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varieties are said to possess, is only applicable to inferior 

 varieties. The better kinds have little or no fibre, and if they 

 possess any trace of turpentine at all, it is not disparaging to the 

 deliciousness of the flavour. 



The list of varieties of mangoes would be a lengthy one. The j 

 Agri. -Horticultural Society of India publish a list of forty odd kinds,, 

 of which they sell grafts ; forty varieties or more are known in Java; 

 some thirty varieties or more are cultivated in Mauritius ; while a 

 great many are also known in the West Indies. 



The mango does not reproduce true to name from seed, and, 

 as it does not readily take the cleft graft, it is generally propagated 

 by inarching. Grafted mangoes come into bearing in about five 

 years after planting out. Varieties highly praised are : The 

 Alphonso mango of India, the August mango of Mauritius, the 

 Strawberry, Carpenter, and a host of other good sorts which would 

 prove a great acquisition to our North and North- West provinces. 



The mango is not only eaten when ripe, but large quantities 

 are used green for pickles, chutney, or served raw with salt, pepper, 

 and vinegar. The natives of India also use the leaves for its 

 medicinal virtues. 



THE PAP AW (Carica papaya). 



A native of Central America, it has now reached every corner 

 of the tropical world. 



The tree, which is unisexual, consists of a soft- wooded trunk, 

 smooth and without branches, reaching 5 to 15 feet in height. 

 The male flowers are white and hang down in clusters, whereas the 

 female flowers are large, yellow, and carried at the base of the leaves 

 which are palmate, with long stalks, and carried at the top of the 

 tree. 



The papaw tree is easily raised from seed, and, when strong 

 enough, may be planted out. The first year they require a certain 

 amount of protection in localities likely to be visited by frost. They 

 bear within a year, and, as they are not long lived, they should be- 

 replaced every three or four years. Mr. G. C. Eose, of Parkfield, 

 near Bunbury, states that they grew splendidly with him on the 

 banks of the Fitzroy, West Kimberley, till the white ants ate them 

 down. 



The papaw bears heavily from the first year. The fruit has the 

 appearance of rock melons and is excellent eating. 



An acrid sap pervades the whole tree, and possesses marked 

 digestive power for nitrogenous substances. In fact that property 

 has been availed of in medicine, and papaine, the active principle, is 

 used as a vegetable pepsin and as a vermifuge. In Mauritius,, 

 where the papaw grows to great perfection, this property is often 

 availed of to turn tender tough old roosters. They are simply 

 wrapped up in papaw leaves and hung for a few hours under a 

 papaw tree. 



