980 FRUIT GROWING 



Percentage Composition of the Kernels of the " Pili " Nut. 



Water 



Fat 



Protein (N X 6.25) 



Sucrose 



Reducing sugars 



Starch {b}' difference) 



Crude fibre 



Ash 



761 -The Brazilian Pitanga {Eugenia uniflora L.), an excellent Fruit Tree. — 



SiL^MEL A. D. and 1'opence Wilson, in The Journal of Heredity, Vol. VII, No. 4, 

 pp. 179-185, 2 fig. Washington, D. C, April 1916. 



During their stay in the State of Bahia (Brazil), the writers frequently 

 observed the " pitanga " in the regions occupied by citrus plantations. The 

 " pitanga " cultivated as a tree (sometimes reaching a height of 33 to 39 feet), 

 bush or hedge, yields a fruit resembling the cherry, but deeply lobed and 

 with a much more distinct flavour. 



The " pitanga " is native to Brazil, where it occurs widely. In the 

 States of Rio de Janeiro, Parana, Santa Catharina and Rio Grande do Sul, 

 it occurs wild along streams and on the skirts of the forests. It is also cul- 

 tivated in other States. The Portuguese long since imported it from Brazil 

 to Goa. Outside Brazil its cultivation is very limited. It is met with 

 in the following coimtries and localities : Botanical Garden of Saharanpur 

 (British India), Ceylon, Hawai, Algiers (where it is known as " Ca5^enne 

 cherry" or "square cherry"), Cuba, Florida and California. In the two 

 last countries, where the " pitanga " fruit is known as the " Surinam 

 Cherry ", it is little grown, but thrives wonderfully. The cultivation of 

 the " pitanga " therefore appears to be possible wherever citrus trees 

 thrive, and is capable and deserving of great extension. 



Reproduction of the plant is by seed. The seedlings show much less 

 variation than those of several long cultivated fruit trees. There being 

 several different forms and marked varieties in each tree, the species should 

 be greatly improved by selection. 



The " pitanga " suffers greatly from frosts, but it has withstood tem- 

 peratures of about — • 2.0" to — 2.6° C. Although originating from a moist 

 region, it is resistant to drought and prefers light, sandy, loamy or limestone 

 soils. 



The seeds germinate well if sown fresh. It is advisable to sow them in 

 loose earth in pots inserted deep in a hot bed, replanting when the seedlings 

 are about 4 in. high in pots in a warm bed, and to water frequently during 

 the winter. Plants permanently planted out require no further special care. 



The shortness of the period between flowering and ripening of the fruit 

 should be noted : it is 3 weeks in Brazil, and 5 or 6 weeks in Florida. In 

 Brazil the plants flower in September and yield a small crop in October. 

 They again blossom for the principal crop in December or January. In 



