99 



ing the water of the bitter cassava immediately after it is squeezed 

 from the grated pulp, until it gets to the consistency of molasses. It 

 is of great value and is used as a foundation for the best sauces. 



Experience places the age between nine and ten months in Jamaica 

 when most starch can be obtained from the tubers. 



The benefits that would be derived from Cassava Factories in 

 Jamaica by utilising the refuse as food for stock would help consider- 

 ably to solve the problem that has concerned us for a long time past 

 as to how to improve many of our industries — such as dairying and 

 producing meat fit for curing. 



LUFFAS AT HOPE GARDENS. 



By Wm. Harris, F.L.S., Superintendent of Hope Gardens. 



Luffa ^sgyptiaca, Mill. This is the Loofa, Strainer Gourd, 

 Strainer Vine, or Towel Gourd It is supposed to be a native of In- 

 dia, but is now naturalized or cultivated throughout the tropics The 

 plant is an extensive climber, with rough, dark-green leaves which are 

 "5-angled or somewhat 5-lobed. The male flowers are clustered near 

 the ends of long stalks ; the petals are yellow in colour, and each flower 

 has 5 stamens. The female flowers are solitary on short stalks. 

 The fruit is oblong, obscurely angled, usually 12 to 15 inches long, re- 

 sembling a cucumber, but in some cultivated forms it attains a length 

 ? of 30 inches. When the fruits are mature they are gathered, and the 

 outer shell is removed, disclosing a dense frame-work of fibres, with 

 flat, black seeds. The seeds are shaken out and the fibrous portion is 

 washed and bleached, and is then ready for use as a flesh brush in the 

 bath, or for making ornamental articles 



In India, the young, tender fruits, when they have attained a length 

 of not more than four inches, are much used by the natives in 

 curries, &c. The seeds are said to be emetic and cathartic. 



This plant has for long been erroneously known in the W. Indies as 

 Lnffa acutangula, Roxb., the name of a distinct species described bolow. 



Luffa acutangula, Roxb., Torooee, Torai, Jhinga. In general ap- 

 pearance this plant somewhat resembles the preceding species. The 

 leaves, however, are a light green abwe, and whitish boneath; the 

 male flowers have only 3 stamens ; and the fruit is usually club-shaped, 

 about 1 foot in length, and with 10 very prominent ribs or angles. 

 The fibrous portion of the fruit is hard and stiff, but it is also used as 

 a flesh brush. 



According to the " Dictionary of the Economic Products of India," 

 " the seeds possess emetic and purgative prope-ties, and the le ives are 

 used locally in splenitis, haemorrhid^, and leprosy. The fruit is highly 

 esteemed by natives, and is much eaten by them, either in curries or 

 dressed with clarified butter. When-half grown it is one of the best 

 indigenous Indian vegetables, and when peeled, boiled, and dressed 

 with butter, pepper, and salt is very palatable. Wnen fully developed 

 it is about a foot long, but if allowed to grow longer than 4 inches it 

 rapidly deteriorates in quality, and becomes useless for the table." 



We are indebted to Mr. H. W. Griffith of Hodge's Pen for seeds 

 of L. acutangula. 



