242 introduction to plant geography [chap. 



Forestry and Other Woody ' Crops ' 



The practices of forestry, being largely directed towards more 

 effective utilization of the forested regions of the world, are to a 

 large degree concerned with cropping. Especially when artificial 

 planting of trees or shrubs is involved — often with marked effect 

 on their natural ranges, and sometimes with the maintenance of 

 special strains — do the results demand some consideration here. 

 Woody plants as a whole greatly extend the category of fruits (No. 6) 

 introduced above, add one of beverages, and above all contribute 

 their own vast one of timbers and cognate products with which we 

 can deal only in brief outline. 



Trees and other woody plants that are extensively cultivated for 

 edible fruits of importance to mankind include the Coconut {Cocos 

 nucifera), Breadfruit {Artocarpus altilis), Olive {Olea europaea), Date 

 Palm {Phoenix dactylifera), Fig {Fiats carica), Citrus fruits {Citrus 

 species), Grape {Vitis vinifera), Currants and Gooseberries {Ribes 

 species). Mango {Mangifera indica). Papaya {Carica papaya), Plum 

 {Primus domestica and other species). Peach {Prunus persica), Apple 

 {Pyrus mains), and Pear {Pyrus communis). The first three are 

 scarcely fruits in the lay sense. 



The Coconut is sometimes claimed to be the most important or 

 at all events thoroughly exploited of cultivated plants, being used 

 also as a source of timber, thatch, fibre, and many other things — 

 especially by primitive peoples, who may be almost wholly dependent 

 upon it and use all parts. A native of southeastern Asia, where 

 the wild trees are still cropped, it has been carried to practically all 

 tropical and subtropical shores, being very extensively planted. 

 Another important Palm is the Date, which is widely cultivated in 

 the tropics and subtropics where it can be grown with less water 

 than any other crop. It is one of the oldest of crops and is supposed 

 to have originated in southwestern Asia, though it is unknown in 

 the wild state. The Breadfruit, a native of Malaya that is now 

 widespread in the tropics, having been cultivated from early times, 

 is another very important food fruit (in the botanical sense). A 

 Man is said to be able to live throughout the year on the products of 

 a single tree. Most of the remaining fruits mentioned are attractive 

 and familiar cultivates that have long been widespread in the climatic 

 belts which they favour, ranging from the cool-temperate Currants 

 and Apples to the tropical Mango and Papaya. Here we might add 

 the Mangosteen {Garcinia mangostana), which is regarded by some 

 as the world's most delectable fruit. 



