The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1882-02-15
Extracts from the Report of the
Trinidad Botanic Gardens.
(COnti7aued.)

unfortunately crowded not only by
themselves, but by other larger
trees quite near and do not in con-
sequence develop flower buds SC
readily as otherwise-even in this
for them, too uniformly hot climate
they would in all probability do.
There are also in the Gardens two
other Nepheliums,-M Mora and
NJ LOn9a1a, but neither ever flowers,
although both are healthy and vig-
orous the Longan very much so.
Early last year however, one OF
the Litchees Powered, and moderate
crop OF very excellent fruit followed.
These fruits were largely distributed
to residents and with them OF course
the seeds, so that the stock of seed
lings is not as extensive as otherwise
it would have been.
This is now the third time crop Of
Litchee fruits has been obtained dur~
ing the last Is years, and the fruits
funess, now seems TO have been due
to all unusually dry and hot autumn
season, the effect of which on trees
is TO ripen the wood last produced,
and induce the formation of flower
buds instead OF, as usually happens,
Leaf buds Tor the succeeding spring
growth.
The fruit is invariably relished as
delicious by all, the consistence and
flavor OF the flesh being very like
that OF high class muscat grape.
Visitors as well as residents familiar
with this fruit in the East, pronounce
the specimens produced here as very
superior both in size and flavor.
The strong resemblance of the
flavor and consistence to that OF a
muscat grape, and the TACT that the
juice in termenting gave off a very
powerful and agreeable vinous flavor
suggested to me the possible utiliza-
ton OF the fruit as a wine source. |
was therefore induced to obtain the
able assistance OF Professor Nc earthly
the Government Analys for analysis
OF the fruit, and which he has kindly
furnished as follows -
MECHANICAL EXAMINATION,
F!eshy matter 7O.19p. ct.
Sl1in etc. 11.69
Seeds 1872
Total 10000
-saa a. CHEMICAL EXAMINATION.
Sugar principally Lev
uloSe fruit sugar,
Dextrose also present 16 061 p. ct.
Acid estimated at Tartar
ic, AIalic also present 1861 g
AlbuminOuS substances,
pectine, gum, fat. etc. 3.41S 6
Ash $50 GO
Fleshy matter soluble in
water 2O.76Q p. ct.
Water 5000 g
Insoluble substance (not
estinated) and lost 3.170
Total 100000
The fleshy matter alone was chemically ex-
The skin contains only trace of Tannic acid.
Jottrtrrat ~ he onanity of fruit
= a. d eJc:s. t's. 20 sufficient TO
~: ".e nt.>"i Xperiment as
- lht ii ~ the Juice Tor
wm9 nakn :, I'd o i have not
been able TO lear. ,"cether any at
tempt Ia eve. Le>l r,ade in Mauri-
tiua and the Est, vita like object.
II Sc, rs dcsirle Ia refore that
the subject shovld he brought under
notice OF those who reside where
Litchees are produced in such abun>
dance as TO make experiment easily
practicable - Maumtius, Singapore
China, etc, tor with the fruit prov~
ing satisfactory for wine making-it
matters not whether OF a kind suit
able for consumption in the tropics
as cultivation in sub-tropical, or in
tropical countries at sufficient eleva~
ton to present sub-tropical condit-
ions, this fine fruit unhampered by
the pests which of late so largely
overtaken the grape vine would be
OF immense value.
1t has been suggested to me as al
obstacle in the wav of this fine fruit
being utilized as a wine source-th,
large size and acridity OF the seed
In the small experiment made as t,
the extraction of the juice however
! found that both the rather hare
skin Tor shelly and the pulp could ~
completely reduced, and the juic
extracted without the least brusin,
OF the seed coat, and unless the see'
be not only bruised but quite crush
ed its acridity is not perceptible.
Fortunately TOO, the seed is yer.
smooth, and Is disengaged from tn
pulp by slight pressure. Indeed,
would appear that sucn pressure a
that given to grapes by treadlns
would be fully effective as a mean
N tor crushing and letting out the iuicl