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ON THE PRODUCTION OP MANNA, 
ART. XXI. — ON THE PRODUCTION OF MANNA, 
By Mr. J. Stettner. 
The Manna ash, Fraxinus onus, in the manna districts 
of Capace, Cinesi, and Fabarotto, where the best manna is 
obtained, does not form woods, as is commonly supposed, 
but is cultivated in separate plantations. These plantations 
generally present regular squares, hedged in with Cactus 
opuntia. The trees are planted in rows, and are from two 
to eight inches in diameter, with stems from ten to twenty- 
five feet high, which from the first shoot are kept smooth 
and clean. The soil is carefully loosened and freed from 
weeds. After the eighth year, the trees yield manna, which 
they continue to do from ten to twelve years, when they 
are cut down, and young shoots from the roots trained ; one 
root-stalk frequently yields from six to eight new trees and 
more. For the production of the manna, young and strong 
shoots are requisite; but they are not tapped till the tree 
ceases to push forth any more leaves, and the sap conse- 
quently collects in the stem. This period is recognized by 
the cultivators from the appearance of the leaves ; some- 
times it occurs earlier than at others, and the collection of 
the manna takes place either at the beginning of July or 
only in August. Close to the soil cross sections are made 
in the stem, and in the lowermost sections small leaves are 
inserted, which conduct the sap into a receptacle formed by 
a cactus leaf. This is the way the manna in sortie is ob- 
tained. The incisions are repealed daily in dry weather, 
and the longer they continue the more manna is obtained. 
The stems are left uninjured on one side, so that the manna 
runs down the smooth bark more easily. The next year 
the uninjured side is cut. The Manna* cannelota is 
obtained from the upper incisions, mere than forty of which 
may be counted on one tree. The sap there is not so fat as 
below, and consequently dries more easily into tubes and 
