Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1905-08-18
USES OF THE SOAP TREE
Consul Thinks II Might 5e Probably
Cultivated in America.

Consul Thinks IL Might Be Probably
Cultivated in America.
The soap tree of Algeria is described
In report by Consul Kidder at AL
giers. He says:
The Sapindus utilis is not, as Il
generally supposed, indigenous In Al
geria 1t was introduced into the coll
ony In 1s45 under the name OF Sap
indus indicus. and In 1853 a number
OF young plants grown in Algeria we're
already offered for sale In 1869 the
catalogue of the Jardin EssSi OF AL
geris gives the name OF another spe-
cies as Sapindns emarginatus, believ-
ed 10 be native OF Central America.
Both these names were erroneous.
1.-THE soap tree in Algeria differs
widely from both OF these species. II
appears to be a hybrid. and has char
aeteristics quite different from those
OF any of the known varieties coming
fson India, Japan. China, and Central
America. and il is Superior to all in
leuerai usefulness. For this reason
l'r. Trabut. director OF the botanical
services of the general Government Of
Algeria. suggested the name of Sapin-
dus utilis. which has been generally
adopted.
THE Sapindus utilis is a large tree
with smooth. straight trunk. The
plants reach to about 10 feet In height
in the first two years and begin to
bear In six years. but the fruit pro-
duction increases largely rs the tree
becomes older. The berry Is round In
appearance. but with a distinct keel
like that of walnut incircling II. 1t
is. when fresh. smooth. shiny and
translucid: the color varies from yell
lowish green to brown, In size Il varies
from half an inch TO an inch In da-
meter. Dried. II weighs from one
eighth to one-quarter of an ounce.
The seeds form about third of the
total weight. The tree when fully
grown is from 40 to so feet tall. and
produces 200 pounds of fruit annually
Several varieties produced from
seed have given poor results. The only
practical method of reproduction Ia
from cuttings These cuttings should
be planted In February In Algeria
and countries with similar climate.
They must be copiously watered dur
ing the summer.
so far the cultivation Of this tree
In Algeria has been confined to the
low-lying lands near the coast. 1.-THE
orange belt), but 1t Is believed that
H. would endure more severe eli
mate. The only large plantation Of
these trees is that OF NJ Bertrand at
his property Of Boukandoura. about
eighteen miles from Algiers. covering
some $50 acres. but there are many
small plantations. and recently the
cultivation of the tree is being largely
undertaken.
aere are 10 ..r.,,..1ortant manu.ac.
tut es OF soaptree products In Algeria.
The entire product of the plantation
referred to above went last year to
Germany. A good deal of the fruit Is
employed In its natural state. and
many chemists produce specialties
from II, such as 'saponine, an excel
lent washing powder. 'sapodine.' re-
puted hair wash. and many other ar
ticles for toilet purposes. Panama
wood. which Is extensively used in
Europe for washing, contains on an
average about per cent. Of saponine.
while the dried fruit of the soap tree
contains fully 2S per cent When
freight is taken into consideration the
difference can be easily estimated.
THE wood of the soap tree Ia also
valuable. II is fine grained, takes u
good polish. and is very suitable for
furniture. The seed contains a con-
siderable quantity of fine OIL II seems
that the cultivation of this tree might
be remunerative In California and in
our Southern States The New York
Times.