256 



FOREST TREES. 



should be planted out into large square pits at 

 25 — 30 feet apart. Being a gross feeder, the tree 

 requires the exclusive use of a deep fertile soil, as 

 when the roots of other trees encroach, the Belgaum 

 walnut usually suffers and becomes stunted and 

 unproductive in consequence. 



510 Croton Tiglium, Linn. Kan. japala, Nepala. 

 Fig.— Bot. Plates Lal-Bagh Collection. Bentl. & 

 Trim. Med. PI. t. 239. 



References.— PAarm. hid. ; Diet, of Econ. Prod, 

 of Ind. 



This valuable plant is cultivated in the Lal-Bagh, 

 where it grows and seeds freely and assumes the 

 form of a small tree of 6—8 ft. The oil obtainable 

 from the matured seed is a well known drastic pur- 

 gative usually administered in capsules or small 

 doses. It is applied externally as a rubefacient, but 

 incautious use, or even careless handling, will cause 

 severe blistering. As the climate of Mysore is well 

 adapted for this cultivation it should be encouraged, 

 with a view to including croton-oil seed as a minor 

 product of the State forests. 



The seed is very expensive, and supplies for 

 Europe and the Colonies are mostly obtained direct 

 from China, the country in which the plant grows 

 wild. 



Cultivation — Seeds germinate at the rate of 30 

 per cent after 20 days shallow insertion, in moist 

 soil. Seedliags of 9 inches to a foot may be planted 

 in rows, during the rains, at 6 feet apart. "Watering 

 is necessary during the first dry season, and may be 

 required at longer intervals during the second also. 

 511 Croton oblongifolius, Eoxb. 



A small deciduous tree of the western hiU region. 

 The root-bark, leaves and fruit, possess medicinal 

 prpperfcies, and the seeds are said to be purgative. 



