278 FRUITS. 



northward first ripens, and brings its fruit 

 to perfection in any quantity. 



6. " Where the apple begins to produce eatable 

 fruit with little attention, — a transition from 

 the difficulty of obtaining that fruit in India, 

 to the ease and perfection with which it is 

 cultivated in Khorassan. 



7. " Where that remarkable family of plants, the 

 balsam trees, first begins, from the equator 

 northwards, to yield a copious supply of 

 gum resin, useful in the arts and in medi- 

 cine. 



8. " Where the pomegranate is capable of bear- 

 ing a fine and delicious fruit. 



9. '' And yet the mango does not fall off in 

 excellence. 



10. " Where in the heat of summer tropical 

 grains and fruits are cultivated, while in the 

 cold and bracing winter extra-tropical and 

 European grains, pulse, and vegetables, may 

 be grown with no perceptible deterioration. 



11. "Where the indigenous vegetation is one- 

 third Arabian and Egyptian and two-thirds 

 Indian." 



The above extracts are from the report of a 

 very able officer, but I confess that his ojjinion 



