Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1848-05-18

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Methodist Magazine by Joseph Roberts, Wes-
! leyan Missionary on that island;
The numerous uses of this tree are truly aston
ishng. To proceed with order shall begin with
its leaf which may be taken off at the age of two
years. OF this the natives make all their books,
which are in manuscript, executed with'a iron in
strument called Eluttane. The Eadu (book) is
generally from fftee to eighteen inches in length;
and will endure as long, or longer, than the best
parchment. Nearly all their deeds, wills, &C., are
made of this leaf which has led government to
keep quantity stamped in every cutchery to prove
all agreements made thereon legal. That the
same article of which is made book should furn-
ish thatch for a house, may appear strange; but
it is the fact The most violent rains will seldom
penetrate through it and it will endure two years
All their strong mats, which are used for many
purposes, owe their origin to this leaf; also do
their sacks or bags, in which they carry grain to
the bazaar For buckets or baskets, the Maabar
is not indebted to the oser, or the oak. He has
only to ascend his favorite tree; and he is furn-
ished with an article to contain his vegetables or
fruit, and another to draw his water from the we'll
From the fibres of the stalk he manufactures
strong rope, which serves for almost every do
mestc purpose. To free his garden or yard from
impurities, he needs not the birchen broom he
only takes part of the leaf called Eckel, and his
wants are supplied. AS for fan to refresh him,
or to defend him from the bite of the fierce mus
quito he finds it at once in this most useful leaf
Poor European descendants are not like their pro-
genitors, indebted for their hats to the beaver or
the hare. This leaf forms cover for both sexes
from the weather or the sun. And to make the hat
or bonnet something like (as he considers) those
in Europe, about which he talks so much and
knows so little the plats are varied IN color The
Malabar's pouch, IN which he puts his tobacco,
chunam beetle-nut, and knife, without which he
would feel as much at loss as a school-boy with
out pocket, is taken from this leaf. Of this he
makes his garden-fence; and by it is supplied
with an umbrella to defend him from the sun.
Themale tree bears no fruit; but the flowers
when given to cows make them produce greater
quantity of milk They are also used for medicl-
nal purposes and are said to be of an anti-febrile
nature From this tree is extracted liquor called
Kallu or TOddy, said to be very wholesome, which
is carried to the market in a vessel made of the
leaf Thus the poor Cody is supplied with cheap
and wholesome beverage, simply drawn from ma
lures springs However, it must be confessed,
that be has too often recourse to his much loved
chunam, which soon produces fermentation in the
LIQUOR, and deep intoxicatlon in the drinker. The
eggary, or sugar made of this, is certainly coarse;
but il satisfies their palate and their wants. Lime,
used for plastering, or in good wallis is generally
mixed with jaggery, which makes the work sus-
ceptable of very high polish, and renders it ex-
ceedingly durable From this, too, our tables are
supplied with vinegar; and the baker with yeast.
If distilled it would yield good arrack.
The fruit, when half ripe, is called noonku, and
contains fresh geatinous pulp which is much
esteemed. When ripe it yields an article of food
for the wet monsoon. This preserve is called pr
natu and is prepared by simply spreading the pulp
on mat and exposing it few days to the sun.
When it is mixed with rce-four is said to make
an excellent cake.
But must not forget to mention another lmpor-
tant advantage derived from this invaluable tree.
The preserve or pinnatu, if always taken alone,
would prove too luscious for the stomach; but
alnple provision is made to counteract this evil -
When the seed has been in the ground about three
months II Yields fine bubous root of fconical form,
about fifteen inches in length, which, when boiled,
is exceedingly simple and nutricious. From this
is also made Cruel, which is administered to the
sick. When the tree is cut down, the tender shoot
makes good pickle.
To conclude the timber of this tree is consd-
ered for rafters, laths and spouts the best In In
dia. Great quantities are exported to the Contl-
nent. To give an idea of its extent it needs only
to be stated, that in 1911 the amount of export du:
ty on this article alone amounted to twenty three
thousand and five hundred rix dollars
Having given this unadorned and minute de-
scrption the reader is left to make such reflections
as the cast of his genius may suggest. One thing,
may safely say, that piety may here find sub
lect for astonishmept and praise.
GeoD.---There is shop kept by an old maid
in Southampton, in the window OF which ap-
pears these words. in large le.'ers'''" No reas-
onabte offer refused"