MISCELLANEOUS ECONOMIC PRODUCTS 553 



TANS 



Divi-divi Pods; " Vanni," T. The fruit of Caesalpinia 

 con'ara (Leguminosae), a moderate-sized spreading tree with 

 finely pinnate leaves and sweet-scented flowers, native of Central 

 America and the West Indies. The tree has been introduced 

 into Ceylon, and thrives up to 2,000 feet, in moist as well as 

 in moderately dry districts, being especially suited to the latter. 

 In the Trincomalee district, with an annual rainfall of about 

 63 inches, the tree has been planted some years ago as a commer- 

 cial product, and its growth is reported to be satisfactory . Divi-divi 

 is cultivated in certain parts of South America, more especially 

 in the Island of Curasao. Seeds are best sown in baskets ; 

 the seedlings should be ready for planting out about rive months 

 after germination, and may be planted at distances of about 

 16 ft. apart each way. In course of time it may become necessary 

 to thin the trees out further, an average space of 26 ft. apart each way 

 being finally allowed, or say 64 trees to the acre. The small 

 twisted pods are picked when fully ripe, the proper condition 

 being indicated when the seed can be heard to rattle in the 

 pods. The best are exported as first quality, all fallen pods being 

 classed as second quality. The yield per tree may be from 40 Ib. to 

 80 Ib. annually, only one crop a year being produced. Divi-divi 

 pods are a valuable tanning material, and are largely exported from 

 South America, and to some extent from the West Indies. They 

 are usually valued in England at from 9 to 11 per ton. 



Gambler; Terra Japonica. (Uncaria Gambler. Rubiaceae). 

 A large climbing shrub, native of Malaya, where it is sometimes 

 cultivated as a catch-crop with Pepper. An astringent extract, 

 called "cutch," and used by tanners and dyers, is obtained by boil- 

 ing down the leaves and shoots; it is exported and commands about 

 37s. per cwt. in London. Cutch is commonly used in Malaya as 

 a chewing mastic, and commands an average price of about 6 dollars 

 per picul. The Gambier plant has been introduced into Ceylon in 

 1887, and flourishes in the moist heat of Heneratgoda Gardens, 

 near sea level. It is probably unsuited for cultivation above 

 1,000 feet elevation. 



Wattle Bark. The bark of several species of Acacia are 

 described as "the best of Australian tan barks, and among the rich- 

 est tanning barks in the world." The more important of these are: 

 Black or Tan-wattle (Acacia decurreiis var. uiollissima), Silver-wattle 

 (A. dealbata\ (Blackwood or green-wattle (A. MelanoAylon), and 



