The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1908-05-08
THE soAP-NUT TREE SEED

THE soAP-NUT TREE SEED
AT the beginning of the year 1905
the Hon. Mr.. Kidder. then Trnitoa
states consul at Algiers CAlgeria) pub
lShed a report on the soap tree in
uoStry. He described the tree as fol-
lows: "1ne Algerian soap tree orig
mated from China, and has been nro-
pagated by seeds exported from that
country. The name is given as Sapin-
aus utilis. The tree is ornamental
and reaches a height of fifty feet II
begins to bear fruit when six years
Old. The wood is close grained. takes
a good polish, and sadmirabIv suita.
bic for furniture. The average GRO,
OF a full-grOwn tree is about 200
pounds OF fruit The average income
from tree is from $40 10 $50 par
year. The composition of the fruit
consists in a nut-shape hull in which
is a seed.
In the hull exists a saponaceous
matter (sapOnine) in the proportion
OF so TO 40 per cent. of the bulk of the
hull This saponaceous principle is
set free by the shredding of the hull
and using it with water just as if it
were a piece Of soap. A beautiful
lather is the result, and the cleansing
qualities are such that there is no
soap made by human process that
can compare with them.
For toilet purposes the same ap-
plies. No human skill can produce or
approach that marvellous product of
nature. The hull can also be made in
to a powder, and the powder into 4
cake, so as TO make the use of it cas-
! Ter. II can also be made into a L
/ guild for hair wash. dentifrice, and
various other preparations, and these
various articles can be made by such
simple process or processes that in
every household the commodity will
/ become a source OF economy, of rec
reation and of pleasure.
The seed has a kernel which, con-
tains a fixed oil in every respect pre-
ferable TO the best imported olive oil.
either for eatable or culinary purpOs-
es. and also for all kinds of industrial
- NH oh h. ni1
used. The yield OF oil in that kernel
is twice the yield of the olive fruit:
and when the production reaches an
| imDortance necessitating the use Of
the proper machinery, the oil will BE-
produced as cheaply, if not more
cheaply. than cOttonseed oil. For a
solid shortening the delicious flavor
of that oil will surpass anything ever
produced.
las a feed for poultry and other an
imals' feed. the expressed product is
excellent. The leaves of the soap-nut
trees supply a fodder Of unequalled
value.
Medical authorities assert that the
soapnut may be used internally in
cases of salvation, epilepsy, and as
an expectorant. The seeds, pounded
with water. are said to arrest a par
oxysm of epilepsy. The fruit is also
recommended by native practitioners
for the cure of chlOrOsis.
The foreg going relates to the Alger-
ian soap tree, the seed of which +
Noulie. a Southern perfumer, import
cd in 1905 and 1906 for free distribu-
tion hut it applies equally well to the
Florida SOAP tree. The discovery q
fuIl-grown soap tree in Florida, OWL
ID bv Mr.. J. H. Livingston of Ocal2'
Fla was due TO Mr.. MOule's puoh-
cations of the report of the Amerl-
can consul referred 10. The tree
also came originally from China, some
seeds having been imported twenty
two years ago by the Rev. Benjamin
Holm who was a missionary in that
country. Although these two species
hear the same name, they are diner
emf varieties. The United States de-
n.rtmant of agriculture identified the
American variety as Sapindus muko-
rossi. and it is the seed Of this varle-
~ that Mr.. Moulie is now gratultous-
" distributing to thsOe who care 10
o,nlv RI bim.-Scientific American.