418 [ THE PAPAW-TREE OR MELON TREE. 



The tree being a denizen of the tropics, should 

 suffer no check in its growth, but in these Islands the 

 cold of winter is often too much for it. The growth of 

 the tree is completely checked towards the close of 

 November, and it gradually loses most of its foliage and 

 the vital processes are so much interfered with that it is 

 not resumed until the close of May or later. Unless it 

 is planted in a very sheltered situation and has some 

 protection in winter, the tree generally succumbs after a 

 few years of checkered existence, that is whenever the 

 winter cold happens to be somewhat severer than usual. 



The papaw-tree is easily propagated by seed which 

 is sown in March or April, in a shallow pot or pan, and 

 the seedlings may be potted off singly in September, or 

 may be left over in a sheltered place or better under 

 glass, to be potted off in the following May. Potted plants 

 should be kept rather dry, as any excess of moisture will 

 cause them to rot off In about two years they may be 

 transplanted to their final destination, in May or June, in 

 a soil which has been deeply tilled and manured, and 

 must be watered regularly and liberally throughout the 

 summer. By the end of the 3rd year, at the close of 

 autumn, the young trees usually begin to flower, or they 

 may do so in the following spring. One male tree is 

 considered sufficient for 10 or more female trees, but of 

 course seedlings produce male and female trees in about 

 equal proportion. However, the papaw-tree can be pro- 

 pagated by cuttings, making use of the side shoots which 

 are freely produced whenever the terminal shoot is injured 

 or destroyed. These cuttings are made in summer, the 

 shoots being cut off cleanly close to the stem, the 

 wound allowed to dry for a few hours in order to prevent 

 rotting, a few of the lower leaves are cut off, and the 

 cuttings are planted in sand under a glass bell, and 

 watered sparingly until they are well rooted. In this 

 way female trees of desirable varieties can be propagated. 



