The Divi Divi Tree, 
(CHSALPINIA CORTARIA, WILLDENOW.) 
By E. COWLEY, 
Manager, Kamerunga Nursery, Cairns. 
[ars tree is, perhaps, known better by its vernacular name of “ Divi Divi,” the 
derivation of which seems to be obscure. It has, however, a pleasant sound, 
and seems to have, as the Americans say, “taken on.” Seeds of Divi Divi were ~ 
obtained from the East Indies, and experimented with in North Queensland. : 
The tree, however, is a native of Central America, on the wet sea-shores of sy 
which countries it is, according to Baron von Mueller, found indigenous. If 
would seem, from good authority, and from experiments made at an altitude of _ 
‘about 90 feet in North Queensland, that it is not confined to the sea-coast 
Messrs. J. P. William and Brothers, of Henaratgoda, Ceylon, in their deserip 
tive list of tropical seeds and plants for 1897, say:—“The Divi Divi tree _ 
thrives on any soil from the sea-level up to 2,500 feet, and begins to bear from 
the fifth or sixth year, according to the nature of the soil. The produce = 
increases yearly; a net profit of nine rupees per ton per annum has already 
been derived from twenty-five years old trees.” he tree yields curled pods, ; 
containing generally one seed only; it is somewhat difficult to dislodge the 
seed from its covering, which is hard and somewhat fibrous. The seeds once 
obtained and planted in a shaily nursery a few inches apart germinate freely, 
and when the plants are about a foot high they should be transplanted into 
‘the field to permanent places. The distance apart must depend on 
the quality of the soil, and the purposes for which they are planted 
If planted on good soil for a crop of pods, they should be - fully 
20 feet apart, as at this distance they will be nearly touching each 
other after five years. Perhaps 25 feet apart would not be too distant; but if 
planted for the purpose of shading out pestiferous weeds, of which I shall ri 
speak later on, they may be planted much closer. he plant is hardy; andif- 
a small area round the stem be kept clear of weeds, the tree will erowand 
assertitself, It would not seem that the statement made by some writers in _ 
regard to its wind-resisting ability in some countries is quite correct, as far as 
Queensland is concerned. I have scen several trees almost overturned by the 
very strong winds of North Queensland, but it is by no means a tender- 
branched plant. The top is very large, but of no great height, and spreads 
over the area of a circumference of 180 feet, while the topmost branchlet is 
not more than 15 feet from the ground. The flowers are yellow, and havea 
very agreeable odour, which, when the tree is in full flower, attracts ‘ 
innumerable insects. Many rare bectles have been found enjoying themselves 
on them; so that the Divi Divi tree, in flower, affords a good hunting-ground — 
for the entomologist—one where new or rare specimens might often be found. 
The family Cesalpinia seems to be a very economic one, and contains many 
members useful in dyeing, hedge-making, flower bearing, and tanning; Divi 
Divi is useful in affording by its pods an excellent tanning material. It is . 
regarded in India as the most powerful and quickly acting tanning principle 
in that country. The dried pods are worth from £10 to £12 per ton in the — 
London market, and each tree is said by Von Mueller to afford 100 lb. of pods» 
per annum when the tree has become mature. Besides tanning, a dye, 
together with substance for making ink, is obtained from the pods. %y 
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