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used to some extent in the West Indies, both fresh and preserved. 

 The young leaves are also turned to account in making salads. The 

 Barbadoes Gooseberry is scarcely worth cultivating for its fruit, as 

 superior kinds are obtainable from other plants. As, however, it is a 

 drought-resisting plant, it may prove useful in the arid desert regions 

 of Australia. Being a native of a warm climate, this plant will only 

 flourish in tropical or sub-tropical regions. Propagation is affected 

 readily by cuttings and seeds. The name Barbadoes Gooseberry is 

 sometimes applied to Physalis pubescens, a plant closely allied to the 

 Cape Gooseberry, and described under that heading. 



BHEL FRUIT 



HISTORY AND USES. 



Bhel, or Bael, is the Hindustani name for the fruit of sEgle 

 marmelos, a large evergreen shrub belonging to the natural order 

 Aurantacege or the Orange family. It is indigenous to India and 

 other tropical regions in Asia. The flowers are red and white, very 

 fragrant, and will yield a choice perfume. The fruit is similar in 

 size and shape to an orange, but has a hard rind. It contains from 

 ten to fifteen cells, which are filled with a transparent glutinous pulp 

 that has a fragrant and delicious flavour. So tenacious is this 

 substance that it may be drawn out into fine threads. Medicinally 

 the fruit is considered to be a valuable aperient, and when dried is 

 used as an astringent. From the rind a useful perfume is extracted. 

 The English name for the fruit is Bengal Quince. 



CULTIVATION AND PROPAGATION. 



As this fruit is a native of tropical regions, it will only thrive in 

 those parts of Australia where the conditions are similar. It may be 

 grown successfully in many parts of Queensland, Port Darwin, and 

 other regions within or near the tropics. In congenial localities this 

 excellent fruit may be cultivated with advantage, as it is generally 

 appreciated by those that are acquainted with it. This plant will 

 thrive in any fairly good soil, and in cultivation requires similar 

 treatment to an Orange tree. Propagation is effected by seeds, 

 layers, and cuttings of the ripened wood of the past season's growth. 



BILBERRY. 



HISTORY AND USES. 



The British Bilberry, Bleaberry, or Whortleberry (as it is as often 

 called) is known botanically as Vaccinium mi/rtillus, and belongs to 

 the natural order Vaccinaceas. It is closely allied to the Cranberry, 

 and is indigenous to the greater part of Europe, Northern Asia, and 

 North America. The plant is a deciduous erect shrub, which attains 

 the height of from three to five feet, and its fruit is similar in size to 

 black Currants, but have a bluish tint, and are covered with a grey 



