764 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



Desciiiption of Plant. 



Fappca capensis is a difjpcious shi'iib or a tree up to 10-'>() feet 

 liigli. Stem and branches usually asb-coloured, striate, and covered 

 with scars of old branches or leaves. Branches spreading, forming* an 

 almost flat symmetrical crown. Leaves simple, alternate, thick, 

 sbortly petioled, crowded at the ends of the branches, 1-3 inches 

 long-, about % inch wide, oblong or obovate, rounded at the apex, 

 tapering to the base, smooth, witli a prominent midrib, lighter on the 

 under surface, with entire revolute margins which are sometimes 

 toothed in coppice shoots. Male flowers panicled, small. Female 

 ficAoers in 5-20 flowered racemes. Fruit globose, about the size of a 

 small cherry, covered with fine brown liairs. Seeds brown, spherical, 

 shining. 



Fappea capensis S. occurs abundantly in certain parts of the 

 Eastern Province, and other species are found in the Transvaal, 

 Rhodesia, and Namaqualand. 



The species is commonly known as the Wilde Pruim, Wild 

 Amandel, Berg Pruim, Kambessie, and Oliepetten. The native name 

 is Ilitze (meaning a stone), and in Ehodesia is called The Indaba 

 Tree. 



The fruits of this tree were known to the early colonists as 

 having a savoury flavour, and that a vinous beverage could be pro- 

 duced from them. The ivernel was known to possess an oil which was 

 somewhat purgative. 



Mr. Harvey states that while large quantities of fruits are pro- 

 duced each year they are difficidt to collect, as wild animals and birds 

 (also stock) are very fond of them, and they are soon eaten after 

 dropping from the trees. 



The above report from the Imperial Institute is sufficiently 

 encouraging- to pay more attention to this source of oil, aud any one 

 interested in this may apply to the Chief, Division of Botany, Pre- 

 toria, for any further information received by the Division. 



The Poor White Problem. 



Dr. Dunstan, the Commissioner of Mentally Disordered and 

 Defective Pei'sons, states in his report* of November, 1919, that the 

 l)rimary cause of i)overty is the inherent incapacity as a result of 

 feeble-mindedness to compete on equal terms with normal individuals. 

 " The psycliological side of the poor white i)roblem," he states, 

 " re({uires quite as much attention and investigation as any other." 

 He points out that no scheme for solving problems of poverty can 

 succeed until the feeble-minded liave been weeded out and treated 

 separately from the normal unfortunate poor who can make good. 

 " Settlement schemes, labour colonies, and similar undertakings will 

 succeed if the feeble-minded are eliminated, but not otherwise, for 

 these unfortunates so far reduce tlie value of the result as to make 

 the scheme a failure, or at least seriously impair its chance of success." 



* Report of the Commissioner of Mentally Disordered and Defective Persons for the 

 Union of South Africa. U.G. No. 31— '20. Price 4s. 



