117 



to the depth of an inch. Layers root freely if put down in the autumn 

 or spring, and cuttings of ripened wood of the current season will strike 

 in sand, if protected from the weather. 



LIMONIA, 



This is a genus of evergreen shrubs or small trees belonging to-the 

 order Aurantaceae, and closely allied to the Lemon and Lime. The 'most 

 prominent species is Limonia acidissima, a shrub growing from six to 

 ten feet high, indigenous to India, where it is found up to an elevation 

 of 4000 feet. It has small, white, and very fragrant flowers and 

 yellowish-red globular fruit about the size of a Cherry. The pulp 'is 

 flesh-coloured and intensely acid. It is used in its native regions in 

 a fresh state owing to its supposed medicinal qualities. The fruit is 

 also considered to be an excellent tonic when dried, and to be useful 

 in cases of fever and small-pox. The other species do not differ 

 materially except in the case of Limonia scandens, which is a climbing 

 species from China. All the species of Limonia are fairly hardy, and 

 may be grown successfully in all but the coldest districts in 

 Australasia, and they will thrive in any fairly good soil. Propagation 

 is easily effected by seeds, which should be covered an inch deep, or 

 layers. Cuttings will also root freely in sand if protected from the 

 weather. 



LI-TCHI. 



HISTORY AND USES. 



Li-tchi, or Leechee as it is often written, is the Chinese name for 

 the fruit of Nephelium Li-tchi (Dimocarpus Li-tchi, Euphoria Li-tchi), an 

 evergreen medium-sized tree belonging to the order Sapindacea3. It 

 is a native of Southern China, Cochin China, and the Philippine 

 Islands, and with the Chinese is considered to be one of their most 

 useful fruits. The fruit is nearly round, from an inch and a-half to 

 two inches in diameter, and has a tough, brittle, chocolate brown 

 rind, or skin, which is covered by wart-like protuberances. The fruit 

 is borne in large bunches, and each contains a considerable number. 

 When ripe the fruit is filled with a white and nearly transparent 

 jelly-like pulp, in which lies a rather large, shining, brown seed. In 

 flavour the fruit is sweet, pleasant, and refreshing when used fresh, 

 and is popular with the Chinese. It is also extensively used in a 

 dried state by the Chinese, and large quantities in this form are 

 exported to Europe, where it is highly appreciated. The fruit is. 

 dried whole in the same way as small Plums, and Avhen the process 

 is complete it is black and very similar in appearance to Prunes. 



CULTIVATION AND PROPAGATION. 

 The Li-tchi may be cultivated successfully in regions ranging from 



