FRUITS-SPECIES AND VARIETIES. 



ABOH. 

 HISTORY. 



This fruit is obtained from two species of Vahea, florida and Owariensis 

 (formerly known as Landolphia), a genus belonging to the natural order 

 Apocynacese or Dogbane family. They are strong-growing, climbing 

 plants, indigenous to Western Africa, and adapt themselves to rather a 

 wide range of elevation, being found on the high lands up to 2500 feet 

 above the sea. The fruits are the size of small oranges or less, and have 

 a sweet but slightly acid pulp, which is greatly relished by the natives. 

 They are valuable as ornamental plants, as they produce abundantly, 

 and in succession, large white jessamine-scented flowers. The species 

 named, and others, also yield caoutchouc in great abundance, and are an 

 important source of supply for this valuable material. Aboh is the 

 native African name. 



The order Apocynacese, like Solanacese, is remarkable for embracing a 

 number of highly poisonous plants and others possessing wholesome 

 properties. It includes the Oleander (Nerium), which is a deadly 

 poison. The Periwinkle (Vinca) is astringent and acrid, and others 

 have similar properties. One of the most deadly plants of the order is 

 Tanghinia venenata (Cerbera Tanghin), the famous Ordeal Tree of 

 Madagascar, formerly used as a supposed test of the guilt or otherwise 

 of those charged with certain crimes. On the other hand, another plant 

 belonging to the family, Taberncvmontana utilis, the Cow or Milk Tree of 

 the West Indies, yields a wholesome juice, which is largely used as milk 

 in Demerara and other places. 



CULTIVATION AND PROPAGATION. 



Being natives of Western Africa, the plants that yield the Aboh 

 fruit will only thrive in the warmer regions of Australia. The fruit is 

 almost unknown in this part of the world, but might probably be found 

 worth cultivating in a congenial climate. As the plants are strong 

 feeders a rich deep soil is essential. When not naturally rich manure 

 should be used freely in preparing the land. Being climbers the plants 

 will require trellises or other suitable supports, and they are admirably 

 adapted for covering fences and outbuildings in tropical or semi-tropical 

 regions. Propagation is readily effected by seeds, which should be sown 

 while fresh, covering them to the depth of half-an-inch. When the 



