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found more profitable to revert to picking. The work of picking is, in 

 America, done principally by women and children, at a cost of about two 

 shillings per bushel. 



PROPAGATION. 



Propagation may be effected by seeds, cuttings, or the rooted plants 

 from the trailing stems. Seeds germinate freely if sown in beds as soon 

 as they are ripe, but this mode of increase is slow, and therefore not to 

 be commended. Cuttings root freely, and even small pieces of the sterns 

 that have passed through a chaflcutter, set wide, will grow. This method 

 is commonly practised by American growers. If, however, rooted plants 

 can be obtained readily ; as will always be the case where there are 

 established plantations, they will be better than cuttings. 



VARIETIES 



There are several varieties cultivated by American growers which 

 differ in the size, shape and colour of the fruit, but nbt in other respects. 

 In fact the varieties can only be determined when the plants are 

 fruiting. Size and colour are the principal consideration with growers. 

 Large dark red berries are always more saleable than others The 

 varieties chiefly cultivated in America are as follows. 



Bell. So named from the fruit resembling a bell in shape. 



Bugle. This is a long-fruited variety, and derives its name from a 

 fancied resemblance to the beads known as bugles. 



Cherry. A round-berried variety having the shape and colour of a 

 red Cherry ; hence the name. 



CREAM FRUIT. 



This name is applied to the fruit of Roupellia grata an evergreen 

 shrub indigenous to Western Africa, belonging to the order Apocynaceae. 

 Occasionally the plant will assume a climbing habit, but it more 

 commonly retains its shrubby form. The flowers are white with a pink 

 tint, and are freely produced. The fruit when wounded yields a whitish 

 thick palatable juice, like cream in appearance, hence the common name. 

 The negroes are very partial to this juice, which is generally used by 

 them when it can be obtained. It is considered to be wholesome and 

 excellent for allaying thirst. Being a native of a hot region, the Cream 

 Fruit can only be cultivated with success in the tropical parts of 

 Australia, where it would probably be worth cultivating for its fruit, and 

 also as an ornamental shrub. It requires a moderately rich sandy loamy 

 soil, and must be sheltered from strong winds. Propagation may be 

 readily effected by layers, and ripened cuttings of the current season's 

 growth will strike in sand. 



