THE ECONOMIC HOUSE 61 
tropics than the apple is with us. There are many varieties of mango 
in cultivation, and the fruit varies in size from the size of a plum to 
fruit weighing 4 or 5 pounds apiece. The flavor also varies greatly. 
The skin of the fruit is yellow or scarlet; the aroma is tempting and 
spicy; the flesh is yellow and juicy, with a flavor between that of an 
apricot and a pineapple. Akbar, the great emperor of the sixteenth 
century, planted a grove of 100,000 mango trees, some of which are 
still standing. In some regions 0 the world the flowers are used in 
religious ceremonies, and celebrations are held in honor of the tree. 
Manihot Glaziovia, or CEARA RUBBER TREE, a native of Brazil, belongs 
to the Euphorbiaceae, or Spurge family. The tree is naturalized in 
many tropical countries. It grows rapidly, and reaches a height of 
40 feet. It is the chief source of Ceara rubber. A tree 4 years old 
will, under favorable conditions, yield a full crop of rubber. 
Manihot utilitissima, or Cassava, is a related species from which is 
secured the tapioca of commerce. The large fleshy roots contain a 
poisonous principle that is removed by washing in water. The roots 
are reduced to a pulp, which is mixed with water. The fine starch 
settles to the bottom of the vessel. The water is poured off and the 
starch is dropped on hot plates, where stirring causes it to form into 
round pellets, or the pearl form of commerce. 
Melia Azedarach, or CHINA-TREE, or CHINA-BERRY, is a member of the 
Meliaceae, the family to which mahogany belongs. The tree is a 
native of the Himalayan region, but is now widely cultivated and has 
naturalized itself throughout our southern states, as well as in many 
other sections of the world. It is a beautiful shade tree, with fragrant 
lilac flowers, and yellow berries that are eaten by birds and cattle. 
In some countries the seeds are used for making rosaries. The wood 
is coarse, but durable and handsomely marked, and is valuable for 
cabinet making. In Australia the tree is known as white cedar, and 
the wood is used for many purposes. The leaves, flowers, and fruit 
are all reputed to have medicinal qualities. The tree is not to be 
eo with the soapberry, which is also called China tree in the 
outh., 
Melicocca bijuga, or GEN1P TREE, or SPANISH LIME, is a member of the 
Sapindaceae, to which the soapberry and litchi belong. The tree is a 
native of Central America, cultivated in Florida and California, and 
naturalized in the West Indies. The fruit, which is sometimes known 
as honeyberry, is the size of a plum, green or yellow in color, and with 
the flavor of grapes. It is eaten uncooked. The seeds are some- 
times roasted like chestnuts. The fruit is also known as Jamaica 
bullace plum. 
Mcringa oleifera (M. pterygosperma), or Horse RapIsH TREE, belongs 
to the Moringaceae, a family with no local representatives. The tree, 
which grows to a height of 25 feet, is a native of India, but is natural- 
ized in the West Indies, and in parts of the United States. It bears 
showy, fragrant, whitish flowers, followed by pods a foot to a foot and 
a half long. The seeds are known as ben-nuts, and yield an oil used 
