227 



to the Bread Fruit, and use it when baked, boiled, and in various 

 other ways. It is considered to be wholesome and palatable. The 

 fruits are produced in succession for eight or nine months in the year. 

 Besides its value as a food plant the Bread Fruit is serviceable to the 

 South Sea Islanders in various other ways. The inner bark is 

 converted into a coarse kind of cloth, and the light yellow wood is 

 utilised for various purposes. A tenacious gum or caoutchouc is 

 obtained from the milky juice of the tree. 



The earliest account of the Bread Fruit was given by Captain - 

 Dampier, who voyaged through the South Sea Islands over three 

 hundred years ago. His description of the tree was a very glowing 

 one. The scientific men who accompanied Captain Cook in his 

 voyages had a very high opinion as to its value, and in his official 

 report, Dr. Solander the botanist, stated it to be " the most useful 

 vegetable in the world." These 

 representations induced the 

 British Government to take 

 steps for the introduction of the 

 Bread Fruit to the West Indian 

 Colonies. With this object in 

 view, a vessel called the Bounty, 

 was fitted out expressly and 

 placed under the command of 

 Captain Bligh. The object 

 however was not attained then, 

 owing to a mutiny among the 

 crew, and seizure of the vessel 



by the malcontents, which are Bread Fruit> 



matters of history. A few years 

 afterwards, however the object was successfully accomplished by a 

 vessel under the command of the same officer. 



A tree called Treculia africana, belonging to the same natural order, 

 yields what is known as the African Bread Fruit. It is an evergreen, 

 attaining a height of from twenty to thirty feet. The fruit is about 

 twelve inches in diameter, but, unlike the ordinary Bread Fruit, the 

 only portion used is the nuts or seeds. These seeds, which are 

 numerous, are ground into meal and used as food by the natives of 

 tropical West Africa, where the tree is indigenous. 



CULTIVATION AND PROPAGATION. 



The Bread Fruit can only be successfully cultivated in the tropical 

 or sub-tropical regions of Australia. In congenial localities it is a 

 serviceable fruit, and is also worthy of attention as an ornamental 

 tree. There are several varieties that are known, and their fruit 

 varies somewhat in size, and also in the period of ripening. By 

 carefully selecting the kinds, a supply of fruit may be obtained 

 throughout the year. A rich, deep, and moderately moist soil is re- 

 quired by the Bread Fruit. Shelter is also essential to the well- 

 being of the trees. Propagation is easily effected by suckers, which 



