1062 



Garcinia mangostana L. (Clusiaceae . ) 43481. Seeds 

 of Mangosteen from Peradenlya, Ceylon. Presented by 

 Mr. C. Drieberg, Secretary, Ceylon Agricultural So- 

 ciety. "A moderate-sized conical tree, with large 

 leathery leaves, indigenous to Malaya. Its globular 

 purplish brown fruit, about the size of an apple, is 

 famed as one of the most delicious fruits of the 

 tropics, some writers describing it as 'perhaps the 

 most luscious fruit in the world, partaking of the 

 flavor of the strawberry and the grape.' The delicate 

 white juicy pulp surrounding and adhering to the seed 

 is the part eaten. In striking contrast to it is the 

 dense, thick, reddish rind, containing tannic acid 

 and a dye. The fruit is in season in the low country 

 of Ceylon from April to June , and at higher elevations 

 from June to August or September. Here it is usually 

 sold in the markets, or hawked about, at 75 cents 

 (Ceylonese) to 1 rupee per dozen; (24 to 32 cents U.S. 

 gold.) It is always charged for on hotel menus as an 

 extra. The tree is of very slow growth, and does not 

 usually come into bearing till about nine or ten 

 years old. The essential conditions for it are a hot, 

 moist climate, and deep, rich well-drained soil. It 

 thrives up to 1500 feet elevation in the moist region, 

 but may also be grown in moderately dry districts 

 with irrigation. Propagation is usually by seed, but 

 may also be effected by gootee or layering. Sow seeds 

 in pots under cover. The plants are of very slow 

 growth, taking about two years to become large enough 

 for planting out, being then only about 12 inches 

 high." (Macmillan, Handbook of Tropical Gardening & 

 Planting, p. 164 & 165. ) 



^ Ilex paraguariensis St. Hilaire. (Aquif oliaceae . ) 

 43456. Seeds of Yerba de mate from Argentina. Collected 

 by Mr. H. M. Curran. A small, bushy, evergreen tree 

 with serrate alternate leaves, native of Brazil and 

 Paraguay and the neighboring countries. The leaves 

 are roasted and ground to make the Paraguay-tea of 

 commerce, which is said to possess the good properties 

 of tea and coffee without their after-effects. In the 

 hospitals of Paris it is used as a stimulant. The 

 Yerba groves are located in remote regions, and grow 

 best on high land at an elevation of 1,000 to 2,000 



feet, in soft alluvial soil or soil rich in humus. 



The seed is very difficult to germinate, and without 



treatment requires a year before it will come 



up. An opinion prevails that these seeds will ger- 



