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FRUIT CULTIVATION 



sometimes used as a substitute for pepsin in medicine. It is col- 

 lected in porcelain or glass dishes, dried in the form of small balls 

 or powder, and exported (chiefly from Jamaica) to Europe, America, 

 etc. An average of J Ib. papaine may be obtained per tree. Fair 

 quality papaine may fetch from 5s. to 8s. a Ib., but the demand 

 is limited and irregular." The property of the leaves in rendering 

 meat tender is well known, and is commonly made use of by cooks 



PLANTATION OF PAPAXV, OK PAPAYA. (Ciirica 



in Ceylon and elsewhere, who either wrap the leaves round the 

 fresh meat, or place a piece of the green fruit in the water in which 

 the meat is boiled. The tree bears fruit continuously from the time 

 it is about ten to twelve months old, but deteriorates at the age of 

 five to six years, after which its fruitful life is practically over. 

 The flowers being usually unisexual, the tree is dependent on 



"The export of papaine from Ceylon in 1911 was 6,610 Ib. valued at 2.281, and in 1912, 

 12,920 Ib. valued at 3.37. About i of this was in each case destined for the United States, Germany 

 being the next largest consumer. 



