839 
vegetable either alone or in curries. The leaves are 
boiled and eaten as greens and also serve as fodder for 
cattle. The wood Is whitish-grey, closely grained, and 
hard, but not used for any special purpose. The unripe 
fruits are used as fish poison." (Watt, Dictionary of 
Economic Products of India.) 
Spondias lutea L. (Anacardlaceae . ) 39563. Seeds from 
Bogota, Colombia. Procured through Mr. P. L. Rockwood, 
clerk of the American Legation. l "Clruelas. , There Is a 
yellow fruit here, which is in the market about three 
months of the year. It is reddish yellow, grows on a 
small tree, like cherries on a small Scale. It has never 
been cultivated but has a very large seed and a pleasant 
slightly acid taste, and the market name is ' ciruelas , ' 
which is Spanish for plums. 'They are about three quarters 
of an inch long and oblong in shape, a very handsome fruit. 
The season lasts only from June to September. This class 
of fruit is abundant in the Valleys of the Andes in a warm, 
climate where the temperature is from 70 to 80° P., and- it 
seems to do best below the coffee belt in valleys where 
it is shaded and well watered . The fruit is very popular 
in this market, especially among the children and seems 
very healthy to use. The price is higher in proportion to 
other tropical fruits in the Bogota market, owing. to the 
fact that none is cultivated and dependence is placed upon 
the wil crop only. This fruit is said to counteract the 
effects arising from eating too much meat." (Rockwood.) 
NOTES FROM CORRESPONDENTS ABROAD. 
Philippine Islands. Manila. Mr. Henry H. Boyle on 
his late visit to America was requested to write a full 
account of a very interesting practice of the Filipinos 
which they believe ensures a good crop of mangos. In 
his letter of March 6, 1915, he gives the following de- 
scription of "The smoking of mangos: A fire is built under 
the tree, then a bamboo shield Is placed so that the smoke 
from the fire Is directed upward through the branches of 
the tree. In some cases a smoke stack Is made out of bam- 
boo and placed under the tree. The fire is built under 
the hood. This is by far the most efficient method of 
having the smoke spread through the branches of the tree. 
The natives of Cavite Province start to smoke the mango 
trees the first part of August and continue until the 
flowers have been pollinated and the fruit set. The time 
consumed in smoking is about one month. Weeds, leaves and 
rubbish are used for fuel. Care should be taken not to 
let the materials blaze. This can be prevented by placing 
rice chaff, banana leaves or sawdust upon the pile to be 
burned. The smoking is performed upon trees that have and 
