T H E CUBA RE n E JV 15 



one-half as thick. In general aspect it resembles the pods of the common lima bean, 

 though somewhat more curved, and has from one to six or more seeds or beans. It 

 has a grayish or rusty covered appearance, and the quite brittle outer shell ( epicarp) 

 when fully matured is easily removed, leaving an acid-fiavored, sweetish, pulpy 

 interior (sarcocarp), in which are embedded the rather large, flat, square seeds. The pulpy 

 matter which contains a larger proportion of acid, with the saccharine matter, than 

 is usually found in acid fruits, has membranous fibres running through it from end to end. 

 It is this pulpy matter that has the agreeable taste giving the fruit its value as a food 

 and beverage. It contains, besides sugar and tartaric, malic and citric acid, also 

 mucilage and supertartrate of potash. 



The uses to which this pulpy matter are put are almost too numerous to mention. 

 The uses were first learned from the Arabians and the preparation and sale of the 

 pulp in India now constitute a considerable industry and quite a business has sprung 

 up also in parts of the West Indies and in the Philippine Islands. In the East Indies 

 the pulp is removed from the shell and dried m the sun for home consumption; that 

 intended for export is invariably dried in copper kettles. Salt is usually added to the 

 pulp before drying it, which turns it dark. In this state it is shipped to Europe under 

 the name of natural tamarindo. The West Indian kind is called prepared tamarindo, 

 which is put up in grades of much less value. In recent years the whole fruits 

 have been imported into the United States. A sirup prepared in Europe occasionally 

 reaches this country. The fruit attains maturity in July and August in the West 

 Indies, when the pods should be collected and shipped at once. 



In the United States the pulp is used for a number of purposes. A drink is 

 made of it, called tamarind, that is known for its cooling effect. It is also employed 

 in flavoring subacid confections, which is probably its chief use. It is reputed to 

 have medicinal virtues, especially in cases of fevers and biliousness, but very little 

 of it is used in this country in a medicinal way. In all hot countries it is used 

 against dysentery, and it is said to be highly serviceable. In a small quantity it 

 acts as an astringent and in larger doses as a laxative. Its chief merit is that it has 

 a cooling effect, and for that reason travelers in all hot countries carry it with them 

 to quench their thirst. In Nubia the natives allow the pulp to ferment in the sun, 

 after which it is formed into cakes and dried. This dried mass is then dissolved 

 in water, which forms a very refreshing drink. In parts of India a sherbet is prepared 

 from it. By the addition of sugar to the dried pulp and dissolving in water, vinegar 

 is obtained. In Central America a drink is made by steeping the ripe pulp of the 

 pods in water. It is then strained, cooled, and sweetened to the taste. It makes 

 a more palatable and cooling drink than lemonade. The pulp is also an important 

 ingredient of curries and many sauces. 



In India the seeds are used for food. They are first roasted and then soaked 

 in water until the thick, homy, outer coat comes off. The inner (cotyledons) portion 

 is then boiled, and is said to taste almost like the common garden beans. The young 

 seedlings when about a foot high are relished by the East Indians either in the form 

 of a salad or boiled. The leaves of the trees are used in curries. The flowers are 

 used for coloring food. The wood of this tree is exceedingly durable in contact with 

 the soil and air. It is hard, heavy, and very strong, and is highly esteemed by wheel- 

 rights and makers of farming implements. Every part of the tree is useful and it 

 should behoove all landowners in the tropics to plant this tree more extensively, 

 as has been done in the Philippine Islands, where owmers har\-est as much as 350 

 pounds of fruit from good trees and realize a neat profit of $3.50 per tree per year. 



The Uses of the Horse- Radish Tree 



The horse-radish tree (Moringa pterygospenna) is the paraiso france's or palo 

 jeringa of Cuba. It was introduced from India and is now growing spontaneously in 

 Cuba and other parts of the West Indies, where the species has become thoroughly 



