126 MOZAMBIQUE 



is being increasingly performed by means of 

 internal combustion engines, it becomes a question 

 for the Grovernment to consider whether it cannot 

 adapt its fiscal laws to the altering times, and 

 permit this enormous source of wealth now wasted 

 being utilized for the benefit of the country. The 

 distilled and re-distilled spirit is worth about two 

 shillings per gallon, and a considerable market 

 could no doubt be found for it in South Africa. 

 It is a reasonable estimate that half a gallon 

 of spirit could be obtained from the fruit of one 

 tree, and there being at least five million trees in 

 the district, perhaps ten million, the value of the 

 spirit therefrom would be between a quarter and 

 half a million pounds sterling. 



The tree fruits in December and January, and 

 during these two months the natives imbibe 

 freely of the fermented Juice of the fruit, nearly 

 the whole population becoming intoxicated. 

 This is a source of inconvenience to the employer, 

 but for the natives themselves it may perhaps 

 be as wholesome as taking the waters is with us 

 in Europe, as the fruit is an anti-scorbutic. 

 Cashew-nut also abounds in the Mozambique 

 district. 



