The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-12-22
SPICES.

The Cloue-tree, Gnava and Pomearanate,
all belong TO the Myrtle family. The stem Of
q full-grown clove-tree is from eight totwelye
inches, and sometimes considerably more, in
circumference, and the highest branches usu-
ally from forty to 6fty feet above the ground;
though there are many trees not higher than
a cherry tree, and laden all over with fruit.
The tree does not begin to bear till seven or
eight years old, but remains fertile till seven
ty-five OF hundred years old. II is native
of the East, but it is now cultivated in the
West Indies and other parts of the world.
The best variety is the Ambona Glove. The
name is derived from the French word signi-
flying aail-to which the spice is somewhat
similar. The cloDe is the bud, and is found
on the end OF the branches. The annual pro-
duction Of good tree is from four to five
pounds. When young the buds are nearly
white, and gradually change into gray and
ihen 70 bright red, when it is ready TO be
gathered. This is done either by hand or
beating with bamboo canes. Mats are spread
under the tree 70 catch the buds as they fall.
They are then dried in the sun, and when dry
ARE at once marketable. The leaves, the
bark and new branches posses apeculiar arc
ma. In Zanzibar the Tower stalks are gath
cred, and meet with ready sale.
The NNtmegls native OF the Moucas. IL
is largely cultivated in Sumatra, aud has been
introduced into the West Indies. When the
Europeans first came 10 the islands, all the
nutmegs with which the world was supplied
came from FIVE islands. The Dutchmen en-
ployed the labor Of slaves and eonvicts for
the cultivation Of the tree for long time.
The Isle Of Lontar, where there IS a fark Of
nutmeg trees, is considered one Of the most
charming spots on the globe. AT the time Of
the crops the trees are completely covered
with nuts, and over them the giant canari
trees spread their branches, 10 protect the
precious fruit from the heavy winds, which
but for these guards, would destroy both tree
and fruit. Tho nutmeg IS the kernel found
within the stone or nut of the tree. The nut
has shining black shell, which Is itself sur
rounded by layers Of the substance known AS
Mace. There are two kinds Of Bullnees- -one
Of an oval shape, the product Of a Wild plant
1.-THE other nearly round il raised from the
plant under cultivation, and much superior 70
The formes The nutmeg is much employed
in eo0kingi but il said % possess great mar
colic powers Il taken ID Large quantities, and
should therefore be used with care.
CINNAMON isthe inner bark Of i tree which
Crews both in The East and West Indies.
The best quality Is scarcely thicker than pa
per, and comes ID long piceesi If light vel
iae color. Tbs dark colof9d cinnamon il
Inferior.
Biaek Pepper This IS The fruit Of me
pepper vine 81 ths East midas. When pnr.
CHASED ground, il Is almost universally adult
GRATED. The ordinary pepper 81 the shops
does not contain more than ia eighth ors;xth
part of genuine pepper, and be very best
only cne hall HE real being ground rice Or
husks Of musiafa II Iva powerful stimulani,
caflninaie and rubeiacient, IS condiment
peculiarly useful to people Of cold habits or
weak digestion.