Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-03

ing homes In New England and elsewhere
in the country are FIG trees. In Paris they
decoration. 1t Is OF the same genus as the
fig tree. ana bears figs. There are nifty or
sixty kinds of fig trees, but only four spe-
cies bear edible fruit.
The fig trees stood beneath a very shady
maple. Its bark was black. and it was
covered with dark green leaves. The garden
contains no more thrifty tree. 1t Is the
black sugar maple, found IN the southern
suited to it. A Vermont maple. which
stood near, seems to be dying Of the
heat. Among the other trees is a varie-
gated crown fig from New South Wales.
lection is rounded up with the Ficus Cum
ninghan, from Queensland.
Near these figs magnificent specimen
of the candlenut tree Is seen. 1t was
brought here from the FIJI Islands by Com
modore Wilkes over fifty years ago. The
natives used these nuts in the place OF
Oil. They were suspended upon string.
hanging from the peak Of the hut. When
q visitor entered, the eldest son kindled
a fame in the lower nut, which was drawn
down to IL end Of the string. Each nut
burned about ten minutes. When the last
nut on the string was burned, 1t was a
hint for the visitor to take his departure.
Like n Tallow Dip.
A candle tree from Panama attracts
equal interest. 1t has plain leaves and a
size of and resemble a tallow dip. A tub Of
New Zealand fax recalls an interesting in
cfdent. Years ago Prof. Mackey appeared
before committee of the house of COM
mons, dressed from head to foot in an at
tire made from the fiber of this plant. Its
leaves resemble the yucca or bear grass OF
the south, but are very much longer.
Mackey proposed to plant 1t in Ireland,
fancying that it would give rise to new
inA l1Str
it was found impossible to remove the
green substance from the leaves. They
could not be bleached nor .nacerated
without spelling the fiber. The New Zea-
shells, but the job is an arduous and diffi-
cult one.
Netr the hot house we find a fragrant
olive from China. Its buds are used In
favoring tea and are very valuable. This
tree has been scattered throughout the
south, and there are many fine specimens
in Florida. A tamarind near by brought
smile to the faee of the superintendent.
Many years ago. he said, "a very worthy
Quaker sowed some tamarind seeds in Vir-
ginia. They sprcuted and came up, but
the cold weather killed all but one-at
least SO the Quaker thought. This one
grew until 1t bore seeds. and the Quaker
sold them to the seed department of the
patent office. from which point they were
distributed north, south, east and west as
virginia tanarinds They were really
IL.
which had been mistaken by the old Quak-
er for tamarird. which it somewhat re-
sembles.' Far more interesting is the ny
or ocar2us inetrfens. 1t Is native of Cey-
Ion. and grows upon the banks of it's
streams. The fruit drops into the water
and is eagerly eaten by the fish. 1t has an
lntoxioa ting effect upon them. The flesh
of such fish when eaten by human beings
also produces intoxication and is poison
Gus.
Other Vorfetao~
A camphor tree elicits the Information
from the superintendent that efforts have
been made to disseminate camphor trees
in Florida. They have also been planted
along the streets of New Orleans by Prof.
Maitre as shade trees These trees are
said to prevent malaria
Last of all worth scheduling is what IA
known as the mate. This is a fine speci-
men of this celebrated tree. The South
Americans use it's leaves for tea. Eight
million pounds of them are annually gath
cred. 1t has been in use for many centu-
ries. The Indians were drinking the de-
coction when Columbus discovered Amer
lea. Large branches are cut from the
plants and placed on hurdles until properly
roasted They are then thrown upon a
nard floor and beaten. The dry leaves Tins
knocked off are reduced to powder. This
powder Is made into packages and sold by
the South American merchants. About a
teaspoontul OF 1t is thrown into a gourd or
cup, with little sugar. Boiling water "a
poured upon it. and when sufficiently cooled
IL Is lmbibed through tube Its odor is
agreeable and slightly aromatic. 1t tastes
little bitter at first, but is extremely re-
Ireshlng and restorative after great ia
tisue. The opium eater will drop his habit
quicker than South American will drop
the habit of drinking this tea. Superin-
tendent Smith is making an effort to intro
duce the tree into Dade county, Florida,
n hn
The handsomest tree along the walk is a
cut-iea1 SOFT maple This curiosity in the
vegetable kingdom is on a par with the
albino In the animal kingdom. The tree
was originally found in the mountains by
nurseryman of the name of Weir, who
perpetuated it by nursing and grating
Near by Is an enormous Scotch birch. II
has bark like that of balm of Gilead A
liberal application of it aided in the educa-
ton of the superintendent of the Botanic
Garden, and has also aided in the education
Oh many another prominent Scotchman.