

70 SHADE IN COFFEE CULTUEE. 



paper making. At present it is utilized in Porto Eico for domestic purposes only, all 

 the homemade ropes being twisted from it. The conditions are, however, very favor- 

 able for the cultivation of emmajagua on a large scale should more extensive induS' 

 trial uses be found for it. 



Parota. 



Mentioned by Yorba as one of the principal coffee-shade trees of Mexico. 

 Peanut. (See Arachis hypogaea.) 



Peltophorum dasyrachis. (See Caesalpinia dasyrachis.) 

 Peiion (Cuba). (See Erythrina potppigiana.) 

 Pepetar (Sumatra). (See Caesalpinia dasyrachis.) 



Persea gratissima. 



Common names. — Aguacate (Mexico); Alligator pear; Avocado pear; Butter pear 

 This well-known fruit of the Tropics has the external appearance of a large pear, 

 but on being cut open is found to have a large central seed, which separates readily 

 from the rather firm, somewhat buttery outer pulp, which is the part eaten. The 

 "butter pear," as it is sometimes called, is a salad fruit, if such a term may be used, 

 being eaten with salt, vinegar, pepper, and other condiments. The pulp is scraped 

 away from the outer hard skin with a spoon. Opinions differ greatly as to the value 

 of this fruit. Some are extremely fond of it, while others consider it quite insipid, as 

 it undoubtedly is, without seasoning. Properly seasoned, it blends finely with dress- 

 ings, and has recently been used as an ingredient of rich and elaborate salads. 

 Treated with oil, salt, and tarragon vinegar, it has also been recommended, cut in 

 slices and served as a relish, or the "butter" mashed up with such a dressing may 

 be applied to sandwiches. At present but a small quantity of this fruit is marketed 

 in New York, but the prices are good, 20 cents apiece being an average figure, at which 

 the business would certainly be very profitable. According to Semler, an oil extracted 

 from the alligator pear is used in large quantities in America in soap manufacture, but 

 the seat of the oil industry is not stated. 



There are numerous varieties, the ordinary green sort being the prevailing, if not 

 the only type in Porto Rico, but in other countries purple and nearly black kinds 

 are known. Some varieties are also said to be more hardy than others. It is very 

 desirable that a collection of these be made in order to determine which should be 

 propagated in large quantities for export. 



It is not impossible that the culture of the avocado pear on a large scale might be 

 advantageously combined with that of coffee, especially in localities where shelter is 

 desirable. It is enumerated by Yorba among "trees mostly used in Mexico for 

 shade." 



Petah (Sumatra). (See Caesalpinia dasyrachis.) 

 Petah-petah (Java). (See Caesalpinia dasyrachis.) 

 Petar (Sumatra). (See Caesalpinia dasyrachis.) 

 Fhasemy. (See Phaseolus semierectus.) 

 Phaseolus. Bean. 



Various species of Phaseolus and other beans are planted as catch crops with coffee 

 in Brazil and elsewhere. 





Phaseolus semierectus. Phasemy. 



Experiments at the Botanic Gardens of British Guayana have demonstrated that 

 this species is there much more vigorous and prolific than alfalfa, and this will prob- 

 ably be true for other moist tropical countries. 





