1062 
Gareinia mangostana L. (Clusiaceae . ) 43481. Seeds 
of Mangosteen from Peradenlya, Ceylon. Presented by 
Mr. C. Drleberg, Secretary, Ceylon Agricultural So- 
ciety. "A moderate-sized conical tree, with large 
leathery leaves, Indigenous to Malaya. Its globular 
purplish brown fruit, about the size of an apple, is 
famed as one of the most delicious fruits of the 
tropics, some writers describing it as 'perhaps the 
most luscious fruit in the world, partaking of the 
flavor of the strawberry and the grape.' The delicate 
white juicy pulp surrounding and adhering to the seed 
is the part eaten. In striking contrast to it is the 
dense, thick, reddish rind, containing tannic acid 
and a dye. The fruit is in season in the low country 
of Ceylon from April to June, and at higher elevations 
from June to August or September. Here it is usually 
sold in the markets, or hawked about, at 75 cents 
(Ceylonese) to 1 rupee per dozen; (24 to 32 cents U.S. 
gold.) It is always charged for on hotel menus as an 
extra. The tree is of very slow growth, and does not 
usually come into bearing till about nine or ten 
years old.. The essential conditions for it are a hot, 
moist climate, and deep, rich well-drained soil. It 
thrives up to 1500 feet elevation in the moist region, 
but may also be grown In moderately dry districts 
with irrigation. Propagation is usually by seed, but 
may also be effected by gootee or layering. Sow seeds , 
in pots under cover. The plants are of very slow ~ 
growth, taking about two years to become large enough 
for planting out, being then' only about 12 inches 
high." (Macmillan, Handbook of Tropical Gardening & 
Planting, p. 164 & 165.) 
Hex paraguariensis St. Hilaire. (-Aquif oliaceae . ) 
43456. Seeds of Yerba de mate from Argentina. Collected 
by Mr. H. M. Curran. A small, bushy, evergreen tree 
with serrate alternate leaves, native of Brazil and 
Paraguay and the neighboring countries. The leaves 
are roasted and ground to make . the Paraguay-tea of 
commerce, which is said to possess the good properties 
of tea and coffee without their after-effects. In the 
hospitals of Paris it is used as a stimulant. The 
Yerba groves are located in remote regions, and grow 
be^t on high land at an elevation of 1,000 to 2,000 
feet, in soft alluvial soil or soil rich in humus. 
The seed is very difficult to germinate, and without 
special treatment requires a year before it will come 
up. An opinion prevails that these seeds will ger- 
