

CHAP. II. DESSERT FRUITS. 253 



Plants cannot be raised true from seed, but require to be 

 propagated by grafting. " Trees," says General Jenkins, " may 

 be grafted in several ways, but the usual process in Bengal is 

 by ingrafting a ring of bark about one inch long on stocks of 

 the common Baer. The ring is to have one eye, and to be 

 soaked some time in water, after being drawn off, and then 

 placed upon the stock intended, and from which the bark has 

 been cut off in size equal to the ring to be fitted on. Protect 

 from the weather, and cut away all other branches from the 

 common Baer."* 



Zizyphus Jujuba. 

 Baer Narikelee Kool. 



A small, very thorny tree ; native of India ; blossoms in the 

 Bains, and ripens its fruit at the beginning of the Cold season. 



The fruit, which is usually borne upon the tree in unbounded 

 profusion, is perfectly'round, of the size of a very large Cherry, 

 smooth, shining, and of a tawny yellow colour ; rather acid in 

 flavour, and not altogether unlike a Siberian Crab- Apple. It 

 affords a very nice dish cooked with sugar. 



The tree of this likewise is of extraordinarily rapid growth ; 

 cut down to the ground after fruiting it will spring up again to 

 the height of fifteen feet, and be covered with an amazing crop 

 of fruit the following season. 



Propagated from seed, and requires no care bestowed on its 

 cultivation. 



Hovenia dulcis. 



A large tree ; native of China, Japan, and the hills of Northern 

 India. 



Don and Dr. Lindley state that the peduncles of the fruit be- 

 come extremely enlarged and succulent, subcylindrical, smooth, 

 and an inch long ; contain a sweet red pulp, having in flavour 

 much the resemblance of a ripe Pear, and are in much esteem 

 in China. 



The tree has been a great many years in the Calcutta Botanical 

 Gardens ; but never, that I can learn, has produced anything 

 there fit to be eaten in the way of fruit. 



* MS. 



