Otis and Fats. 



372 



species, preferably deep-rooted ones, of similar " economic value. But what- 

 ever the method under which it is put out, the prime condition to be satisfied in 

 its culture is the individual allotment to each of the fullest amount of space and 

 light. The most suitable distance apart would appear to be 30 feet. If the plants 

 are put out in walks, they are best when arranged alternately and not opposite 

 to one another. 



The yield per acre can only be stated approximately; it may be put 

 down at the rate of ten pounds of dry kernels for each of the fifty trees at 500 

 pounds. When the kernels are cold expressed, they yield about 50 per cent of 

 the oil. As there is at present no market for the product its price, too, cannot 

 be determined with accuracy; but as it compares favourably with the finest 

 almond oil, like which again it does not turn rancid by keeping, it admits of 

 being priced similarly to the latter. Pressing the seeds in the rind in the ordinary 

 wooden mills of the country gives a brownish oil, which deposits stearin on 

 keeping; but when they are divested of the rind, which is a tedious process, 

 and carefully crushed in iron mills, the product obtained is of a light yellow 

 colour, and the proportion of solid precipitate small. The latter, Avhen present 

 is removable by decanting, after which the oil remains clear and pellucid. No 

 unpleasant effects follow its internal exhibition ; it is agreeable to the taste, 

 has hardly any odour, and is at least as nutritious as the so-called "salad" 

 oils that are sold in the shops and devoured with so much avidity and relish 

 in India. — Rangoon Gazette. 



[There are a number of these trees at Peradeniya, and their seeds are 

 known in Ceylon as " Country Almonds," and are quite good. Whether it would 

 pay to cidtivate them is another matter. — Ed.] 



THE MAHUA TREE. 



The Mahua, as a nut-bearing tree has been known for many ages. In the 

 laws of Mahu, the priesthood of India are forbidden to indulge in "madhvi," a 

 fiery liquor made from the fruit, and in the " Collection of Indian Remedies," by 

 Susruta, we are told that the tree yields a sugary paste, from which a fermented 

 drink is made. 



It belongs to the star-apple family (Sapotacece), the family to which belongs 

 the very important gutta-percha tree of the Malay Archipelago, and is found only 

 in the northern border of India, where it grows clear to the foot of the mighty 

 Himalayas. It grows from 50 to 65 feet high, and is one of the few deciduous trees 

 of that region. Its blooming period lasts from the end of February till April. 

 Quickly after the pollen is formed, the whitish tubular flowers swell to balls as 

 large as a cherry, which contain a large amount of invert sugar (honey). The 

 flower tubes fall, covering the ground in the greatest profusion. They are eagerly 

 gathered by the natives and eaten. A tree yields from 250 to 300 lb. of flowers, 

 which, Avhen dry, weigh about half as much, and occupy about one-fourth as 

 much space. The land is leased to the natives, and as the region where it grows 

 is of a poor and stony soil, the tree constitutes an important source of food. The 

 fruit is usually mixed with rice and thus eaten. The dried flowers have very 

 much the taste and appearance of raisins. They are exported to Europe as a 

 curiosity, and are also used as food for animals. Distillation yields a large per- 

 centage of spirit, which diluted with water makes " daru," a native whisky very 

 much used. It comes on the market in oaken barrels, and is highly esteemed by 

 Europeans, who claim that it equals the best whisky. Almost every village has 

 its distillery. In the island of Carougo, just outside of Bombay, some 60,000 to 80,000 

 rupees (about £4,000 to £5,333) are invested in stills alone. 



