1 Dec., 1899.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 583: 
Peaberry is the result of the failure, for some reason or other, of its fellow- 
germ to fructify. There are naturally in the embryo berry two cells, and it 
would appear that under certain circumstances one of the Cells, on coming in 
contact with the pollen, will fructify while the other will not. 
That it is so is clear on examination of the peaberry where the atrophied 
germ is discernable, and its envelope of parchment skin, folded together, still in 
its place within the “pulp.” ‘The reason why the pistils should convey the 
pollen to one ovule and fail to fructify the other, is the point that is not 
thoroughly understood yet, and not the state of the tree in which it is most 
liable to this condition, as your correspondent seems t6 think. 
The peaberry is a malformation, and generally takes place when the tree: 
is weak or in a state of low vitality, and this condition may be brought about by 
unfavourable conditions of soil, climate, or cultivation. A. tree overbearing will 
produce a larger percentage of peaberry than one with a more moderate crop, 
eyen though conditions of soil and climate are ay favourable as could be desired. 
The shape of the malformed growth is somewhat as your correspondent 
states. It was thought at one time that it was the production of a special 
variety of coffee-bush— at any rate, by those who had to do only with the cured 
article ; and there are many yet that still adhere to this fallacy, due chiefly to: 
the fact of its being graded separately. 
Peaberry obtains its higher value in the market chiefl y on account of the 
advantage of its shape in roasting. Being easier to roast uniformly, it is 
supposed to contain a greater percentage of caffeine or aromatic properties, but 
this is exceedingly doubtful Its presence on the tree is of doubtful advantage 
also. A large percentage of “P.B.” g rade—indicating, as it does, impaired 
vitality—although its price is enhanced, is yet a long way short of the value of 
the double bean in the normal growth. 
As a seed for propagation, “P.B.” germinates readily, but repeated 
experiments have been able to show no advantage in the erowth, stamina, or 
bearing capabilities of its production over that of the bi-lobe; nor does the 
plant raised from a peaberry show any special tendency to produce peaberries. 
“ Male” Trees.—Vhe coffee-tree is, as is well known, hermaphrodite ; it is 
aso well known that in such cases generally the contact of pollen from another 
tree or blossom obtains better results than its own pollen. It may be, theretore,. 
that the peaberry is due, to a certain extent, to continued self-fertilising of the 
plant or “in-breeding.” 
It is supposed that the plant commonly called the “male” coffee-tree is 
due to this cause. However this may be among seedlings in a nursery, there is 
always found a small percentage of plants that appear with long narrow leaves, 
eyes closer together than ordinary, anda smaller and more stunted erowth 
altogether. ‘ 
Tn cultivating these in the field, it is found they bear very little, although 
they blossom freely. (I have never yet met with one that did hot bear at all.) 
The flower is somewhat smaller than that of the ordinary tree, but would 
structurally appear to be identical. It is supposed that the want of fertility is 
due to some malformation of the stigma or ovules, since the pollen is perfectly 
fertile when applied to other blossoms. 
This tendency to produce blossom that will not fertilise, yet will fertilise 
others, has earned for this long-leayed tree the sobriquet of “male” coffee. 
Whether the presence of such trees in an estate is Nature's own remedy for a 
too long-continued course of “in-breeding,” and is, therefore, of advantage, is 
a moot point. Generally the plant is considered useless and unnecessary (since 
the other trees, being hermaphrodite, can do without it), and since it bears so 
little, is not considered “worth its keep.” It is, therefore, usually picked out 
and thrown away as early as it shows the tell-tale narrow long leat in the 
germinating bed or nursery. 
