106 NUT CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES. 



CATAPPA (Terminalia catappa'L.). 



One of the species of the Myrobolan tree. The tree attains a height of 60 to 70 

 feet in localities free from frost, but it is easily killed by cold. Fine specimens have 

 been completely killed in southern Florida by the occasional cold to which that section 

 is subject. The oily, edible seeds are borne in the almond-like shell or husk, which 

 has caused the tree to be sometimes called "Tropical almond" and sometimes "Mala- 

 bar almond tree." It is not an almond, nor is it likely to be found worthy of cultiva- 

 tion even in the warmest sections of the United States except as an ornamental tree. 

 For the latter purpose it is unique with its " autumn leaves without frost," as at many 

 seasons of the year its large oblong leaves are richly colored yellow and scarlet. 



CREAM NUT (Beriholletia excelsa Humb. & Bonpl.). 



This is a common nut in our markets, brought from Brazil; hence it is often called 

 Brazil nut. The nut is triangular and has a dark-brown rough exterior. The kernel 

 is richly flavored and oily. It seems proper to mention this nut in order to emphasize 

 the fact that the tree is too tender for growth anywhere in the United States. Careful 

 search has failed to discover a thrifty specimen of this tree in this country. Repeated 

 failures to grow it in southern Florida seem sufficient evidence that it will not prosper 

 there. The following is a sample: J. P. Murdock, Oxford, Fla., says: "I have one 

 Brazil-nut tree 4 years old. It is tender and does not prosper." 



CHILEAN NUT (Guerina arellana Molina; Quadria helerophylla Ruiz. & Par.). 



Ferd. Von Mueller refers to this tree as one of the most beautiful in existence, 

 and no one will deny this when he sees the tree, even without flowers. The large 

 pinnate, evergreen leaves are a dark-green, glossy color, shining from afar, and the 

 young purplish buds are clothed with a thick down; add to this the snow-white flowers 

 of the delicate structure peculiar to Proteacete hanging in profusion all over the tree 

 and you have a sight not easily forgotten. Besides its beauty this tree is very useful. 

 Its fruit has an agreeable nut-like taste, but, like the Brabejum, it is poisonous in its 

 raw state. It has proved perfectly hardy at Berkeley, Cal., and is of compara'tively 

 rapid growth when established. Though most easily propagated from seeds, this tree 

 can also be propagated by cuttings, as has been done at the Garden of Economic 

 Plants, in Berkeley. 



QUEENSLAND NUT (Macadamia lernifolia F. von Mnell.). 



The Queensland-nut tree is a very beautiful evergreen. The fruit is a kind of 

 drupe, perfectly round and smooth, with a fleshy exterior encircling a hard shell like 

 a walnut. The kernel is quite free from the shell and is remarkably rich and agree- 

 able in flavor, which is much like the filbert, but very superior to that nut. The tree 

 is easily raised from seed, and is perfectly hardy along the coast, where the climate is 

 mild. At Berkeley, Cal., it is a little slow the first two or three years. It grows to 

 the proportions of a tree 30 feet or more in height, with leaves from 4 inches to 12 

 inches long, arranged in whorls of three or four, short stalked, leathery, shining, 

 oblong or oblong lanceolate, entire or dentate at the margin. 



BETEL (Areca catechu L.). 



This nut is the seed of the handsome tropical palm Areca catechu, too tender for 

 growth in the United States. The fruit is about the size of a hen's egg, of a reddish- 

 yellow color, and with a thick, fibrous rind inclosing the seed. This seed or nut is 

 about the size of a nutmeg, conical, and flattened at the base, brownish externally, 

 and internally mottled like a nutmeg. It is popular in India, where it is native, and it 

 is calculated that 100,000,000 people use this nut by chewing it the same as tobacco. 

 Its effect is stimulating to the nervous system, like tea, coffee, or tobacco. 



