Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1911-06-19

The original introduction of tho soap
NM tree into this country is TO be ac-
credited to the Rev. Benjamin Helm, a
missionary, who brought some seeds
from China. about % years ago. From
these seeds only one fully developed
tree is in existence. a report was pub
lished by Mr.. Kidder. United States
consul at Algiers, at the instigation OF
the writer. dealing with the economical
value of the soap-nut tree. At that
time Q9O5) the value of the solitary
seed bearing sOap-nut tree in TINS
country was not known to its possessor
Today he is satisfied that he has there
in an extremely profitable asset.
Introduction of Seeds.
At the beginning Of 1905, after read
ing the report of the American consul,
I imported seeds from Algiers and dis
tributed them free to persons interest
ed. Every year since that time 1 have
bought from the owner of the tree all
the seeds he could spare, which meant
nearly the whole Of his crop, and have
made a gift Of them to the people of
all the southern states, and also Of 10
foreign countries in which that tree
can be raised and brought To full de-
velopment II is u conservative esti-
mate to place the number of trees now
growing in Florida at 100000. In Jack
sonvilIe and DuvaI county alone there
are about 100, O0O.
This movement attracted the atten-
ton of Mr.. David Fairchild Of the Blu
reau of Plant Industry, Department Of
Agriculture, who took a great interest
in the work and raised its scope to ma
tional Importance, when he imported
seeds from China for free distribution.
Some Of these also have found their
destination in jacksonville. ! do not
know precisely what number of seeds
were distributed by the government.
The Usefulness of the Tree.
The Fruit - Extended experiments
carried out by me and by scientific
workers of recognized authority have
demonstrated that the fruit (sOap nuD
and the kernel of the seed furnish the
raw materials for a score of toilet arti-
cles Of very considerable commercial
value. In the preparation Of those
products in which the saponaceous
principle is the essential constituent
the hull of the seed supplies the raw
material. The kernel contains 10 sapo-
naceous matter, but furnishes a fixed
oil, which for culinary purposes is
equal, and in the estimation Of some
even superior to olive oil. The oil
can also be used for making a soap
that viii easily compete with the best
imported CASTLE soap.
The soap-nut has also a certain ther-
apeutic value. Its medicinal virtues,
according to reliable authorities. are
thus described:
The soap-nut is used internally In
cases Of salvation. epilepsy. and as an
eXpectorant The seeds, pounded with
water, are said often to put an end to
a paroxysm Of epilepsy when a small
quantity is introduced into the pa
TENTS mouth. The fruit is also rec
commended by native practitioners for
the cure Of chlorosis
The Leaves and Wood-The leaves
make good fodder, and the cakes
from the press, after the oil is extract
ed from the kernel, are relished by
poultry and all kinds of stock
The wood is closely grained. takes
a good polish, and is admirably adapt-
ed for furniture. In color it resembles
orange wood. Considering that the
soap-nut tree grows TO height Of so
feet when fully developed, it will be