MYSORE AND COORG. 63 



of the disease. As the tree is supposed to possess 

 powerful antiseptic properties it is much planted in 

 towns, especially throughout the plains of the Madras 

 Presidency. It flowers in February or March, and 

 ripens its fruit in June or July. 



Cultivation. — Of seeds sown, not more than 40 

 per cent, may be expected to germinate. Healthy 

 trees are often found in the back-yards of native 

 houses associated with the Ficus religiosa, another 

 sacred species. These are planted in the same pit 

 together so that their limbs and branches may 

 entwine and form what is called a natural marriage. 

 For avenue or tope planting the trees should be 

 45 feet apart. In inland situations, an occasional 

 top dressing of sheep or goats manure, with a few 

 handf uls of saltwill make the saplings grow rapidly. 

 The neem coppices well. 

 139 Melia Azedarach, Linn. Kan. Hutctti bevu, CLik 



bevn, Issapuri, Arebevn ? 



Fig.— Bot. Plates Lal-Bagh Collection. BecM. 

 Fl. Sylv. t. 13. Wight Ic. t. 160. 



'References.— Brand. For. Fl. 68. Bid. of Econ. 

 Prod, of Ind. 

 The Persian lilac or bead tree. Much cultivated 

 in towns and villages on the plains, but not truly 

 indigenous to any part of Southern India. When 

 conserved in private or public grounds it is a 

 pleasing evergreen tree with sweet-scented lilac 

 flowers, but seen in the villages it is always an 

 unsightly and much abused object, owing to its 

 being ruthlessly stripped of its leaves to provide 

 forage for sheep and goats. The wood is worthless, 

 although it is nicely mottled and takes a good polish. 

 Weight about 35 lb. per cubic foot. Although not 

 so popular as the true neem, for which it is occasion- 

 ally mistaken by Europeans,' it really possesses, in a 

 minor degree, many of the same useful properties 

 as that tree. The kernels of the fruit (seeds) are 



