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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 6

Pithecolobium Saman.—

Pithecolobium Saman.—

Bombay, Northern Division.—

Mr. Shuttleworth reports:—" Success was very fair; germination took place in 8 to 10 days, and at the end of the year some of the plants were from 6 to 8 feet high. . . In Satara 400 plants are thriving, and seem to be hardy and able to stand drought during the cold and hot weather months."

Bombay, Southern Division.—

Col. Peyton reports:—" Came up splendidly everywhere. About 2,500 plants were raised from the small parcel of seed received. The growth is very rapid and vigorous, and many of the plants put out have attained a height of from 3 to 8 feet. To germinate them they require copious watering, and some are now noticed germinating over the old sowings of last year."

Burma.—

Major Seaton reports: " Pitliecolobium Soman has been distributed throughout the Pegu page 25 circle, and from all quarters is reported to have grown luxuriantly."

Calcutta.—

Dr. King reports:—"The rain trees in this garden seeded for the second time, and large quantities both of seed and seedlings have been distributed. The sweet succulent pod of this tree is said to be an excellent food for cattle, and if it proves acceptable to the Indian bullock the rain tree may become highly useful as a fodder plant, while its rapid growth and umbrageous habit will certainly make it a favourite for planting by road sides and near cantonments."

Dr. King further informs me:—"Pithecolobium Saman seeds in India only in the Botanic Garden, Calcutta, and our trees are quite unequal to supply the demand. It seeds also in Ceylon, but Dr. Thwaites told me that he had great difficulty in saving the pods from frugivorous bats. At Calcutta, where the same species of bat is common, it has not found out yet how nice the pods are."

Saharunpore.—

Mr. Duthie reports:—" The effect of the cold season on this plant obviously indicates the undesirability of attempting its extensive cultivation in this part of India."

Sind.—

Major McRae:—"The seed sown last July has succeeded very well, the plants (a month later) being of an average of over 6 feet in height."

Tasmania.—

Mr. Abbott reports:—" From seeds received from Kew, plants of Pithecolobium Saman have been raised . . . . It is probably better suited for cultivation in warm climates, but hitherto the plaints have done well with us."

The receipts have been during the past year 3,754 living plants of all kinds, and 2,900 packets, bags, and boxes of seeds from 196 contributors. They were distributed as follows:—
Ward's Cases. Packets of Seeds. Stove and, Greenhouse Plants. Herbaceous Plants. Trees and Shrubs. Number of Contributors.
Britain 350 656 511 587 102
Continent 599 124 185 389 15
Asia 7 740 218 5 4 24
Africa 6 102 128 158 20
America 5 743 234 53 443 22
Australia and New Zealand. 2 366 59 13
Total 20 2,900 1,419 912 1,423 196