222 



and edible seed. Dr. Palmer states that the tree is also called "story 

 tree/' because the horizontal branches are given oft' in whorls or 

 "stories." These trees seem to be frequent in the towns of western 

 Mexico and furnish one of the few shade trees there, growing to the 

 height of 10.5 to 12 meters (36 to 40 feet). It is now frequently met 

 with in Guatemala and south Florida. The tree is native of tropical 

 Asia. 



SAPOTACEAE. 

 Aclnas sapotaL. Zapote ciiico. 



This is a common tree in cultivation. Some large trees were seen at 

 Acaponeta, perhaps 10 to 50 feet high. The fruit is nearly orbicular 

 in outline, 2.5 to 3.75 cm. (1 to 1| inches) in diameter, with a rough, 

 brownish skin. It is sold in the markets in June and July. The 

 annual crop is valued at $,'58,000. 



This is said to be the tree which produces most of the "chicle," a 

 gum extensively imported into the United States, and used in the 

 manufacture of chewing gum, which is almost wholly composed of it. 

 It is said that Vitellaria mammosa (L.) Radlk. as well as other species 

 of the genus Vitellaria produce chicle, and that the best gum for 

 "masticatory" purposes is that obtained from V. mammosa. 



According to Treasury reports for 1897, 5,315,902 pounds of this gum, 

 valued at $1,091,892, was imported into the United States in the year 

 1890-97. The crop Cor 1897-98 is estimated at only 2,000,000 pounds. 

 Under the Wilson bill the gum was admitted free of duty but now 

 there is a duty of 10 cents per pound. 



The following tables will show the quantities of chicle gum received 

 at New York in 1897 and 1898 from several ports: 



Comparison of monthly and annual receipts of chicle gum at Nexo York, months of Jan- 

 uary, 1S97 and 1898, and years of 189? and 1898. 



Tuipan... 

 Vera Cruz 

 Campecho 

 Laguna . . . 

 Progreso. 



Belize 



Various 



Total 



Or pounds 



Jan., 1898. , Jan., 1897 



Hall's. 



">4J 



II 



259 

 998 

 25fl 



7!l 



Hales: 

 887 

 309 

 150 



7<I7 



1, 228 



■Hid 



15 



Sept. 1,1897, Sept. 1,1896, 



to to 



Sept. 1, 1898. Sept. 1, I8il7. 



Pounds. 



Pounds. 



304, 000 



552, 000 



29, 000 



114,000 



40, 000 



117,000 



114, 000 



183,000 



:i32, 000 



562, 000 



76, 000 



174, 000 



39, 000 



24, 000 



2,147 

 335, 000 



3, 876 

 0(18, 000 



934, 000 



1,090,000 



Comparison of slock on hand for tiro years. 



February 1, 1898: 

 Froe _ 



Pounds. 



In bond 



February 1,1897. 



530, 000 



397, 000 

 880, 000 



