14.5 



shades, and the surface is covered with small tubercles. The centre 

 (if the fruit consists of a firm and somewhat dry pulp, but this 

 becomes softer and more palatable as it approaches the outer covering', 

 the flavour being- somewhat similar to a Strawberry. The pulp, 

 however, is somewhat fibrous, and contains many seeds. The fruit is 

 greatly esteemed by the natives of West Africa, and hence its 

 common name. Being a native of tropical Africa, the Negro Peach 



can only be grown, successfully in the warmer regions of Australia 



It thrives best in a rich open soil, but may be grown successfully in 

 any fairly good ground. Plants are easily obtained from seeds, 

 which should be covered half-an-inch deep. Propagation is also 

 readily effected by layers, and cuttings from ripened wood of the 

 current season's growth will root in sand if protected from the 

 weather. 



OAK CHESTNUT. 



This is the vernacular name for various species of Castanopsis, a 

 genus closely allied to the Sweet Chestnut, and belonging to the 

 order Amentacese. They are all tall, handsome, robust trees, and 

 the family is represented by Chinese, Calif ornian, and Indian species. 

 The nuts are smaller than Chestnuts and have a pleasant flavour. 

 The Calif ornian Oak Chestnut, or Chinquapin as it is commonly 

 called, is Castanopms chrysophylla, a fine lofty tree growing, under 

 favourable conditions, to a height of over a hundred feet, but in very 

 poor soils growth is often much smaller. The nuts are similar in size 

 and shape to those of the Hazel, but somewhat more pointed, and the 

 shell is hard. They have a sweet pleasant flavour. This species is 

 indigenous to Western America from Oregon to Monteroy, and grows 

 in mountain regions up to an elevation of six thousand feet. It 

 yields excellent timber, which is used to some extent by joiners, 

 wheelrights, aud other tradesmen. The Chinese Oak Chestnut is 

 Castanopsis jucnnda, a robust species with pleasantly flavoured nuts. 

 Castanopsis ar gen tea, a handsome tall species indigenous to mountain 

 regions in India, yields pleasantly flavoured nuts. The same may be 

 said of Castanopsis Indica, another Indian mountain species. Other 

 species of Castanopsis are also worthy of attention. All the species 

 yield serviceable timber as well as edible nuts, and being also 

 handsome ornamental trees they may be cultivated with advantage. 

 They will thrive in most parts of Australasia, the exceptions being 

 'tropical or arid interior regions. Oak Chestnuts will adapt them- 

 selves to a variety of soils, but, as a matter of course, will thrive best 

 and attain the largest size in deep rich land. Propagation is effected 

 by seeds, which should be planted an inch and a-half deep. 



OLIVE. 



HISTORY. 



The Olive belongs to a familv that embraces a large number of 



" 2i 



