170 . FIPERACEM 



stimulating poultice. With 



colds. Moreover it, is rlinT'c 



imm 



stimulant in cases of bites by venomous reptiles . Strong friction 

 with pepper, onions, and salt is said to make the hair grow again 

 upon the bald patches left by ringworm of the scalp. They 

 notice the use of the unripe fruit, preserved in salt and water 

 as a pickle, by the natives of Malabar. 



Do Gubernatis draws attention to the following passage from 

 the travels of Yincenzo Maria da Santa Caterina (iv., 3) with 

 reference to white pepper being offered by the Hindus to their 



"Da Malavari h tenuto in stima grandissima, 

 eli Gentili d'ordinario I'offrono a 'loro Dei, si per la rarita come 

 per la virtu, salutifera e medicinale, che da quello sperimentano, 

 riportandolo poi alii infermi." For the early history of pepper 

 in Europe, the Pharmacogyajihia may be consulted. 



Cultivation. — Its cultivation is very simple, and is effected by 

 cuttings or suckers put down before the commencement of the 

 rains in June. The soil should be rich, but if too much moisture 

 be allowed to accumulate near the roots, the young plants are 

 apt to rot. In three years the vine begins to bear. They are 

 planted chiefly in hilly districts, but thrive well enough in the 

 low country in the moist climate of Malabar. They are usually 

 planted at the base of trees which have rough or prickly bark, 

 such as the jack, the erythrina, cashewnut, mango-tree, and 

 others of similar description. They will climb about 20 or 30 

 feet, but are purposely kept lower than that. During their 

 growth it is requisite to remove all suckers, and the vine should 

 be pruned, thinned, and kept clean of weeds. After the berries 

 have been gathered, they are dried on mats in the sun, turning 

 from red to black. They must be plucked before they are quite 

 npe, and^ if too early they wiU spoil. White pepper is the 

 same fruit freed from its outer skin, the ripe berries being 

 macerated in water for the purpose. In this latter state they 

 are smaller, of grepsh-white colour, and have a less aromatic or 

 pungent taste. The pepper-vine is very common in the hiUy 

 districts of Travancore. especially in the Cottayam, Meenachel, 

 and thenganacherry districts, where, at an averac-e calcidatlou, 



