99 



of silk " among the natives might he encouraged by 

 Government. 



The anona squamosa, or custard apple, thrives 

 well in Fiji, and is now common in the gardens of the 

 settlers. This augurs well for the success of other 

 fruit-bearing species of anona. 



The grandilla (passiflora quadrangularis) is quite 

 common, and bears annually loads of delicious fruit. 



The pomegranate is not less common, but it does 

 not bear so freely. The rind is a reputed cure for 

 dysentery in some countries. 



The mango has also been introduced, but so recently 

 that only a few of the older trees have begun to bear 

 fruit. No certain idea can be formed as to how the 

 flavour of the fruit will be affected by the climate of 

 Fiji. The young trees present a hopeful appearance. 

 The mango is more prolific and the fruit is of 

 better quality when grown in a dry climate than in a 

 wet one, notwithstanding that the trees are gene- 

 rally larger and healthier in the latter than in the 

 former. Moist, showery weather is more favourable 

 to the growth of wood than of fruit. Although in a 

 wet district the trees may yearly show an abundance 

 of flower, yet, should a tropical shower pass over 

 them while in blossom, scarcely a flower will set in 

 a whole orchard of mango trees. Hence it may 

 safely be affirmed that the best crops and the finest 

 flavoured fruit will be produced in the dry localities 

 of Fiji. The prevalence of either wet weather, or 

 a cloudy sky, prevents fruit from being well flavoured 

 m any country. 



The alligator pear or avocada (persea gratis- 



sima) has lately been introduced, and its success 



G 2 



