114 



leaflet, and b)'' means of a sharp pull or jerk a portion of the fibre is 

 extracted. The leaves mixst be neither too young nor too old. Some 

 of the boys have attained to great proficiency in the art of extracting 

 the fibre, but the process is naturally very slow and very tedious. It 

 is used principally for fishing lines and whip-lashes." 



The above palm differs from that known by the common name of 

 " Gri-gri" — which botanically is Martinezia CaryotcpfoUa — but from 

 this palm also, a fibre is produced which is said to be even stronger 

 than that produced by the " Gru-gru." 



Both these palms produce seeds which contain a large proportion 

 of a sweet palatable oil, which in St. Vincent is extracted and used 

 for cooking purposes. Children are very fond of cracking the nuts 

 and removing the kernels which are in both palms sweet and whole- 

 some to eat, though rather hard for all but the teeth of youth. 



The wood obtained from the outside of the stem is very hard, 

 heavy and durable. It is made into walking sticks, and is sometimes 

 used for mouldings, its dark colour forming a fine set off to a panel of 

 pine. The wood possesses the characteristic of never bending, warp- 

 ing or curling longitudinally, and it would probably be extremely 

 useful, properly made up, for first-class billiard cues. The only 

 objection being its Aveight, a difficulty which would probably be over- 

 come by the manufacturer. 



166.-CIRCULAR NOTES. 



No. 26. — This number was issued so as to enable planters to avail 

 themselves of the opportunity of witnessing our annual course of 

 grafting, and to give them an opportunity of seeing the crops pro- 

 duced by good culture on the Garden coffee trees. A goodly number 

 of gentlemen interested in agricultural pursuits availed themselves of 

 the opportunity and have expressed to us their appreciation of the 

 privilege which was afforded them. 



Botanical Depautment, Teikidad. — Circular Note, No. 26. 



Grafting the Mango. — Culture and Pruning of the Coffee Tree. 



Persons interested in learning the process of grafting the Mango 

 can see the operation being carried on at the Royal Botanic Gardens 

 on Tuesday, "Wednesday and Thursday of each week during the 

 month of August, 1895, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. 



