vin, a, i Pratt and del Rosario: Philippine Fruits 63 



inferior mangos are found in the markets of some localities 

 during the entire year. 



CHICO 



ACHRAS SAPOTA L. Plate II, fig. 2. Chico; Sapodilla plum; Zapote, 

 Bully-tree; Nasebeery. 



A small tree with milky sap, the leaves thick, shining, entire. 

 Flowers small, fascicled, axillary. Fruit globose to ovoid, brown, 

 usually 4 to 5 centimeters in diameter, the pulp brownish, 

 granular, containing from 1 to 5 large, hard, shining black seeds. 

 Native of tropical America. 



The chico is one of the best fruits grown in the Islands. Firm- 

 inger states that 



A more luscious, cool and agreeable fruit is not to be met with perhaps 

 in any country in the world. 



It is common in many parts of the Tropics, especially the West 

 Indies, Central America, Mexico, and India, and is highly 

 esteemed wherever known. The pulp is firm, abundant, and has 

 a sweet taste not unlike the flavor of maple. The unripe fruit 

 is high in tannin and gum, but these disappear during ripening, 

 and leave a juicy pulp that is excellent. 



The gum is distributed throughout the tree, and is a valuable 

 commercial product. It is collected in many parts of Mexico and 

 Central America under the name "gum-chicle," but especially in 

 Yucatan where an extensive trade has been built up. The milky 

 juice is gathered from incisions made in the bark, considerable 

 skill being necessary to avoid harming the tree. Tapping should 

 occur only once in three years. The juice is boiled to proper con- 

 sistence, and molded in bricks for export. Overheating causes 

 the gum to turn reddish, and reduces its selling value. The 

 first quality chicle is firm, almost white, aromatic, and nearly 

 tasteless. It is the basis of chewing gum and has a ready market. 

 There seems to be no reason why it could not be collected here, 

 and with cultivation form a considerable source of profit, al- 

 though at present the trees are too scattered to compete with 

 Yucatan. Good quality chicle sells for 35 to 45 cents a pound 

 in the New York market. 



JAK 



ARTOCARPUS INTEGRIFOLIA L. f. Plate III, fig. 1. Jak; Lanca, 



Nanca, Nangca, T.; Anangca, II. 



A small or medium-sized spreading tree with abundant milky 

 juice. Leaves elliptic, obtuse, entire. Fruits solitary, very 

 large, up to 50 centimeters long, borne on the trunk and larger 



