246 IIOREST TREES. 



pits at 30 feet apart. In artificial treatment, irri- 

 gation will be required during the first dry season. 

 In rock-lands, the Nelli is often reduced to a large 

 bush. 



490 Phyllanthus distichus, Muell. Kan. Kimnelii 



mara. 



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



References.— Ft. of Brit. hid. ; Bid. of Econ. 

 Prbd. of Ind. 

 The star gooseberry tree. Indigenous to Mada- 

 gascar and the Malay Islands, naturalised in Indian 

 gardens, where the species is popularly cultivated 

 both for ornament and fruit. A small round-headed 

 tree of 20 — 30 feet. Leafy branchlets nearly two 

 feet in length and resembling long pinnate leayes. 

 Deciduous at the close of the hot season. The small 

 flowers appear in advance of the leaves in June, 

 and are densely crowded on the naked limbs and 

 branches, where the fruit subsequently appears in 

 ample clusters. The latter is much relished both in 

 dessert and pickle. 



Cultivation. — Seeds germinate somewhat reluc- 

 tantly, but steeping for a few hours in tepid or 

 camphorated water helps the process. Square pits 

 4' X 4' wide ajid 3' deep should be opened six months 

 in advance of the planting season, on the arrival of 

 which healthy seedlings should be planted at 15 — 20 

 feet apart. A proportion of decomposed cattle 

 manure, equal to ^ of the soil around the pit, should 

 be applied and thoroughly mixed in the latter when 

 refilled. Grrowth is rather slow at first, but under 

 careful treatment the tree will begin to fruit in the 

 fifth, year. 

 491 Phyllanthus indicus, Mueil. 



A. deciduous tree of 30 — 40 feet. Entered with 

 hesitation as the species is not verified in Mysore. 

 Branches terete, white spotted. Leaves 5^2 in. 

 distichous, membranous and variable in shape. 



