TROPICAL AGRICULTURE 



TAMARIND 



The tamarind ( Tamarindus indica) is a large rather graceful 

 tree, native of tropical Asia and Africa. It is found almost 

 everywhere in tropical countries, being considered as a valu- 

 able shade tree and source of food. The tamarind is a stately 

 leguminous tree with pinnate leaves, like those of the acacia, 

 and yellowish-red flowers about I inch across. The tree bears 

 jointed moniliform brown pods 2 to $ inches in length which 

 are filled with a sweet sugary pulp much used in cooling drinks 

 and for making jam and also a medicine. The tree is propa- 

 gated either by seed or cuttings. In trade "Tamarinds" are 

 the whole pods of the tamarind tree. This tree fruits gen- 

 erally in January and February. On the mainland of the 

 United States it is grown in Florida and California. While 

 the tamarind is a leguminous tree with characteristic pods, 

 it is here classed with fruits because as a food product it is 

 used in jams and for other purposes in the manner of fruits. 

 The tamarind pods contain 3.5 per cent, of protein and 21 per 

 cent, of sugar. In India tamarind seeds are universally eaten 

 by the natives. 



UTCHI 



The litchi (Nephelium litchi) is a small tree native of China 

 with dense foliage of rich green, shiny leaves, racemes of 

 greenish flowers, and clusters of spherical fruit about I inch 

 in diameter. The skin of the fruit is wine-red or brown in 

 color, and the fruit ripens usually in June. Each fruit con- 

 tains one seed in a firm jellylike whitish pulp or aril of de- 

 licious flavor. The litchi is cultivated throughout the Tropics, 

 especially in China, Cochin China, and India. In China the 

 production of dried litchi fruit is a large industry. Dried 

 litchis are shipped to the United States and Europe in con- 

 siderable quantities. There are several varieties of quite un- 

 like excellence. The tree is best propagated by grafting. 



