CHAPTER LI. 
THE PRIDE OF INDIA. 
Its Climate of Thrift, and Attainable Growth.—Its Beautifying and 
Ornamental Elegance.—Its Diffused Existence.—Opinions as to its 
Nativity. —How Propagated and Manner of Culture.—Its Favorite 
Soil.—Description of its Leaf, Flower, and Fruit.—Medicinal Prop- 
erties of its Berries.—Description and Uses of its Wood.—Its Seed, 
How Obtained. 
Tue Pride of India flourishes in Florida and other 
Southern States, where it attains its fullest magnitude, 
arriving at the height of from thirty to forty feet in fa- 
vored situations, and is highly esteemed for its beautify- 
ing and ornamental elegance. It is also widely diffused 
through many countries of Europe and Asia, and is chiefly 
cultivated for the beautifying effect produced by its 
floral productiveness and magnificent foliage. Opinions 
have fixed Persia as the country of its original nativity, 
while others hold that it has been naturalized to the 
United States at an early age, being found growing in 
wild profusion in the forests of the South. 
This tree may be propagated from seed, which should 
be sown in beds of light, moderately rich soil at not less 
than two inches apart, so as to allow for the develop- 
ment of its leaves and shoots. Its favorite ground is a 
warm loamy or sandy soil, which well fits it for planting 
in worn-out fields. The young plants may be taken up 
at the end of the first season and planted in nursery 
lines; and at the end of the second year they can be re- 
moved to their position of permanency. When plant- 
ed singly its growth is less elevated than when grown 
collectively. Its leaves are large, of a dark-green color, 
