THE PAPA^-TREE OR MELON TREE. ] 419 



A method of propagation by root cuttings has been 

 lately evolved in the Phillippine Islands. Medium-sized 

 roots are selected from a full-grown tree, and cuttings 

 are taken 10 to 15 c.m. in length. The nursery bed is 

 made of sea sand about 6 c.m. deep, into which the 

 cuttings are inserted and kept properly moist by 

 frequent spraying. In about four weeks commences 

 the information of adventitious buds, and the root- 

 cuttings soon develop into vigorous plants. 



Fruits produced in summer mature in autumn, and 

 those produced in autumn mature in the following May 

 or in June, if they survive the effects of cold weather. 

 The tree agrees well with our soils, and prefers the red 

 soils of rather sandy texture. It was first introduced in 

 1865, and a male tree long survived at San Antonio 

 Gardens. The papaw-tree was introduced again by Rev. 

 G. B. Spadaro toward 1898 who brought over the seed 

 from North Africa, and seedling trees have fruited in 

 several gardens, but it is now rare, most trees having 

 been killed by cold weather. 



