THE MttLBEKRY TREE. 17 



will fall from the tree and be lost, or be devoured by 

 birds. When a portion of the fruit is ripe, spread 

 blankets under the trees and shake them gently by 

 this means the ripe berries are disengaged from the 

 boughs, and, falling upon the blankets, are easily 

 gathered, while those that are unripe remain undis- 

 turbed. This process ought to be repeated every 

 morning. The seed should not be suffered to remain 

 in the berry more than three or four days at longest, 

 as fermentation may take place which will injure, if 

 not destroy it. 



CLEANSING THE SEED. 



To separate the seed, put the fruit into a tub, or 

 other convenient vessel, and with the hands, or a 

 pounder, mash them till they are incorporated into a 

 common mass. Then pour water upon it and stir it 

 briskly till a separation takes place between the seed 

 and the pulp. After the separation has taken place, 

 the water should be poured off, taking with it the 

 false seeds which will rise to the surface. The wash- 

 ings should be repeated until the seed is clean. Rub- 

 bing it through a sieve, with meshes of sufficient size 

 to admit the passage of the seed will facilitate the 

 operation. 



After the seed has become clean, the water is 

 drained off and the seed spread thinly on cloths and 

 dried in the shade. When perfectly dry it should be 

 put into a vessel air tight, and kept in a dry place, 

 secluded from frost or dampness, till it is wanted for 

 sowing. 



