105 



more famous by the mutiny of the Bounty in the South Seas. The 

 botanic name was given in honour of Captain Bligh, Akee is 

 the native African name. It forms a handsome tree, with large, 

 broad, shining leaves, and attains a height of thirty feet or more. 

 The flowers are white, pro- 

 duced in racemes from the 

 axils of the leaves, and as ' 



they are very fragrant, can 

 be utilised for perfumery. 

 The fruit is as lavge ' 

 goose egg, and or a reddish 

 orange colour. It contains 

 a yellowish pulpy flesh, in 

 which are embedded three 

 black seeds. The edible por- 

 tion of the fruit has a plea- 

 sant sub-acid flavour, and in 

 the West Indies it is very 

 popular. It is, however, 

 considered to be most desir- 

 able when cooked. 



Akee. 



CULTIVATION AND PROPAGATION. 



As the Akee is a tropical fruit it can only be successfully cultivated 

 in the warmer parts of Australia. It is, however, said to be more 

 hardy than many other tropical fruits, and to be even able to withstand 

 slight frosts. In sheltered places on the eastern coast of Australia 

 north of the Clarence River, this tree should thrive well, and it ought to 

 be at home in the Northern Territory and any of the sub-tropic regions. 

 It will thrive in any ordinary good soil, but does best in a rich open 

 sandy loam. Whenever the climate is congenial the tree is worthy of 

 attention, owing to its handsome foliage and flowers, as an ornamental 

 plant, independent of its value as a fruit. Propagation may be effected 

 by seeds, layers or cuttings. Seeds should be sown soon after the fruit 

 is ripe, covering them an inch in depth. Layering may be done at any 

 time of the year, but the most favourable periods are early in the 

 spring, and at the beginning of autumn. Cuttings of the young 

 shoots, when the wood is about half ripe, with the leaves left on, will 

 strike freely in a frame or under a hand glass. They should be inserted 

 about two inches deep in light rich soil or sand. 



ALMOND. 

 HISTORY. 



The Almond will thrive in many parts of Australasia, but yields larger 

 and more certain crops in the medium warm districts as a rule. It is, 

 however, very unreliable in localities that are subject to late spring frosts. 

 Botanically the Almond is known as Prunus Amygdalus (Amygdalus 

 eommunis of some botanists), and it belongs to the natural order 



