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III. Particulars respecting the mode of Cultivation $c. of the 

 Averrhoa Carambola. By James Bateman, Esq. F.H.S. 



Read December 3, 1833. 



The fruit of Averrhoa Carambola never having been as, far as I 

 can collect, produced in Europe before, it has occurred to me that 

 a few particulars respecting the mode of its cultivation, as well as a 

 short account of the tree in its wild state, may at the present 

 moment, prove not entirely destitute of interest. 



Averrhoa Carambola is found in abundance in the East Indian 

 Archipelago, Bengal, Ceylon, &c. where its fruit passes under the 

 various denominations of" Blimbing' ? " Tamaratonga" and " Camnie" 

 or " Camrunga" but the former name, being not only the most gene- 

 ral, but also the most pronounceable, it would perhaps be well to 

 adopt it, should the fruit be found to possess sufficient attractions 

 to entitle it to a place in our desserts. 



The Blimbing seems to vary much in size, being found by some 

 travellers, as large as a hen's egg, while others represent it as 

 attaining the bulk of a large orange ; its merits too are as variously 

 reported as its dimensions, for while in Hindostan it is declared to 

 be wholesome and delicious, in Java (as we are informed by Abel) 

 it is in great request for tarts, and nothing more. 



The tree by which it is produced is of moderate stature, with an 

 elegant spreading head and light airy foliage something similar to 

 that of the Acacia ; it is very prolific and produces fruit three times 

 a year, from the age of three to fifty. 



In cultivation it requires to be plunged, but not in any heating 

 substance ; my plant, which I received only last year from Messrs. 



