260 



SPICES OF THE TROPICS 



when they become black in colour and when, on shaking, the seed 

 rattles inside. The process of gathering is effected by a long 

 stick with a crook at the end, the fruit-bearing clusters being 



ALLSPICE TREE. Pitllt'llUl officillillis. 



broken off and thrown down, and the berries then picked off the 

 stalks by women and children. An allspice tree under favourable 

 circumstances begins to bear when 7 or 8 years old, but it is not 

 usually in full bearing until about 18 or 20 years old, when a single 



