388 



THE TROPICAL FRUIT STOVE. 



unfortunately lost, two years after its introduction, through circumstances 

 over which vre had no control. 



THE CHOCOLATE TREE {Tlieohroma Cacao). 



The Cacao tree is extensively cultirated in many of the settlements in 

 Spanish America, particularly in ^lexico, where it has been raised for 

 an unknown length of time. The cacao tree is thus described in TJte 

 Library of Entertaining Knowledge : — " It seldom rises above the height 

 of twenty feet ; its leaves are large, oblong, and pointed. The flowers, 

 which are small, and of a pale red colour, spring from the large 

 branches ; they are succeeded by oval pointed pods, that contain a 

 white pithy substance, which is sweet, but disagreeable, and surround- 

 ing numerous seeds : these are the cacao of commerce." 



The Theobroma is increased by seeds, and also by cuttings, and require? 

 only the cultm-e of a well-regulated stove to grow it to perfection. In 

 its native coimtiy it requires the growth of six or seven years from 

 seed to attain a fruitful state ; therefore, under the influence of artificial 

 cultm-e we may naturally conclude that a tree, enjoying good health 

 and proper treatment, will not produce fniit under that period, if so soon. 



THE SUGAR-CANE {Sacchurum officinarum.) 



The sugar-cane, although not a fruit-bearing tree, is of sufficient im- 

 portance to demand a place in a stove dedicated to the cultivation of 

 Tropical Plants, as the produce of it is interesting to us, as ministering so 

 largely to om' comforts and luxuries. 



The sugar-cane has been cultivated in our stoves since 1597, and, con- 

 sequently, is one of their oldest inhabitants. It is of easy culture, 

 requiting plenty of heat, and a moist, rich soil. With us it attains the 

 height of seven or eight feet, but never flowers. Dming the short period 

 that the Empress Josepliine enjoyed the title of wife to the most capricious 

 of men, the sugar-cane was grown upon a pretty extensive scale in the 

 royal gardens at Paris, and from the produce of the canes so cultivated 

 a smaU sugar-loaf was made and presented to the Empress, who, it is 

 weU known, was a most enthusiasric promoter of horticultm'e and botany. 



TAMARIND TREE {Tamariudus indicus). 

 The tamarind tree has been long an inhabitant of our stoves and 



