T H E C UB A REVIE W 



17 



The Pods of the Horse-Radish Tree 

 The one to (he left has been split open so as to exhibit the seeds 



is used also as a salad oil and owing to its power of absorbing and retaining even 

 the most fugitive odors, it is highly esteemed by perfumers as a base in the manu- 

 facture of perfumery. 



The bark contains tannic acid used in India for tanning leather. An important 

 gum exudes from the bark of the living tree and the bast obtained from the inner 

 bark is used in making mats, coarse paper and cordage. The roots of young trees 

 when scraped resemble those of the true horse-radish plant and have exactly the 

 same taste and use. It is on this account that the tree has been given the name 

 horse-radish. In India it is eaten in the same way that horse-radish is eaten in this 

 country. It is pungent and astringent and the juice from the root bark has been 

 used also in medicine. 



The tree may be propagated by seeds or cutting, and will thrive in almost any 

 soil where other trees will grow; in fact, it is found close to the sea, where the roots 

 come in contact with brackish water, as well as on the rocky and well-drained slopes 

 of mountains. It appears to attain its best development in and around towns and 

 cities, but will grow and produce annually an abundance of fruits which are easily 

 gathered and the seed readily marketed. 



