290 FOREST TREES. 



Of its meritti as a shade tree for c"offee, Mr. Graham 

 Anderson gives the following account: — "It is 

 generally allowed to be the very best shade tree for 

 coffee estates and is consequently invariably pre- 

 served. It is easily propagated from seed and small 

 cuttings. It is almost destitute of leaves in the 

 monsoon, but, in the hot weather it is clothed in a 

 rich, glistening foliage. It is admirably suited for 

 coffee which flourishes under its cool and most de- 

 sirable protection." 



To the above remarks may be added the fact that 

 it is a characteristic of Atti, and several other fig 

 trees, to impart moisture to the soil in which their 

 roots are placed, an important function which, no 

 doubt, aids the growth of ojther plants when they 

 are situated under the protection of such trees. 



Cultivation.— Seedhngs of this tree are usually 

 abundant in the haunts of birds and in the clefts of 

 other trees. Cuttings of aU sizes root freely, and 

 for permanent growth plant in a somewhat moist 

 situation at 40 feet apart. Being a very dirty tree 

 while in fruit, it should not be planted near the 

 source of drinking water, nor in pleasure grounds 

 where the main object is tidiness. 



559 Ficus macrophylla, Desp. 



The Moreton Bay fig. Introduced from Australia 

 and cultivated in the Lal-Bagh from whence it is 

 spreading to gardens and plantations in various 

 parts of the province. A handsome evergreen 

 tree mth a few aerial roots. In the form, texture, 

 and venation of leaf, this species might almost be 

 mistaken for F. elastica, hut the receptacle (fruit) is 

 wholly different to the receptacle of the latter, being 

 produced in axillary pedunculate pairs, ovoid, pur- 

 phsh with orange spots, the size of a gooseberry. 

 "Diameter of trunk 36 to 76 inches ; height 50—100 



