CHAP. II. DESSERT FRUITS. 239 



FABACE^E. 



Tamarindus Indica, 



TAMARIND. 



Imlee. 



This large tree, a native of India, and so common in all parts 

 of the country, produces its small yellowish blossoms in May, 

 and matures its fruit in February. The varieties mentioned 

 are : 



1. The Sour-fruited. 



2. The Sweetish-fruited. 



3. The Ked-fruited. 



The last of these, having the pulp of its pod of a rose-colour, 

 is of highest merit, and is that which, when obtainable, is always 

 employed for preserving. 



Plants are always raised from seed, but whether the varieties 

 may be depended upon to come true to their seed I am unable 

 to say. To make certain, however, of a tree of the best sort, as 

 well as to render it of a size conveniently small for the garden, 

 unquestionably the best plan would be to propagate a plant by 

 means of a gootee. The natives have an idea that the Tamarind- 

 tree renders the neighbourhood of the spot where it grows un- 

 wholesome. 



DKUPACE^E. 

 Amygdalus Persica. 



PEACH. 

 /\ 



Aroo. 



The varieties of Peach cultivated in this country seem to me 

 to be very few. Indeed I know of only three between the 

 fruits of which there is any material difference. 



1. The Saharunpore Peach, cultivated generally in the North- 

 West Provinces, is a very large, fine, sweet, and mellow fruit ; 

 but at the very best wanting, as it seemed to me, in the luscious 

 and melting quality of the Peaches of Europe. 



2. The Flat China is a very curious fruit, resembling in form 

 a man's open hand without thumb and fingeis, with a small 



