OTHER


TROPICAL


FRUITS.


the animals upon the stones. The inhabitants of these
countries also boast of the medicinal qualities of the date-
fruit, and of the numerous uses to which the different pro-
ductions of this tree may be applied. From the leaves they
make couches, baskets, bags, mats, and brushes; from the
branches or stalks, cages for their poultry and fences for
their gardens ; from the fibers of the trunk, thread, ropes,
and rigging; from the sap, a spirituous liquor; and the
body of the trees furnishes fuel.
 The date-palm is propagated from the seeds and suckers,
but more successfully from the former. The cultivation of
this fruit should be greatly extended, as it may become an
important and profitable resource of the inhabitants of
Southern Florida. The bunches or clusters of this fruit


often attain a weigh
 THE SHADDOCK
bidden fruit).-This
Indies by Captain SI
ent name. There ar
is useful or desirable
large size, frequently;


t of fifteen pounds.
(sometimes called mock-orange, or for-
was brought from China to the West
haddock, from whom it derives its pres-
e at least six varieties, only one of which
Sas a fruit. Some of these attain a very
y weighing ten to fourteen pounds. It


is chiefly used for ornament
sorts of oranges are presented
addition to the varieties in the
desirable variety of this fruit


fruit.
acid
from
fruit
wortl
pulp,
pies,


or show, and where several
at dessert it forms a striking
way of contrast. The most
is sometimes called grape-


 It possesses a reddish pulp, with most agreeable sub-
sweetness, and is excellent for quenching thirst; and
the thickness of its rind will keep longer than the
of any other of the citrus family. This variety is well
h cultivating for the excellence of its solid, vinous
which furnishes a substitute for other acid fruits in
tarts, jellies, etc.


 LoQuAT.-This fruit is known in the South as the Japan
plum. The tree is an evergreen, and grows ten to twelve
feet high, and is desirable in every Southern garden on