216 



CULTIVATION AND P 



Tlie Pa paw and its kindred species can only be grown successfully 

 in regions that are warm and free from frost. A rich soil, warmth, 

 and shelter are essentials, as also moisture. In congenial localities 

 this fruit is well worthy of attention. In making a plantation the 

 distance apart should be not less than twelve feet, and care must be 

 taken that there is a fair proportion of male plants, say one in ten. 

 But little further care is necessary except keeping- down weeds while 

 the plants are small. The trees are not long* lived, and a plantation 

 will only last a^few years. 



Propagation is easily effected by seeds, which germinate freely. 

 They may be sown at any time, arid should be covered to the depth 

 of an inch and a-half. 



PAPPEA. 



This is a South African evergreen shrub or small tree belonging to 

 the natural order Sapindacea? and known to botanists as t j appea 

 Capensis. In its native regions it is generally known in the English 

 vernacular as the "Wild Plum." The fruit is as large as a medium- 

 sized Cherry, but in appearance is similar- to a Plum. It has a 

 pleasant flavour, and in its native regions is considered to be a useful 

 fruit. A good preserve is made from the fruit, which also yields by 

 pressure a vinous beverage. From the seeds an oil is obtained which 

 is said to have the same properties as castor oil. The Pappea is 

 fairly hardy, arid may be grown successfully in most parts of Austral- 

 asia, excepting tropical and very cold regions. It will also thrive in 

 almost any soil or situation. Propagation is effected by seeds, which 

 should be planted tw r o inches deep, layers put down in the autumn or 

 spring, or cuttings of the ripened shoots of the current season's 

 growth. 



PASSION FRUIT. 



Several species of Passiflora yield edible fruits, though only a few 

 are utilized. These are the Common, Small, or Purple-fruited Passion 

 Fruit, the Grreiiadilla, the Large-fruited, the Water Lemon, and 

 another species known as Decaisne's. The Common Passion Fruit 

 is Passij!or<i edulis, a native of Southern Hra/il, a species with bright- 

 dark evergreen foliage. This species has purple fruit the shape and 

 size of a hen's egg', which is produced in great abundance. The fruit 

 contains a rich succulent pulp, which is agreeably sub-acid arid 

 pleasantly flavoured, and is very cooling and refreshing when taken 

 in hot weather. It is more popular in Australasia than any other- 

 species, and is the well-known Passion Fruit of the shops. The 



