited twenty-two months after budding, and grapefruit and other citrus varieties frequently produce fruit in three years. It grows well on any of our soils, is quite drought-resistant, and, when occasionally attacked by gummosis, it is of such rapid growth that with little attention no serious damage follows. Several other genera of the Rutaceae family have been tested out as budding stocks for citrus, with no very satisfactory results; and, up to the present time, Citrus nobilis and C. decumana have offered the best material for this work. MANGOES THE mango, native to India, grows spontaneously from self-sown seed and is naturalized everywhere. It adapts itself to all soils and situations, is droughtresistant but will grow well under moderately wet conditions, and is not subject to insects or diseases. The mango is a very important and highly prized tropical fruit and a special favorite among the native people, either for eating direct out of hand, cooking in various ways, or for jelly or preserves. The fruiting season extends from the last of May to October, but the main crop usually ripens in June and July. The varieties are innumerable, but the best native types are Indio, a large round fruit with a small oval seed, little fibre and rich-flavored juice, and the Ese (S), an oblong fruit, slightly S-shaped, from four to six inches in length, with a slender flat seed containing little fibre and palatable sweet juice, with very little aromatic flavor. The trees are constant bearers and moderately prolific. The naturalized, wild trees are rather more prolific, the panicles frequently bearing 8 to 15 fruits. The fruit is seldom over three or four inches long, irregularly ovate, flattened or round, with a comparatively large seed, fibrous, and a decidedly turpentine flavor; but it is relished by the natives. Many hundreds of intercrossed seedlings have been raised to the fruiting stage from time to time, and the following six crosses selected from among them are distinct in character and show merit over the types in cultivation here. Harvard 1. Manzana 9 X Yellow Manga. Tree robust and rather spreading in character. Fruit round, with an abrupt-pointed apex, 1 to pounds in weight. Skin yellow, heavily flushed with bright red, and with a white bloom. Seed

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small, oval, flat, very little fibre; flesh orange-yellow, with a rich sweet flavor with no taint of turpentine. Ripe in June. Harvard 2. Bishop Long X Yellow Manga. Tree round-headed, with short, compact branches and small, stiff foliage. Fruit small, weighing about § pound. Ovate, slightly flattened, buff-yellow. Seed very small, flat, oval, no fibre. Flesh light-orange in color, juicy, honey-sweet, without any turpentine flavor. Early. Ripens in June. Harvard 3. Sundersha 9 X Native S-Mango. Tree of rapid, strong, upright growth, with large, clean foliage. Fruit four to seven in cluster, 1 to pounds in weight, S-shaped, cylindrical. Seed slender, flat, and very small; scarcely any fibre. Skin thin, green, suffused with buff-yellow near stem end. Flesh paleyellow, sub-acid until quite ripe, and not over-sweet. No turpentine flavor. Ripens in July and August. Harvard 4. Sundersha $ X S-Mango. Tree of upright, spreading habit, with heavy branches. Prolific bearer. Fruit If to 2 pounds in weight; cylindricrhomboid, slightly flattened, 8 inches long and about 4 inches in diameter. Seed narrow, thin, and fibreless. Skin thin, green, suffused with pink and yellow on stem end, and with punctate dots. Flesh pale-yellow, rather sweet, with no turpentine flavor. Early. Ripens in June and July. Harvard 5. Sundersha 9 X Harvard 1. Tree vigorous, of tall, spreading habit, and productive. Fruit resembles Sundersha, but shorter; apex bent to one side and acute, weight \ to f pound. Skin very thin, green at apex, the remainder buffyellow, suffused with red and speckled with white. Seed small, flat, fibreless; flesh juicy, pale-orange in color, rich, sweet, and with no turpentine flavor. Ripens in June and July. Harvard 6. Seedling of Manzana. Tree of medium size and rather slow growth. Fruit spherical, about one pound in weight; skin thick, deep green, heavily flushed with brown-red; seed small, with very little fibre: flesh orange in color, juicy and sweet, with little or no turpentine flavor. Late. Ripens in August. The following varieties of mango are under cultivation at the Station: Beef Bishop Long Black Jamaica Cable Cambodiana Caribe

Ciruela Cole Douglass Bennetts Alfonse Ese (S) Indio Kidney

Langra Benares Manzana Mulgoba, seedling No. 11 Jamaica Sundersha Totafari

also many seedlings. In 1903 a collection of native-grown bananas was brought together, consisting of the following varieties: Musa paradisica — Plantain

Criolla Hembra Isleno Macho Rabilargo Semilla

Musa Paradisica var. sapientum — Banana

Datil Degenerado Dos Racimos Guineo Indio 1 Indio 2

Manzana Martinique Morado 1 Morado 2 Puyac Enano (M. cavendishii)

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REPORT

The only land available at the time was poorly situated, dry, and shallow, with a rottenstone subsoil, and, although humus was dug in three feet deep, and the plants made excellent summer growth, they all suffered from drought the following winter and many of the plants were attacked by marasmus fungus. The best of the varieties were later removed to a more congenial locality, where an improvement in growth and vigor was soon discernible and the collection is still retained. On the deep, dark, well-drained lands banana culture can be developed in Cuba and the fruit can find a profitable local market. January 15, 1907, seeds of Musa ensete, M. gilletii, M. livingstoniana and M. superba were brought from Jamaica by Mr. Robert Cameron (of Harvard Botanic Garden, Cambridge, Massachusetts), and some work in hybridizing was carried on for several years; but the results were not very gratifying, and the few seedlings which reached the fruiting stage were in no way superior to varieties then in cultivation, and were quite susceptible to disease.

CYCADACEAE AND PALMAE THE cycads, though few in species, are fairly well represented by four genera — Cycas, Microcycas, Macrozamia, and Zamia; among them the rare, native Microcycas calocoma A.D.C. A fine plant of this species was received from Santiago de Las Vegas Experiment Station (courtesy of Mrs. E. F. Atkins) in 1920, and another specimen was later presented by Dr. Thomas Barbour. The native Yäbuna or Yuquilla de sabana, Zamia pumila L., is very common on the shallow porous land and hills in our vicinity, and is employed in the manufacture of sago and starch. The palm collection embraces over 80 species, many of special economic value, and new or rare species are constantly being added. Over forty species have already reached the flowering stage and, with rare exceptions, are producing viable seed annually. Little difficulty has been experienced in finding suitable soils and appropriate locations for the various species, and, excepting the coco-palm, the plants have not been injured by disease or insect pests. The coco grows perfectly well so far as soil and climatic conditions are concerned, but when five or six years old, on reaching the fruiting stage, many plants are destroyed annually by either the larvae of the rhinoceros beetle (Strategus titanus) or the budrot. Aside from the economic value of many species, the palms, in general, are of horticultural merit, graceful in appearance, and give a decided tropical effect to landscape plantings. The species at present under cultivation are enumerated in the following list.

65

HARVARD GARDENS IN CUBA SPECIES OF PALMS GROWING IN T H E HARVARD EXPERIMENTAL GARDENS AT PRESENT Acanthorhiza aculeata H. Wendl. warscewiczii H. Wendl. Cuban Corojo Palm Acrocomia lasiospatha Mart. sclerocarpa Mart. Corozo Palm species Large-seeded Corozo Palm totai Mart. Actinorhytis calaparia Archontophoenix (Ptychosperma) alexandrae Muell. Archontophoenix cunninghami H. Wendl. (Seaforthia elegans Hook.) Areca aliciae F. Muell. Betel-Nut catechu L. normanbyi (Ptychosperma normanbyi) triandra Roxb. Arenga saccharifera Labill. Sugar Palm Astrocaryum mexicanum Liebm. Star-Nut species Attalea cohune Mart. Cohune Palm gomphococca Mart. Caryota elegans Hort. Fishtail Palm urens L. Toddy Palm Chrysalidocarpus (Areca) lutescens Wendl. Golden Feather Pindo Palm Cocos australis Mart. eriospatha Mart. Wool Coco flexuosa Mart. nucifera L. Coconut plumosa Hook. Feather Coco romanzoffiana Cham. RomanzofTs Palm Corypha elata Roxb. Gebanga umbraculifera L. Talipot Palm Dictyosperma (Linoma, Areca) album Wendl. & Drude. (Areca) glandiformis Hort. rubrum Wendl. & Drude Dypsis madagascariensis Nichols African Oil-Palm Eloeis guineensis Jacq. melanicocca Gaertn. Black-seeded Oil-Palm Edible or Para Palm Euterpe edulis Mart. Guilielma (Bactris) utilis Oerst. Pejibaye Palm Hydriastele (Kentia) wendlpndiana Wendl. & Drude Bitter-Stem Palm Hyophorbe americaulis Mart. Pignut Palm (Areca) verschaffelti Wendl. Cluster Palm Kentia (Hydriastele) macarthurii Hort. Latania commersonii Gmel. (L. rubra Jacq.) loddigesii Mart. (L. glaucophylla Hort.) Licuala grandis Wendl.) Pritchardia grandis Bull.) spinosa Thunb. (L. horrida Blume) Livistona (Corypha) australis Mart.

Mexico, Panama Panama Cuba Panama Panama Argentine, Brazil Philippines Queensland N. S. Wales Queensland Asia, Malaya, Philippines Australia India India, Malaya Mexico Ancon, Panama Honduras, Cent. Amer. Costa Rica India India Madagascar Paraguay S. Brazil Brazil General Tropics Central Brazil S. Brazil Bengal to Burma Ceylon, Malabar Mauritius Moluccas Mauritius Madagascar W. Africa Colombia, Panama Brazil Costa Rica Queensland Mauritius Mauritius Queensland Mauritius Mauritius New Guinea Java, Moluccas S. Australia

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Livistona chinensis R. Br. (Latania borboFan Palm nica Hort.) hoogendorpii Hort. Oval-seeded Fan Palm ovaliformis Hort. Byrhoo Palm rotundifolia Mart. Hat Palm Manicaria saccifera Gaertn. Martinezia caryotaefolia Η. Β. K. erosa Lindl. Oncosperma fasciculatum Thwaites filamentosum Blume. (Areca nibung Griff.) Royal Palm Oreodoxa (Roystonea) regia Η. Β. Κ. Stemless Date Palm Phoenix acaulis Buch.-Ham. Canary Islands Date canadensis Chabaud dactylifera L. Common Date Hill Date humilis Royle Dwarf Date ouseleyana Griff. Cliff-Date rupicola T. Anders. roebelinii O'Brien Ivory Nut Phytelephas macrocarpa Ruiz. & Pav. Pritchardia pacifica Seem. & Wendl. thurstonii Drude wrightii Becc. Ptychosperma angustifolia Blume (Coleo spadix orinensis Becc.) macarthurii H. Wendl. Porcupine Palmetto, Rhapvdophyllum hystrix H. Wendl. Needle Palm Rhapis humilis Blume Sabal blackburnianum Glazeb. (S. umbra· culifera Mart.) Porto Rico Hat Palm (Inodes) causiarum Becc. havanensis Loddig. (S. glaucesens Lodd.) mauritiiforme Griseb. & Wendl. palmetto Lodd. Cabbage Palmetto Stevensonia grandiflora Duncan (Phoenicophorium sechellarum) Silver Thatch-Palm Thrinax argentea Lodd. barbadensis Lodd. parvifiora Schwartz Trachycarpus (Chamaerops) excelsus H. Chinese Windmill Wendl. California Fan Palm Washingtonia robusta Wendl. sonorae S. TFafs.

China Java China Java Panama Colombia W. Indies Ceylon Malaya Antigua, Cuba India Canary Isis. Africa Hilly dist. Himalayas S. slope of Himalayas India Assam to Cochin China Colombia & Venezuela Fiji, Samoa Fiji Isis. Cuba

-

N. Australia, N. Guinea Australia, New Guinea S. Florida China W. Indies Jamaica, Porto Rico Cuba W. Indies N. C. to Fla Bahamas Seychelles W. Indies Barbados Cuba Japan to Burma Arizona, California Lower Calif., Mexico

BAMBOOS, GRASSES, AND SEDGES A VERY fine collection of bamboos and other grasses was brought to the new Harvard Botanical Garden in 1902 and 1903, and they were planted along the stream. Unfortunately the greater number of these species were washed out and destroyed by floods in the following year (1904). The Bambusa section has been increased recently. The species all make excellent clean growth here, grow rapidly, and are fine for decorative and landscape planting, particularly where quick effect is desirable.

HARVARD GARDENS IN CUBA

67

Arundo donax, the Giant Reed, and its variegated form grow freely and is especially adapted for the preservation of river embankments. The large underground root stocks, or rhizomes, interweave and soon become a solid, impenetrable network. Twenty-two years ago one of the banks of the Garden stream, which was being eaten away by the water after every heavy rain, was planted with this reed and there has been no further trouble from erosion. Sedges, introduced for various experimental purposes, increased with such rapidity that they soon became a costly nuisance, especially in cultivated ground. They have since been eradicated, so far as possible, at a large expense and with much difficulty. A small plant of Cyperus alternifolius, the Madagascar Umbrella Plant, planted along the stream in 1903, soon clothed both margins with seedlings, and the species has become naturalized in ponds and streams and for many miles along the margin of the Arimao River. C. papyrus (Papyrus antiquorum Willd.)r the Egyptian Paper Plant, when planted, forms large clumps quickly but does not spread rapidly from seed. Volunteer seedlings, however, do occasionally occur among reeds and grass in marshy places. The following list includes a few of the more important species under cultivation here at present, with date of addition to the collection. COLLECTION OF BAMBOOS AND OTHER GRASSES, EFFECTIVE IN TROPICAL DECORATION Name

Arundinaria

Date Added

Common Name

alphonse

Kuril

1920

argentia

striata

1920

(A. nana Roxb.) Dwarf Bamboo Blue Bamboo Taihuchiku Falcate-leaved Bamboo Metake Cane Giant Reed

falcata Nees. japonica Sieb. & Zucc. Arundo donax L,

1921 1923 1903

donax versicolor Kunth. saccharoides Gris. Bamhusa (Bambos) balcooa Roxb. disticha Mitf. polymorpha Munro thonarsii Kunth. vulgaris Schrad. Chusquia abietifolia Gris. Coix lacryma-jobi L. adlay Cortaderia argenteum Stapf. Cymbopogon citratus Stapf. Cyperus papyrus L. Dendrocalamus latifolius Munro stricta Nees.

1903 1903 1924 1902 1925 1922 1901 1906 1902 1920 1906 1904 1906 1923 1923

Miscanthus sinensis Anders. Oxytenanthera abyssinica Munro Pennisetum purpureum Schum. Phyllostachys aurea Riv. bambusoides Sieb & Zucc. quilioi Riv.

Habitat

Japan Japan Himalayas Japan Mediterranean Region, Egypt Garden Variety Cuba, Mexico, Brazil China Himalayas China China China, India Cuba, W. Indies E. Asia, Malaya China, Philippines Argentine N. Africa, S. Asia S. Europe, Syria, Africa Cochin China, Formosa India, Java

1905 1909 1916 1922 1924

Variegated Reed Spanish Cane Bambos Dwarf Bamboo Changeable Bamboo Feathery Bamboo Common Bamboo Chusqui Job's Tears Adlay Grain Pampas Grass Lemon Grass Papyrus, Paper-Reed Giant Bamboo Lance-Bamboo, Male Bamboo Zebra Grass African Bamboo Elephant Grass Golden Bamboo Stake Bamboo

China, Japan Abyssinia Natal China, Japan Nagasaki, Japan

1921

Broad-leaved Bamboo

China, Japan

GREY'S REPORT

68

Date Added

Common Name

Saccharum biflorum Forsk. ciliare Anders.

1921

hybridum Hort, japonicum Thysanolaena agrostis Nees. Tripsacum latifolium Hitch.

1911 1919 1908 1920

Desert Cane Bunch Cane, Delhi Mat Grass Hybrid Cane Uba Cane Tiger Grass Zacate Prodigio

Name

FORAGE LEGUMES A N D

Habitat

Algier India S.OfficinarumxS. ciliare China, Japan India Guatemala

GRASSES

IN connection with, the sugar cane and other agricultural research work which was early undertaken at the Cuban Station, many experiments related to permanent forage plants for the improvement of our cattle potreros, or pastures, and small farms. Seeds of numerous species of clover and economic grasses were sown and carefully attended in fair-sized test plats. The true clovers (Trifolium), of which 27 species and hybrids were tested in various soils for three consecutive years, gave very unsatisfactory results, and various later experiments with clover and similar legumes have usually been a disappointment. The seed germination was excellent, and the seedlings frequently made very satisfactory growth for several months but generally perished before reaching the flowering stage, or during the hot, wet weather, chiefly through unsuitable climatic conditions or surface fungus (Pythium), but also, occasionally, owing to the heavy, clayey nature of the land. The sweet clovers, Melilotus alba and M. officinalis, were of a much hardier nature than the trifoliums, but were not successful from an agronomic standpoint. They were tested in our various representative soils and localities and in prepared, sandy, well-drained soils, where the plants attained a height of 18 inches, flowered, and produced viable seed, but never became naturalized. The old plantings eventually died from excessive heat and moisture, or became the prey of Pythium or Rhizoctonia fungus. Alfalfa, Medicago sativa, especially New Mexican Peerless and Peruvian varieties, were moderately successful on the light, upland soils, but growth was less vigorous than in northern-grown plants and the yield per acre too low for commercial consideration. One of these plats, however, gave a fair stand of forage 15 inches high, and continued to supply three crops of green fodder annually for a period of five years, but eventually died of exhaustion. On our typical, heavy clay soils the percentage of germination was too low. On the sandy, alluvial land along the Arimao River, seed germination was good and plant growth vigorous. Volunteer seedlings were occasionally produced, but the plants eventually succumbed to hot, wet weather. Varieties recommended for planting in the southern United States have been procured and tested out in our trial grounds, but the results have not been sufficiently encouraging to place alfalfa among the successful experiments. Nitrogenous legumes, such as the Tick-Trefoils (Desmodium) and BushClovers (Lespedeza), are represented in Cuban pastures by several native species,

HARVARD GARDENS IN CUBA

69

many of them very drought-resistant, and these apparently supply to a great extent the nitrogenous elemental food essential in making a balanced ration in our potreros, similar to clover in the north. On the small ranches and dairy farms the native beggar-weed, Desmodium tortuosum, is frequently cultivated for green fodder and it is very nutritious. It grows wild and in quantities on our dry uplands and exhausted or run-down cane lands, frequently attaining a height of 5 to 8 feet. It is an annual which yields heavy crops and can be cut twice during the summer, either for green feed, for which it is unsurpassed, or hay-making, and it is also a fine soil-nitrifier and green fertilizer. The Kudzu vine, Puereria hirsuta, of China and Japan, has proved itself one of the best leguminous plants for dairy cattle in Cuba. It is wholesome, grows with the greatest freedom, and gives enormous crops of vines which can be cut as desired and fed green or dried as hay. For hay-making it is preferable to velvet beans or vining cowpeas. It makes a fine cover crop and is quite free from insect pests. Varieties of the dwarf standard, or upright-growing cowpeas, are cultivated here to some extent for feeding green and for ploughing under as green fertilizer. The green pods and mature peas are also raised in quantity for culinary purposes, and find a ready market in summer. Experiments with the Clay, Early Bush, New Era, and Whip-poor-will varieties have given excellent results. Plantings were made on the low, moist lands during the dry weather, and on the more hilly shallow lands during the wet summer months, sowing in drills 15 to 20 inches apart. Crops mature 75 to 90 days after planting. The Whip-poor-will variety has been grown here for many years, is quite drought-resistant, and has remained free from mildew and insect attacks. The vining cowpeas make good cover crops, but as green fertilizer they are hard to turn under with the plough. Peanuts are seldom raised here for stock feeding but are unexcelled for planting as a legume forage for both dairy animals and hogs. All varieties grow well here, especially on the alluvial soils, and the Spanish or African type has produced abundant forage and nut crops on both clay and cascajo shallow soils. Peanuts are almost indispensable on the hog farm. They afford excellent pasturage when the nut crop is reaching maturity. The hogs can be turned loose on the field, and by means of a portable fence new sections can be opened as desired when the nuts and forage on the older ones become exhausted. The peanuts are valuable for their oil and fertilizer, but aside from this the plant is a soil builder and does not exhaust the land. Numerous experiments at various seasons and with several varieties have all given very satisfactory results. About two bushels of nuts are required to plant an acre, dropping them, shelled or hulled, 8 to 10 inches apart in the drills, in rows 2 | feet apart. The White Mammoth variety has produced 34 bushels, and the Spanish 47 bushels, of nuts per acre. Where grown for the nut crop, the plants at maturity are ploughed out, or pulled up, and turned, roots upward. In two days the nuts are dry and can be collected. Peanuts are not extensively grown in Cuba but are worthy of more general cultivation, the tops for green fodder and hay, and the nuts for various commercial uses.

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The Australian Pea or Perennial Hyacinth Bean, Dolichos lignosus, is not generally known among the economic farm legumes and is usually employed for covering pergolas, screens, and verandahs on account of its rapid growth and rather showy flowers. I t is, however, an excellent plant for cover crops, yields heavy crops of nutritious green fodder which hold over the dry weather and can be cut as desired, and is quite drought-resistant. The large cattle ranches, or potreros, of Cuba are, fortunately, quite generously supplied with two excellent species of forage grasses, Yerba Bruja or Para grass, Panicum molle (P. numidianum), and Guinea Grass or Yerba de Guinea, Panicum maximum. They are both of foreign origin, but have become thoroughly naturalized everywhere, almost to the exclusion of some native species. P. molle is said to have been introduced from Colombia and Venezuela with cattle importations, and P. maximum was supposedly introduced from West Africa in negro slave bedding. They are perennial and tenacious in character, and yield a remarkably high tonnage of palatable forage. The Yerba de Guinea is a bunch-grass which increases rapidly from self-sown seed, is drought-resistant and well adapted for shallow soils and rocky hills, but is also quite at home on the deep savanna lands and along the coast. The Parä grass is a decumbent species which roots and grows from the nodes and spreads very rapidly. I t is most suitable for wet meadows, boggy lands, and the margins of streams and ponds, but grows perfectly well on the uplands, where it is remarkably drought-resistant, and is hard to eradicate when once established. Both species produce luxuriant, heavy growth in summer and are apparently very nutritious — judging from the excellent condition of the cattle and horses, which are practically raised solely on these grasses. In fact, this natural food resource on the larger cattle estates has to a great extent discouraged any desire for research work in forage grasses. The smaller stock and dairy farms need grasses to supply winter pasturage, but also varieties useful for the production of hay and ensilage, owing to the scarcity of green fodder during winter, when all vegetation is more or less dormant. Hay-making is beginning to receive some attention, and silage, scarcely known here a few years ago, is gradually becoming a necessity as the small farms increase in number and importance. Hitherto the working oxen and farm animals were practically dependent during the winter months on the cane tops (Cogollo) and corn fodder (Maloja), which are highly nutritious and economical; but during the severe droughts which sometimes occur between January and April the supply occasionally fails and conditions become serious. In view of the necessity for more drought-resistant species, better adapted for winter forage, research work on economic graminae was first undertaken in 1903 and 1904, and experiments with forage, green fodder, and ensilage grasses have since been more or less continued in conjunction with the seedling sugar-cane work. Seeds of over 50 species were imported, which included most of the permanent northern pasture grasses, and were planted in test plats in soils fairly representative of our various pasture lands. After a thorough trial, lasting over

HARVARD GARDENS IN CUBA

71

three years, however, very few species were found which showed any superiority over varieties already growing in the potreros. The blue grasses, Timothy, Red Top, Sweet Vernal, and similar northern varieties, proved unsuitable for our agronomic conditions. There are about 200 native or naturalized species of Graminae found in Cuba, of which about 60 grow in our vicinity, and among these there are not over a dozen which represent good all-round qualities desirable in a permanent forage grass. A few are relished by cattle, but others are eaten only in cases of extreme hunger. After Guinea and Parä grass, the Canamazo dulce, Axonopus compressus, is one of the best nutrient species for general grazing. The Grama grass, or Pelo de Buey, Bouteloua americana, is of economic value for mixed pastures. It seldom exceeds 2 feet in height, is alimental, drought-resistant, grows on the dry hills, and remains green long after most other species are seared and dry. Bermuda grass, or Yerba Fina, Cynodon dactylon, is the lawn grass of the tropics and there is none better. It seldom grows over 6 inches in height and is of creeping habit. It roots and grows from the joints and spreads rapidly, making a solid mat. This is a nutritious, drought-resistant grass suitable for nearly all soils and situations, and is specially adapted for sheep grazing and paddock planting. Grama pintada, Grimon or Jungle Rice, Echinochloa colona, is a fine, nutritious grass, attaining about 2 feet in height, and is quite drought-resistant. It makes good hay, affords excellent grazing early and late in the season, and is a fine grass for mixed pastures. Crab-grass or Grama de Caballo, Eleusine indica, grows common on all soils and is fine for paddocks and small pastures. It is alimental and remains green long after most species have become dormant. Pata de Gallina, Leptochloa mucronata, is a good grass for mixed potrero planting, is moderately nutritious, and not uncommon on waste lands and run-down cane land. Espartillo or Indian Rush-grass, Sporobolus indicus, grows a foot or more high, in bunches or tufts, is perennial, but spreads rapidly from seed. It is common along roadsides, on shallow savannas and the drier upland plains, taking possession of any openings in pastures. The foliage is slender, hard, and alimental. Cattle fed on it are usually in excellent condition. S. argutus, the pointed Dropseed-grass, is rather smaller in size, and is common on the arid savannas and barren hills; it is similar in character to the preceding. The Cambute or St. Augustine-grass, Stenotaphrum secundatum, has creeping stems which root and grow freely at the joints, spreading rapidly and forming a solid mat 6 inches in height, on all soils. It is nutrimental, and fine for small pasture lands. This species is often used for lawns and beds, for which it is excellent, but much coarser than Bermuda grass. The Natal or Wine-grass, Tricholaena rosea, is becoming naturalized everywhere in Cuba. It takes possession of shallow, hilly, and barren lands and is practically drought-proof. The stems are decumbent and branching, but its rapid distribution is due to the rose-colored silky seed pappus through which the seeds

72

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are borne a long distance. The culms are solid, wholesome, and nutritious, but very slightly bitter. Cattle eat it readily when accustomed to it. Several of the Finger-grasses, Chloris, are native or naturalized here, including C. elegans, C. radiata, and C. verticillata, and are frequently met with in pastures and waste lands; but they have never been specialized in cultivation. C. gay ana, Rhodes-grass, brought to notice as a valuable forage grass in the United States in 1903, has been under experimental cultivation since 1908 and has proved a persistent, wholesome grass for permanent pastures, and makes fine sheep and cattle grazing. It grows 11 to 2 feet high, is decumbent at the base, and sends out roots and branches from the nodes, but also increases rapidly from self-sown seed. The plant is drought-resistant, and on fair soil remains green throughout the winter, affording good pasturage. Rhodes-grass, which also makes good hay, is a favorite with all kinds of farm stock. The Molasses-grass, Gordura or Catingueiro, Melinis minutiflora, of Natal and Brazil, was introduced from Highland Oak Farm, Fort Pierce, Florida, in April, 1922, through courtesy of Mrs. E. F. Atkins, and has proved a useful forage grass. It grows 2 feet or more in height, is decumbent at the base, and branches freely from the nodes. It also grows freely from seed. The growth is similar to Yerba Bruja, but is bluish in color, the culms are pubescent and rather viscous, with a strong odor of molasses, which is sometimes objectionable to cattle until they become accustomed to it, after which they eat it with avidity. It is stated that cattle ticks disappear from fields where this grass is planted, on account of the odor. The culms are solid and high in nutriment, and the plant is very droughtresistant and adapted for cultivation on nearly all soils. It yields a heavy tonnage and gives two heavy crops of green fodder per annum. Experiments with the Natal Elephant grass, Pennisetum purpureum, have been in operation for several years, and the favorable results from all tests fully demonstrate that it is a valuable forage grass for general cultivation. It is a tenaciously rooted, perennial, reed-like species, with succulent stalks 6 to 12 feet high and \ to I of an inch thick, very rich in carbohydrates, and it gives a remarkably high yield of excellent green fodder, which can be cut three times during the year, or when 3 to 5 feet high. Plantings are readily increased from seed, or asexual plantings made from stalk cuttings, similar to cane plantings, and volunteer seedlings are quite common. Cattle and horses are very fond of this grass and it is one of the most desirable species for green fodder and ensilage on the dairy farm. It is very drought-resistant on all soils, and on account of the heavy root stock, or rhizome, seldom needs replanting. The Giant Gama-grass or Zacate Prodigio, Tripsacum latifolium, which is native to Guatemala, is one of the largest perennial grasses in the collection and is quite equal to the Elephant grass in general value as a green fodder for dairy and stable animals. It has given remarkably fine results on all of our soils. The plant is vigorous, compact in habit, with a thick, tenacious rootstock, produces heavy stalks 6 to 10 feet high, bearing an abundance of broad, soft, flexible foliage 2 to 4 feet long and 2§ to 4 inches broad, not unlike maize, to which the plant is closely related. The yield in tonnage per acre is enormous and the forage palatable, nu-

HARVARD GARDENS IN CUBA

73

tritious, and greatly relished by cattle and stable animals. It is excellent for green feed or silage, and two heavy crops of fodder can be cut during the year; or it can be allowed to remain on the plant and cut as desired throughout the winter, as the foliage is scarcely affected by dry weather and remains green all winter, even when corn and cane-tops have withered up from drought. The Giant Gama has shown no objectionable features, but combines all of the best qualities desirable in a permanent forage grass, and it can be highly recommended for general cultivation. The Canuala, Yerba de Don Carlos or Johnson grass, Holcus halepensis, has become pretty thoroughly distributed through the pasture and cane lands of Western Cuba and is one of the most pernicious, troublesome weeds found in cane fields and other cultivated land. When once established its eradication is practically impossible. Perennial rootstocks are produced in great quantities, which are easily detached and broken, and each piece sends up a vigorous plant. It also spreads rapidly from its abundant crops of seed. Its wide distribution is said to have originally been due to energetic salesmen who travelled over the island selling plants at a peseta (20 cents) each, with a guaranty that when once planted it would be permanent. Farm animals eat it when young, but at certain stages of growth it is said to be poisonous, so that animals frequently die after eating it. The genus Holcus, however, contains two species and many varieties of great economic value to the farmer. The Sudan grass, Holcus sudanensis, resembles Johnson grass, but is taller, gives heavier crops, and forms no perennial, underground, tuberous rootstocks. It has none of the objectionable characters of Johnson grass. Sudan grass has been cultivated here for many years as green fodder and is still grown extensively for our stable animals, as it is rich in carbohydrates and yields two enormous crops of green forage during the year, also an excellent crop of grain which is valuable for poultry. Sudan is practically drought-proof and grows well on land which is too dry for sugar cane or other crops, and where it will give a heavy stand of grass 6 to 8 feet high. The seed can be sown broadcast or drilled in, every 2 to 4 inches, in rows 3 feet apart; by the latter method we have cut 24 tons per acre. Voluntary plants are common on the old cane lands and open wastes. The plant is annual by nature, but is a semi-bunch grass and often lives over two or even three years in Cuba. Holcus sorghum includes many very distinct annual to triennial types of grainbearing and fodder grasses, — H. s. technicus, the Brown corn; H. s. saccharatus, the saccharine or sugar sorghum; H. s. Durra-caffrorum and caudatus, the Durra, Kafir corn; Feterita and other non-saccharine grain-bearing varieties,—all of which grow well in Cuba and can be profitably grown for green forage and ensilage. They are rich in nutrition and stand drought well, especially on the deep soils. During the past 22 years many varieties have been under experiment. Among the nonsaccharine varieties, Black-Hull, Red and White Kafir Corn, Rural Branching Durra, Jerusalem Corn (White Durra), Milo Maize, Egyptian Wheat (Shallu), Feterita, and so forth, all of which ripen crops in 72 to 120 days after sowing, all good for green fodder and ensilage, but grown chiefly for their immense seed crops on poultry farms. The sorghums grow on dry land where corn fails.

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The saccharine sorghums, such as Early Amber, Early Orange, Sugar Drip, Japanese Honey, and Texas Seed Ribbon Cane, are rich in sucrose and yield excellent sirup. The plants grow from 7 to 12 feet high and produce solid juicy culms, or stalks, frequently \ inch in diameter, on well-fertilized land. The saccharine varieties are much superior to the others for fodder, and are also the best and most profitable green food that can be grown for stable and other farm stock, and are eagerly devoured by all farm animals. Two crops of fodder can be cut during the year, and the plantings last for 2 years. Where plantings are made annually, seed can be sown broadcast at the rate of 150 pounds to the acre; or, where the ratoons are held over, plant seed 3 or 4 inches distant in drills to 3 feet apart, using 100 pounds of seed per acre, and cultivate after cutting. The seed crop ripens about 125 days after sowing, and makes fine poultry food. The seed hull is bitterish and a great protection against depredation from grackles and other birds. The non-saccharine varieties yield much better crops of larger grain, but the crop is frequently destroyed by birds and insects. Teosinte, Enchlaena mexicana, has been cultivated here for over 20 years, and has always given excellent crops of green forage and ensilage. It is a branching annual which grows well on exhausted cane land, attaining a height of 6 to 8 feet and producing 18 to 20 tons of green fodder to the acre. The seed should be sown 3 or 4 inches distant, in rows 4 feet apart. Where humus fertilizer was used liberally, tillerage was much more prolific and the plants grew 8 to 10 or more feet high with a yield of 30 tons per acre. There are, however, two varieties of Teosinte and, besides the annual variety previously mentioned, there is a more or less perennial type, of branching habit, which has broader leaves, grows taller, and often produces over 50 tillers, or stalks, to the plant. The plants give two crops of green fodder during the year, and in our trial plat continued to do so for three years. We have, however, been unable to procure seeds of this variety in the market during the past 15 years. Maize and Teosinte intercross very readily from wind-blown pollen, and should not be planted near one another where it is desired to keep the strains pure. Teosinte hybridized with maize for three or four generations, however, and carefully selected, produced some splendid fodder plants, superior to the parent in the yield of green forage, and the improvement in the quality of grain was remarkable. The plants were of branching habit, sent up 7 to 10 stalks to the stool, and produced 20 to 40 small ears 3 to 5 inches long, with kernels the size and quality of popcorn. Where maize and its hybrids were crossed with teosinte hybrids, the results were equally interesting. Selections were made of variants in which the plants sent up 3 to 5 branching stalks, with from 3 to 7 good-sized ears on each branch, and kernels the size of Argentine corn. There is a good opening for experimental work in hybridizing these two genera in Cuba. Native or Argentine maize is grown extensively in Cuba and is the main source of Maloja, or fodder, in the small farm communities. It is an excellent nutritious food for stock, and can be raised cheaply without the aid of much fertilizer. Considered solely as a forage plant, maize is inferior to Tripsacum latifolium, the Guatemala Gama grass (to which it is closely related), in food nutrition, yield,

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drought-resistance, and freedom from insect pests. Moreover, Tripsacum has never been affected with mosaic chlorosis and is not subject to Aphis maidis, supposed to transmit the mosaic, while maize is subject to both, on which account its planting in the vicinity of cane-fields has been prohibited by many cane estate owners. Maize, however, in addition to its cultivation for fodder on a large scale, is also Cuba's standard cereal crop and is important as a food in the household as well as for poultry and stock. Argentine maize is the variety universally grown in Cuba and gives the best general results under our various soil and climatic conditions; and at least two good crops can be relied on during the year. Spring plantings are made in April and May, and fall plantings in September and early October, which ripen their crop in 110 to 125 days after sowing. Summer plantings make robust, rapid growth and frequently mature a successful crop. Failures at that season are not usually due to either soil or climatic conditions, but to destruction from myriad insect pests which often destroy both stalk and foliage. The failure of winter planting is climatic — usually the result of drought, and diseases resulting from its effect. Research work in maize was among the earliest experiments taken up at the Harvard Station, and over 70 of the leading varieties of Dent, Flint, Sugar and Sweet Corn were imported and carefully tested in specially prepared plats for a number of years. Intercrossing of the native maize with the foreign varieties, and resultant hybrids, was also carried through several consecutive generations of progeny, and while haphazard crops were occasionally obtained, no definite improvement over the native variety was realized. The experiments with the sweet and sugar varieties were all failures from a commercial standpoint, because of climatic effect, diseases, and insect depredation. Continued selection of the native maize, covering 40 plantings, resulted in some improvement. A more clasping husk was produced, which enclosed the apex of the cobs so tightly that it prevented the entrance of ear-worms and other noctuid caterpillars, and the surface starch of the kernels was gradually expelled, leaving a hard, flint grain which reduced ant attacks and was almost weevil-proof — a matter of some importance, considering the fact that a large percentage of the maize raised in Cuba is destroyed by the corn weevil annually. One of the best foreign varieties of maize, now under test for several years, is the Bianca de Comala, a white, Dent, Mexican type, used in tamales and other Mexican cookery. It grows quite as freely as the Argentine or native maize, and gives an equal or larger yield of fodder and grain in both spring and fall plantings. We have also occasionally taken good summer crops on upland soil. A planting made last June 21 ripened a good crop October 12. The stalks grew 8 to 10 feet in height, and produced 1 to 3 ears per stalk 7 to 12 inches in length, well filled out with 12 rows of large white kernels. It is, however, more subject to weevil, when ripe, than the native maize. Purple Creole, a Flint variety, has also given good results, about equal to the native type and almost weevil-proof. The plant is rather dwarfish in habit, hardy, and bears 2 or 3 small but well-filled ears per stalk. The husk is tightly closed

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about the apex of the cob and excludes many insects. The hard flint kernels are seldom attacked by weevil. Brazilian Flour Corn is a handsome, prolific dwarf type, which branches from the base, sending up 3 to 5 stalks, and often produces from 3 to 4 small ears to the stalk, the size of popcorn, well filled out with 8 to 12 rows of small, pearly-white kernels. It gives a moderately high yield of green fodder, and is a profitable variety to grow for poultry food. It is a drought-resistant variety but also stands wet summer weather very well, and can be planted at all seasons with assurance of a good crop. Several years ago the Cuban government sent out samples of wheat and oats for experimental purposes, and twenty or more years ago reports were current that barley, oats, rye, wheat, and other cereals had formerly been grown in Cuba successfully, and that bread sold in Cienfuegos was made from home-grown wheat. Little credence was given to these reports, as various experiments had been made with cereals on several occasions, the earlier ones with northern seed, all of which gave unsatisfactory results. Strictly southern-grown and Spanish seed have been used in the more recent grain tests, including Red May Wheat, Southern Bearded Barley, Red Rust-Proof Oats, and Abruzzi Rye. The seeds of all varieties grew very readily, but the barley and rye plants were weak and, as usual, eventually turned out complete failures. Germination in the wheat plats, May planting, was excellent, and, although the plants grew rather straggly, they reached the flowering stage and some of the ears filled out with small, but sound, fertile kernels. Winter wheat plantings failed, owing to dry climatic conditions. Spring plantings of oats on well-drained upland soil showed high germination, and, although the plants were somewhat straggly, matured a moderately fair crop of good viable grain. October oats under irrigation on fertile soil also ripened a passable crop, but were never comparable to northern crops and occasionally failed to mature their grain. Late fall plantings of oats and wheat might give haphazard crops in the hills where the rainfall in winter is more constant than on the lowlands, but these cereals have never produced profitable crops at this Station. Upland Rice, Oryza saliva, has been grown here annually for many years, and on several occasions has produced a successful crop of grain. It could, no doubt, be raised in sufficient quantity for home consumption, but is subject to injury from both birds and insects; and it is doubtful if it could be raised in competition with other countries' agricultural crops. Japanese Buckwheat, Fagopyrum esculentum Var., has grown successfully on nearly all soils, and plantings made at various seasons of the year have produced excellent crops of good-sized grain in from 7 to 8 weeks after sowing. Cuban farmers do not appear to be familiar with the merits of buckwheat as a desirable farm product, and it is seldom seen in cultivation. Aside from the value of the flour for culinary purposes, the plant supplies splendid flower-feed for bees, the grain is highly prized for poultry, and the rough-ground meal affords nutritious hog and stock feed. Buckwheat is also an excellent green fertilizer, and can be

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turned under with the plough five weeks after sowing, while most other green manures require from two to three months. The Russian sunflower, Helianthus annuus, has been grown successfully here for many years on practically all classes of soil, and gives two good commercial crops from plantings sown in May or June, and in September and early October. Without the aid of fertilizer, and on run-down cane land, heavy stands have been obtained. The plant grows 8 to 10 feet high and the flower discs measure 6 to 15 inches or more in diameter, producing heavy crops of large fertile seeds. The seeds should be sown 3 or 4 inches distant, in drills 3 feet apart. The seed is as rich in protein as many of the legumes and contains a fine quality of oil used in cooking. After the oil is cold-pressed, the press-cake meal mixed with other feed is excellent to fatten cattle and hogs. The seeds are also valuable for poultry food. STRAWBERRIES

BIG BOB, Brandywine, Gandy, Glen Mary, Marshall, Sharpless, and other leading varieties of strawberry have been successfully cultivated at this Station, and fair crops of berries have been produced from January 1 to April 1. Jersey Queen and Marshall were under continuous cultivation for fourteen years. Meritorious results were also obtained from numerous hybrids raised here from seed, which were under cultivation for a number of years. Selected seedlings were very prolific in growth and runners, and produced an abundance of very fair fruit. Strawberry plants grow without difficulty during the winter months, but need careful attention during the rainy season. The old plants seldom carry over the summer months, but they make numerous runners which are easily propagated and hold over very well. When the runners are set out directly in beds during spring, they should be planted on slightly raised ridges in order that the rain may drain off quickly and not remain at the base of the plants. Runners planted in this manner suffer less frequently from Pythium and Rhizoctonia fungus. Light, porous soil is most suitable for strawberry cultivation. Where the land is heavy, one third sand and a little well-decayed leaf humus should be added. Dead leaves should be removed and the ground surface around the plants should be stirred up frequently during the summer months. Strawberry runners planted in small pots, grown on benches, and sheltered with cheese-cloth, hold over the summer nicely and can be transplanted to the open ground in late October or November. This is a very successful method. THE VEGETABLE

DEPARTMENT

A DEPAETMENT devoted to vegetable cultivation was opened when the Harvard Garden was first established and is still in active operation on a reduced scale. Experiments have shown conclusively that nearly all the important varieties grown in the northern vegetable gardens, with the exception of sweet or sugar corn, can be grown here quite successfully during the dry or cool period from November to May. In fact, our much longer growing period will often permit

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several successive plantings of many varieties which are limited to a single planting or crop in the north, including eggplant, lima beans, peppers, sweet potatoes, late tomatoes, etc. First plantings of beans, beets, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, kohl-rabi, peppers, and tomatoes are quite frequently sown in August and September and escape injury from the autumn rains. Some varieties of beans, cress, cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, squash, and tomatoes (with a little care) can be grown at all seasons, and seeds of the delicate varieties should be started in cold frames for protection from the September and October rains, and, later, be transplanted to the open ground. When planting, the distance between the rows and from plant to plant is similar to plantings in the north. During the past thirteen years a memorandum has been kept regarding the growth action of vegetables under our particular agronomic conditions, with the date of sowing the seeds, and the approximate number of days required to bring each variety to a state of perfection for culinary or table use from seed; from which the following notes were extracted. Conovers Colossal Asparagus. Two-year-old roots were planted in thoroughly prepared beds, in 1903, and continued to supply cut asparagus for nine years without the necessity of replanting. The cutting season was more prolonged than in the north, lasting from February 1 through March. A second crop was available in August, but was allowed to go to growth, to strengthen up the roots. The growth was less robust, but was tender and of excellent flavor. During the dry weather water was given sparingly to keep the crowns healthy, and a heavy watering when it was desired to start the new crop into action. Plants from the original beds planted over twenty years ago are still retained under cultivation and are strong and healthy. Aselga Bianca, or Swiss Chard, grows well at all seasons in any friable garden soil. Summer plantings should be limited to well-drained porous soil. The leaves are treated and eaten as cabbage, or the midribs cooked as in asparagus. Winter plantings made in September produce usable foliage early in November. Succession plantings are made every month. Artichoke, French(Cynara). The variety Green Globe has been grown very satisfactorily on our well-drained terrace soils enriched with well-decayed manure or leaf humus, in full sun exposure. Seeds sown in October can be transplanted to their permanent location in February or March, by setting the plants 3 or 4 feet apart, cultivating the surface soil frequently, and removing the dead leaves around the base of the plants. The plants fruit the following autumn. Cuttings taken from the base of the old plants, and propagated, fruit sooner than seedlings. Artichoke, Jerusalem (Helianthus tuberosa).

Constantly under cultivation for

fifteen years and seldom replanted, has supplied good mature tubers annually, in November. The plant grows well in any good garden soil, preferably of a sandy nature, and a little afternoon shade is beneficial. During the dry winter months the bed should be watered occasionally to keep the tubers in sound condition until required for use. Beans require well-drained, moderately rich, open soil, but no fresh manure. The small lima or sieva and the Chinese varieties — Taukok and Yard-Long-Pod

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— grow throughout the year, and some of the hardier garden or string beans can be grown in summer on the sandy or stony uplands. The delicate varieties, of the Flageolet and Plentiful types, suffer from mildew and spot disease in summer. Broad beans have never been very successful, but, with this exception, all classes grow perfectly well and give good crops during the winter season. First plantings are made in September and October. Beets grow without difficulty during the winter or dry months, and roots of the February and March sowing will keep in the ground until the latter part of August. Like most root crops of this nature, they grow best in raised beds, several inches high, about five feet wide, and any length desired, in well-worked garden soil, open to full sun. A little shade in the afternoon will do no harm and is usually supplied by palm leaves. First sowings are made in early September (or earlier in cold-frames). The larva of a micro-lepidopter sometimes attacks early plantings, and will be found enrolled within the leaf margin. Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts grow well, but seldom perfect satisfactory crops. Buckwheat grows rapidly on any of our general soils and produces ripe buckwheat at all seasons, six to eight weeks after sowing. The Japanese variety is by far the best for this climate and gives large crops of good grain. Cabbage of the Chinese varieties (Brasica pekinensis) can be grown throughout the year on porous, fertile soil, but winter plantings give the best results. All varieties of cabbage (Β. oleracea) can be grown successfully during the dry season on good, rich garden soil. First seed-plantings are usually made late in August and September (during the rainy season), but the early outdoor seed beds are frequently destroyed by rain and hot weather at that season. For the first and second plantings the varieties are all sown on the same date to prolong the crop season. Early Jersey Wakefield sown on August 11 produced heads available for table use on November 12, while late varieties of the Drumhead type planted on the same date were not ready until December 25. The early varieties are of excellent flavor, but are small, do not keep well, and are of less commercial value than the solid-headed varieties. They can be sown until January, and the late types until October. Hot, moist, spring weather is detrimental and often destroys the crop, but occasionally the late plantings made in a good airy location, on well-drained land where a little shade is afforded, will last until October. Cardon grows moderately well on our various garden soils during the winter months. The seeds are sown in drills 3 feet apart and the young plants are thinned out to a foot apart in the rows. It is blanched like celery, but prior to earthing up the plants they should be wrapped with ribbed paper, as the wet earth is liable to rot the plants. Carrots are among the most satisfactory of our winter vegetable crops. They are easily grown and have no fungus or insect enemies. Early plantings made in September require protection from the heavy rains for two or three weeks, and it has been customary to sow in boxes at that season and transplant to the open ground when the plants become strong. In transplanting, however, the taproot must not be injured or it branches and becomes worthless. Seed sown in Novem-

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ber and December grow rapidly and produce excellent crops. Plantings made in February and March will supply carrots until September, as they keep well in the ground and are not injured by the summer rain. Seed plantings made from April to September seldom give satisfactory returns. Carrots require well-worked garden soil which, for best results, should be made up in raised beds, and they grow best in a sunny location. Cauliflowers require the same general treatment as cabbage. The seeds are sown in regular seed beds and the young seedlings, when large enough, are transplanted into fresh soil. After they become strong they are set out in their permanent rows 18 inches apart. The large-growing varieties, such as Half Early Paris, Mammoth Late, and Autumn Giant, make luxuriant growth, but seldom produce heads, while the early sorts, such as Early Dwarf Erfurt and Early Snowball, rarely fail to set good flowers and give excellent results. Cauliflowers will not grow in hot summer weather. First plantings are usually made in September, and subsequent ones as late as November. A plentiful supply of water is required at all times. Celeriac (turnip-rooted Celery) is a member of the celery family and requires similar treatment, except that it requires no blanching and is therefore better adapted for cultivation here. It develops a large, fleshy, bulbous base of decided celery flavor, used raw in making salads, or as a boiled vegetable. Celeriac has been grown here very successfully and is easily cultivated. Seed can be sown from October to December. Celery, as a rule, is grown in Cuba solely as a condiment for flavoring soups and salads, seldom for blanching, and grows very freely during the winter season. The tiny seedlings are too delicate to stand the heavy rains and heat. Sowings made in February, however, frequently carry over the summer months if planted in boxes, or on the well-drained open soils, and given a little shade part of the day. Excellent table celery has been grown here with little difficulty. Seeds of the early self-blanching varieties are sown in the greenhouse in August and September. By the time the plants are strong enough to set out, the heavy rains are over and they are transplanted in good rich garden soil, free from fresh manure, and given plenty of water. The self-blanching varieties require very little additional blanching, but in December or January they are usually either earthed up or wrapped with heavy paper for four to six weeks, to make them tender. Challotes (Sechium edule) are commonly cultivated everywhere in Cuba as a market product and are of easy culture. The vines are not unlike those of a cucumber and are usually trained over trellises. The culinary uses of the challote are similar to those of summer squash. The tuberous root is also edible. Any good garden soil is suitable for their cultivation, and although they usually grow during winter they can be had at other seasons of the year. Chicory has been successfully cultivated here on various occasions. It will grow and produce strong roots, suitable for forcing in one year, on any friable soil with plenty of sunlight, and stands the summer weather well. Chives grow freely in any of our garden soils, and the bulbs multiply rapidly. They remain in the ground without injury throughout the year. The leaves are used, similarly to leeks and onions, for flavoring.

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Cress. The native water-cress, Nasturtium officinale, grows plentifully in our streams and flourishes here as it does in the north. The garden or land cress, Lepidium sativum, is frequently cultivated and requires no special attention. It can be grown throughout the year on any of our soils in a sunny location, and if not allowed to run to seed can be cut over for greens three or four times. Cucumbers can be grown here in both winter and summer and produce moderately good crops. They require good garden soil and a fair amount of sun. In some locations the vines are troubled with blight, but if Bordeaux mixture is applied as a preventive, it usually has the desired effect. Eggplant. The eggplant grows best here in raised, well-drained beds of porous soil, to which has been added | part of well-decayed leaf mold or well-rotted manure. A sunny location is also desirable. The plants are started from seed in August and September, for the winter crop in the greenhouse, and set out in October or early November. Black Beauty and Early Pekin, sown on the same date with New York Improved, will produce fruit over a month earlier and are more prolific bearers, but New York Improved is larger and finds a better market. The fruiting season lasts for over a month. The plants often grow during summer, but seldom produce fruit at that period. Endive is of easy culture and grows well on any garden soil during the winter months from seed sown in late September to February. When the plants are full grown, they can be blanched by drawing up the outer leaves and tying them loosely over the crown. Blanching is often effected in the north by covering the plants with long narrow boxes and flowerpots, but the plants are liable to decay when treated in this manner. Fennel, or Finocchio, grows exceedingly well here in winter in well-worked garden soil. Seeds are planted in September, or until late November, in shallow trenches, and when the base of the plants, or bulbs, are about 2 inches in diameter, they should be earthed up a little. This is a delicious vegetable either cut up raw for salads or for creaming when boiled, and has a sweetish, celery-like taste. Kohl-Rabi, of the cabbage tribe, bears more resemblance to a turnip, with a flavor of both, but is never bitter in taste. It is one of the most satisfactory vegetables grown here throughout the winter. Good fertile garden soil is suitable for its cultivation, and if kept free from weeds and watered, it requires little other attention and can be had from late October until August. Seed plantings can be made from August to February or early March, and the last planting will usually ensure a supply during the summer months. Leeks can be successfully grown here and require no special care after planting. They grow best in well-worked fertile soil and are sown or transplanted in trenches 5 or 6 inches deep. When the plants are half grown they are earthed up for blanching, and remain in the ground until required, as they are not injured by the summer rains. Winter crops are most successful, and first sowings are made early in September, with subsequent plantings as desired, until February. The last sowing will supply leeks all summer. Lettuce is more extensively cultivated in Cuba than any other salad vegetable. It is easily grown, requires no particular attention, and has practically no insect

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or fungus enemies. It grows best in raised beds of moderately rich garden soil (but with no fresh manure), and in a sunny location, with a good supply of water. Plantings are made from September until March. The Cos varieties are not desirable. The loose-leaf varieties of the Simpson type are the earliest, and are included in the first plantings. Lettuce is a winter crop, and summer plantings are seldom successful, even under glass. Martynia proboscidea grows freely during the winter months on any fair garden soil, and volunteer plants are frequent around the plantings of the previous year. Seeds are sown in October and November. The green fruit prior to becoming woody is used for pickling and makes a good relish. Melons. Musk melons have been raised here at various seasons. The vines grow rapidly and produce melons of a fair quality. Plantings are made either in hills or on the level, usually in March and October, at which season they seem to make the best crops; a sunny location is desirable. In some localities the plants are attacked by melon blight. Bordeaux Mixture is a good preventive, but after the plants are attacked there is apparently no cure. Watermelons grow spontaneously in the fields and are more or less naturalized. They seldom grow very large, but are of good flavor. Plantings are made during the summer months as a rule and these give the best results. Mustard for salads is of very easy culture and grows rapidly on any fair soil. It can be cut for table use eighteen or twenty days after sowing, and will usually give two or three crops if not allowed to flower. Winter plantings are most satisfactory. Onions require well-worked, fertile, porous soil, with good drainage and a sunny location. They can be grown satisfactorily only during the winter months. At that season, however, excellent crops of fine large onions can be raised, either from seeds planted from September to January, or from sets, which produce bulbs that grow more quickly, but are inferior in size and quality. They require plenty of water when growing and must be kept free from weeds. Summer plantings fail from superabundant heat and moisture. Parsley can be sown under glass during September or in the open ground from late October to February. It requires well-prepared, rather rich, porous soil with good drainage, and light shade through the hottest part of the day is beneficial. Parsley makes fine healthy growth during the winter months, and February sowings frequently last through the summer, especially when grown in well-drained boxes of soil. Parsnips are solely a winter crop and require a long season to make good roots. The seeds are sown as soon as possible in September, or early October, in raised beds of porous, well-tilled soil, with good drainage, and in a sunny location. Fresh manure is injurious. After the seeds germinate, the plants need plenty of water. Peanuts produce normal crops of good nuts, on any of the alluvial or open soils enriched with well-rotted humus manures. Both summer and winter plantings give satisfactory results, but summer crops are usually most prolific. Peas have been thoroughly tested, and nearly all of the leading varieties have made good growth and given excellent crops during the winter months; but all are

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subject to severe attacks of mildew in hot summer weather, arid fail to give profitable crops. First plantings can be sometimes sown in late September, and early medium and late varieties are planted at the same time to prolong the picking season. Afterward the later varieties are sown only as they produce larger crops, which are usually of better flavor. Fresh peas can be had from November until April if successive plantings are made every two weeks. Rich garden soil without fresh manure is required for best results, with a sunny location where they can be protected from the frequent cold winter northers. Peppers of the annual type, such as the Bell, Bullnose, and Ruby King, have to be planted every year and require moderately good, porous soil. If planted on level land, raised beds are advisable to ensure good drainage, and a little shade around midday is also beneficial. They are usually considered a winter crop here, but can be planted at any season and mature good crops. They are of easy culture and have no injurious enemies. The Cherry pepper is native to Cuba, and several of the varieties of Capsium acuminatum and C. baccatum have become naturalized and are found wild around the margin of woods on stony or shallow porous soils. These varieties are also cultivated here. Potatoes cannot be cultivated successfully in Cuba during the hot, rainy summer months. They make straggly, soft vines, suffer from mildew, and rot off at the ground surface. I have heard that potatoes can be grown in the hills in summer, but have seen several of these plantings, all of which were failures. Fairly prolific crops can be raised under irrigation during the winter months, on well-tilled garden soil, if free from fresh manure. Plantings made from late October to March will perfect their crop in about two and one-half months, but the tubers will not hold over for seed, which has to be imported annually. A sunny location is essential for best results. Radishes grow well during the winter months in any porous garden soil, in a sunny location, and perfect excellent crops, usually, twenty-two to twenty-five days after sowing. Summer plantings are seldom successful. Rosette Hemp, or Jamaica Sorrel, is grown for the succulent calyces, which are stewed like cranberries and used for jelly making, and the boiled juice, bottled without sugar, is used as a refresco. The plants set out four feet apart in M a y grow freely and produce heavy crops in October. Squash and Chinese Pumpkins grow well in Cuba at all seasons, and are cultivated extensively, the finer varieties for culinary use and the large, farm types for hog and cattle food in winter. The late fall crops keep for three or four months after ripening. The farm varieties are sown in the corn plantings in spring and fall, and the Crookneck, Turban, and Vegetable Marrow varieties are grown in raised mounds (hills) in any good garden soil at various seasons. An occasional application of Bordeaux mixture is a good preventive against insects and blight, which, however, is seldom troublesome. Sweet Potatoes, or Boniatos, grow wild in the fields in many varieties, and are also cultivated very extensively as a home and market product. They can be planted at all seasons, but are occasionally scarce in the market because of a little lack of forethought at planting time. Plantings made on the low, moist, fertile

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land from April to July make enormous vines, which cover the ground so densely that they exclude light and keep the ground wet and cool, and consequently produce no tubers. Plantings made at that same period on the stony or shallow hilly lands, which dry out frequently and feel the effect of the sun, produce stocky, fibrous growth and intuitively make tubers for the storage of reserve food. Because of the slightly adverse growing conditions they also flower and produce fertile seed. On the other hand, sweet potato cuttings planted between mid-August and January, for the winter and early spring crops, give better results on the low moist lands. During the dry cool weather the plants need all the moisture possible to induce normal growth and to produce tubers. However, plantings which are going to mature their crop in dry winter weather should never be made on the dry shallow lands, as the maturing tubers are invariably attacked and destroyed by the shot-hole weevil (Enscepes batatoe). Spinach, Spinacia oleracea, cultivated extensively in the north, can be grown here from October to February, but has never given very successful results. The New Zealand spinach, Tetragonia expansa, however, is a good substitute and produces excellent crops all winter. It is not particular regarding soil or location, and volunteer plants are usually abundant where the variety has previously been grown. The seeds remain dormant through the summer and germinate abundantly in October and November. New seed plantings can be made in September. Tomatoes can be grown throughout the year, but the best crops are produced during the winter months from seed plantings made anywhere between late August and January. Winter plantings are treated similarly to those in the north. The seeds are sown in boxes, or seed beds, and the strong seedlings are transplanted, two or three feet apart, to good rich garden soil, in which the humus fertilizer is well decayed. Low flat trellises built a foot above ground are sometimes used, but are not necessary in the winter. The plantings should be thoroughly watered whenever the soil is becoming dry. During the summer months the ordinary rich heavy soils are usually too wet, and the plants make soft straggly growth, owing to the excessive heat and moisture through which they are subject to mildew and disease. This condition can be more or less obviated by planting on the porous, shallow, lightly fertilized soils and training the plants over trellis supports. The soil, drying out more frequently, will produce harder, fibrous growth. Plantings treated in this manner have produced excellent summer crops. Slender-leaved early varieties, like Abundance and Ear liana, are best adapted for summer cultivation. Turnips require well-tilled garden soil in which the humus manures are well decayed. The varieties tested here grow exceedingly well throughout the dry season, and one or two varieties, such as Long White and Purple Top, have grown moderately well in summer. Turnips are of rapid growth and, as rains are infrequent in winter, they require a liberal supply of water to prevent them from becoming fibrous and bitter in flavor. Yuca, or Cassava, is cultivated extensively in Cuba for the manufacture of starch and for table food. Two species, including numerous varieties, are com-

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monly grown, the bitter yuca, Manihot utilissima, and the sweet yuca, M. aipi, but the bitter species is more productive and more frequently cultivated. The juice of the bitter yuca is poisonous and contains prussic acid, which, however, is dispelled in cooking. Rich, deep, porous upland soils are most suitable for its cultivation, and the heavy wet lands are injurious, frequently causing the roots to decay. The plant is propagated by cutting the old stems into pieces four or five inches long and planting them singly every two feet in deep drills about four feet apart. Plantings are made in the late fall or early in spring, and good tubers are produced in from ten to twelve months. VEGETABLES

NUMBER of days required to perfect vegetables for table use from seed. The first column refers to winter plantings and the second one to summer plantings. Some of the tests of individual varieties were made from six to twenty or more times, and the difference in the number of days between sowing and harvesting any one variety may be due to a difference in temperature or moisture, to variation of the soil or locality, or to the period of the year in which the seeds were sown. Name of Variety

Aselga blanca, Swiss chard Bean, Bountiful, Dwarf or bush Canadian Wonder, Pole Colorada Mexico Dreer's Golden Cluster Wax, Pole Dwarf Horticultural Early Valentine Everbearing, Pole Farquhar's Plentiful Flageolet Golden Wax Hodson's Wax Kidney Wax Kentucky Wonder, Pole Old Homestead (Kentucky Wonder) Pole Pinto, Mexico Rayada, Mexico Saint Fiacre, Pole Stringless Greenpod Sutton's Perfection Wonder of France Yosemite Wax, Pole Taukok, Chinese, Pole (can be planted all seasons) Yard-Long Pod, Pole (can be planted all seasons) Lima, Burpees Bush Lima, Leviathan, Pole Lima, Sieva, White, Pole Lima, Sieva, Florida Butter, Pole Lima, Sieva, Blue, trellis vine Lima, Sieva, Petiere, trellis vine, native Beet, Blood Turnip Crimson Globe Crosby's Early Egyptian

Winter Days

60-70 34-40 65 55 55-60 57-60 45-55 60 45-50 50 65 45-52 50-55 70-75 55-60 47 40-45 60 40-50 46-50 48-50 50-58 53-60 60-70 78 110-116 80-90 60-65 75 65 65 70-85 65-80

Summer Days

65-70 35-40 52 52 45-50

75-80

50-52

60-65 70-75 83 110 90-95 65 80-85 80-90

86

GREY'S REPORT Name of Variety

Beet, Dewing's Early Blood Dewing's Summer Early Egyptian Early Egyptian Improved Early Egyptian Blood Early Long Early Summer Edmand's Early Blood Farquhar's Midsummer Sugar, Klein Wanzeleben (for sugar) Sugar, White Vilmorin (for sugar) Buckwheat, Japanese, all seasons from sowing to ripe seed Cabbage, Chinese Pi T'sai Chinese Wong bok Dwarf French Vaugirard Early Jersey Wakefield Early Short Milan Savoy Early Spring Early Summer Flat Dutch French Etamps Large Milan Savoy Large Red Drumhead Late Drumhead Savoy Oxheart Schweinfurt, Large Flat Small Early York Sutton's All Heart Sutton's Summer Drumhead (a poor keeper) Warren's Stone-Mason Cardon, De Tours Carrot, Chantenay Danvers's Half-Long Early Forcing Early French Forcing Early Scarlet Short Horn Early Short Red Farquhar's Model Intermediate Short Horn Frame Cauliflower, Early Erfurt Early Snowball Early Summer Sutton's Favorite Sutton's First Crop Celeriac, Giant Smooth, Prague Celery, Giant Pascal Golden Self-Blanching White Plume Challote, blanca verde Chicory, French Italian Chives, perennial, throughout the year Corn, Argentine Native Peruvian Flour Blanca de Comala

Winter Days

70 77 75-85 70-80 70-75 100 95 75-80 75-80 140 180 33-42 60 75 110-115 70-80 120 90 95-100 135 110-120 130-135 130 130-135 105 115 95-100 100 103 135-145 75-80 90 90-95 80 60-65 45-53 75-80 90-95 90-95 45-50 100-125 120-130 125-130 110-115 105 105 165 150-160 155-160 100-110 100-110 250 250 120110 100-110 120

Summer Days

75-90 74

182 180 35-42 50-50 70-90

75

90 50

100 110

120-130 110-120 120-130

HARVARD GARDENS IN CUBA Name of Variety

Cress, Garden Extra Curled Upland Plain Cucumber, Early White Spine Arlington White Spine Eggplant, Black Beauty Early Dwarf Purple Early Pekin Long Purple New York Improved Endive, Batavian (Escarolle) White Curled (self-blanching) Fennel, Florence-Fenocchio Kohl-Rabi, Early White Vienna Earliest White Earliest Purple French Chou-Rave Sutton's Earliest White Leek, Carenton Giant Musselburg Scotch Lettuce, Big Boston Black-seeded Simpson Black-seeded Tennis Ball Mignonette Sensation Sutton's A l Sutton's Cabbage Lettuce, Sutton's Little Cos (Romaine) Sutton's Mignonette Sutton's Standwell Sutton's Wonderful Martynia proboscidea Melon, Musk, Emerald Gem Musk, Hackensack Musk, Montreal Water, Early Fordhook Mustard, Brown White Onion, Ailsa Craig White Spanish Yellow Globe Danvers Parsley, Champion Moss Curled Fern Leaved Parsnip, Hollow Crown Market Model Tender and True (Sutton's) The Student Pea, Alaska Alderman Cox's Improved Stratagem Early Morn Everbearing Gradus Harbinger Pilot Sutton's Duchess of York Sutton's Early Champion Sutton's Early Morn

!.

87 Winter Days

Summer Days

20-30 25-30 35-40 40 110-120 124 105-110 110-115 140-160 95 85-90 100-120 63-65 65-70 65-70 64 60-65 120-130 140-145 125-130 75 40-48 55-60 50-60 70 40 68-75 48 50 40-15 70-75 75-90 80-85 90-95 95 95-100 25-30 25-30 100-110 85-90 120-125 50-55 45-50 110 110-115 105-110 100-110 35-40 70 68-70 55-60 60-65 70 40-45 33-35 50 55 55-60

20-25 25-30 35-40 40

73

150 46 55

45 68

88

GREY'S REPORT Name of Variety

Pea, Sutton's Senator Telephone Peanut, Mammoth White Spanish Pepper, Cayenne Cherry Chile Large Marron Large Sweet Hybrid Mexican Tabasco Ruby King Potato Burbank Irish Cobbler Pumpkins, Chinese Radish, Early French Breakfast Long Scarlet Scarlet Erfurt Scarlet Turnip Rooted Spinach, New Zealand Squash, Golden Custard Golden Hubbard Golden Hubbard X Cushan Golden Hubbard X Chinese Pumpkin Moore's Vegetable Marrow Summer Crookneck Turban X Hubbard Sweet Potatoes, Yellow Nansemond Dahomey Native Varieties Tomato, Acme Belmont Cascade Early Dwarf Champion Golden Nugget Golden Queen Livingstone's Perfection Maincrop Pear Ponderosa Prince Borghese Sparks Earliana Stone Sutton's Abundance Swiss Beefsteak Turnip, Cowhorn Early Round Early Six Weeks Farquhar's Model Golden Ball (Orange Jelly) Purple Top Milan Purple Top White Globe Ruta Baga, Budlong's Improved Ruta Baga, Improved Purple Top Sutton's Early Red Milan Sutton's Snowball White Globe

Winter Days

40-45 65-75 120-130 118-133 125 86-90 115 120-125 90-95 110-120 100 90-100 80 95-110 35-40 30 25-30 21-30 60 75-80 80-85 95-110 90-100 95 80-85 90-95 100-120 120-135 100-110 110 105-115 75-90 110-115 85-90 100-110 100-110 90-95 100-110 120-125 120-125 90-100 115-120 80-85 105 45-50 60 50 85 60-70 48-55 50-55 110-120 100-108 40 48-55 65

Summer Day»

140 88 97 118 100 90-100

80 90-100 95-100 80-85 100-120 130-140 100-110 70-80 90 110-120 125-132 95-100 120 108 45-50

80 60

REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1926 THE BOTANICAL GARDEN G E N E R A L AND METEOROLOGICAL

NOTES

THE specimens in the original section of the Arboretum, usually known as the Old Garden, have made creditable growth during the year and are all in thriving, healthy condition. A small area south of the Limones bridge, on the right-hand side of the main road, has for many years been utilized as a depository for storing composts and preparing leaf humus, which is our chief fertilizer. This section was thoroughly renovated during the summer, planted with Bermuda grass and devoted to young specimens of palms and other stock requiring a shady location. The Garden stream which runs through the entire Arboretum from west to east has also been freed from weeds and obstructions, and the land which it waters has been brought into condition for planting. This is the most fertile section of the Garden and, when the weather becomes favorable during the coming spring, it is proposed to continue the original plan of planting palms along this ravine and, in addition, filling out this section with the more valuable shrubs and trees requiring deep, moist land for their successful cultivation. A good opportunity is also afforded for leaving long vistas at intervals for beautification of the landscape. Clearing up this particular area for cultivation has been a slow and somewhat expensive piece of work, but as this section extended through a prominent part of the Arboretum, it was considered advisable as an essential to the general welfare of the Garden. Previously, this area had been employed as an Hierbera for the cultivation of stable forage — Para grass, or Hierba Bruja (Panicum barbinode), a grass which grows rapidly, roots from every joint and, when established, is very hard to eradicate. Experimental plantings of broomcorn, corn, flax, false saffron or Azafran bastardo (Carthamus tinctorius), Coix, Japanese buckwheat, peanuts, roselle, sesame or ajonjoli, sorghums, both saccharine and non-saccharine types, Sudan and elephant grasses, sunflowers, teosinte, and various other farm products have all produced excellent crops, except flax, which nevertheless produced a fair crop of fibre and viable seeds. But this is not a flax country and the plants were less vigorous than northern-grown crops. These various agricultural crops have been tested out annually for many years, and the results have been frequently reported in the monthly statements. Further experiments can be discontinued if so desired. The trees in the fruit orchard have made very satisfactory growth during the year. They were top dressed with fertilizer last spring, which proved beneficial.

90

GREY'S REPORT

The citrus trees flowered profusely and set an abundance of fruit, which was, unfortunately, nearly all blown down and destroyed by the cyclone on October 20. Arabian, Harrar, Liberian, and Zanzibarian coffee trees all made excellent growth this year. The Arabian variety, influenced by the heavy rainfall of January, flowered profusely in February, but, owing to lack of rain in March, failed to set many berries. The Liberian and Zanzibarian varieties, however, both produced abundant crops. Single examples of three rather distinct types of Liberian coffee have been grown here for many years. A quantity of seedlings of each variety have been raised during the past summer, with the intention of increasing the number, in a small experimental plat. The Criollo types of Cacao, or chocolate, are the only varieties grown here, and as they were all raised from seed, some trees are more fruitful than others. Seeds were collected from the most prolific, large-fruited variants last winter, and the progeny of these selected parents have been set out in a small plat in the Old Garden, where some shade can be afforded them. Allspice, camphor, cassia, cinnamon, and various other similar economic trees have been under cultivation here for many years with excellent results, and they have all continued to show satisfactory results throughout the past year. Castilloa elastica, Ficus elastica, Funtumia elastica, Hevea brasiliensis,

Manihot

glaziovii, and other rubber-producing species of trees and vines, long under cultivation here, have all been successful from an agronomic standpoint. The trees have flowered freely and produced fertile seed in abundance. With the exception of Ficus elastica they have also produced voluntary progeny from self-sown seeds in greater or less quantity, the Castilloa proving most proliferous in this respect. The small number of trees of any one variety, however, was insufficient to enable any accurate attempt at statistics regarding the comparative caoutchouc productivity or its quality under Cuban growing conditions. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

Rainfall. Climatic conditions have, as a whole, been generally favorable to the promotion of normal plant growth. The dry season, which usually occurs between early November and the middle of April, is not conducive to active growth, and some of the foreign species, native to countries where the winter rainfall is heavier or the dry season less prolonged, demand an extra supply of water during those months. Danger of suffering from our winter drought in such species can, however, often be obviated by planting on the lower, well-drained soils near the Garden stream. Unfortunately, a large area of the Garden land is shallow, with rock or rottenstone subsoil which dries out rapidly, and some care has been exercised, when planting, to select species most suitable for the drier areas and thus avoid artificial watering as much as possible. The January rainfall was the heaviest ever recorded here for that month, and the heavier showers fell opportunely: 2.26 inches fell on the 10th, which thor-

HARVARD GARDENS IN CUBA

91

oughly saturated the ground; and penetrating showers occurred on the 30th and 31st which proved of inestimable value to active growing stock, especially to cane and other soft-wooded plants. Showers were more frequent than usual during February and aided in sustaining plant growth well into March. March and April were unusually dry, and vegetation, which up to that period had remained green and luxuriant, became rather seared in appearance and the ground was parched down into the subsoil. This situation was greatly relieved by seven good showers during May and three heavy precipitations of 1.70, 1.17, and 1.56 inches respectively, on the 17th, 21st, and 24th of June, which brought plant growth back to normal activity. July and August are usually two of our hottest months and consequently sap action at that season is rapid. Not infrequently, the midsummer growth is seriously impeded or stunted, however, through lack of showers copious enough to penetrate below the ground surface. This year, showers have been sufficiently abundant and heavy to obviate any ill consequences, and growth was rapid and healthy. RAIN DISTRIBUTION IN INCHES Jan.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Totals

Mar.

Feb.

0.30

Apr. •

·

·

•

·

•

* .

.

...

June

July

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

,, ,

0.61 0.10 0.80

0.24 0.02

0.06

0.07 0.54

0.20

0.40 0.46

0.20

0.33 0.07

May • ·

·

0.01 0.13 0.13 0.08 2.27

0.37 » ·

0.56 0.38 0.48

·

• . • .

0.27 •

·

• ·

·

. .· 0.64 •

.

•

·

•

· .

. .·

0.18 0.05 t

1.60 3.95

1.78

·

• •

·

0.02

...

·

• ·

• ·

.,, 0.50

·

0.20

.

.

0.13

1.60

0.46 0.93 1.03 0.50 » . «

• .

·

• ·

.

4.36

0.20 0.02 0.48 0.69 0.08 0.16 0.16 1.70 0.73 0.01 1.17 0.19 0.84 1.56 0.05 0.43 • ·

·

8.47

0.26 0.41 0.02 0.09 0.08 0.25 0.44 0.66 0.51 0.13 • · ·

0.04

0.16 0.04

0.90 0.02 1.80 0.75 0.03 0.22 1.04 0.03

0.05 0.01 0.41 0.38 0.84 0.28

0.25 1.17 0.40 0.32 0.08 0.12 1.60

1.93 0.85 1.06

0.62 0.58 0.19

0.04 »

• ·

0.40 0.50 0.13 0.49 0.27 0.21

*

·

2.61 0.04 . *.

0.10 1.42 0.03

7.38

8.26

Deo.

0.15 0.55 0.37 •

·

.

0.06 0.06 0.33 0.23 • .

1.07 3.07

£ Μ «ί PH

·

0.06 Ο

&

. ·. 0.36

0.17

.. ·

0.08 0.29 0.08 « » »

7.84

« . *

8.22

3.86

55.85

92

GREY'S REPORT

Rain during September and October was also ample to produce good normal growth development, and the November rainfall has been exceeded on only five previous occasions. During December we had no rain, a condition previously unprecedented for that month, with indications of a dry winter. The subsoil still retains some moisture, and no ill effects due to drought are yet discernible on vegetation, but a penetrating shower is badly needed to sustain present growth conditions. Brooks and streams are still carrying a moderate supply of water. The total rainfall for 1926 was 55.91 inches, which is rather above normal at Limones. A table of rain distribution for the year appears on page 91. Humidity. — The atmospheric humidity has usually been adequate for the assistance of normal plant growth, in which respect it has shown little deviation from that of previous years. Morning fogs during the winter season were occasional, and the dewfall, which is always heavy in bright weather, especially in the dry season, has been on a par with that of past years. The heavy dewfall and occasional fogs prevalent in Cuba during the winter are of inestimable value in checking evaporation and refreshing plant foliage, and of assistance in keeping down red spider, thrips, and similar insects, which disfigure the epidermis of foliage and fruit. Temperature. — There have been no special extremes in the temperature throughout the year. The winter weather was warmer and more uniform than usual. The summer temperature was never excessive, and the sun-heat on an average was less intense, as cloudy weather was frequent during the hottest portion of the day and the midday heat was commonly moderated by a cool breeze. The table on the opposite page shows the daily extremes in temperature (Fahrenheit) for the year 1926. Wind. — The windpoint has shown very little general deviation from its usual course. Drying winds, however, were less frequent throughout the winter season, and during the summer, or wet season, a cool breeze was more prevalent than usual, which was instrumental in modifying the otherwise distressing effect of the intense noonday heat. High destructive winds were exceptional, and practically restricted to the hurricane which passed over western Cuba on October 20 in a course from southeast to northwest. The wind here on that date was severe and caused considerable damage to garden stock. The velocity of the more severe intermittent gales on that date exceeded anything witnessed here since the cyclone of June 3,1911, and the barometric pressure of 29.56 inches is the lowest ever recorded at the Gardens. Heavy winds started at midnight on the 19th, increasing in volume until 4 P.M. on the 20th, and gradually abated toward midnight. During the day, 3.07 inches of rain fell, of which 1.21 inches was precipitated in twenty minutes at noon. Seventeen large trees and shrubs were completely uprooted; the collection of banana plants was a broken, twisted mass; large limbs were snapped off, and water lilies and shrubs along the waterway were washed out, many being destroyed. The citrus fruit crop was ruined.

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