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H. H.--COFFEE.--The coffee-tree grows wild in Asia and Africa. It
sometimes grows to a great height, but is usually kept down by cutting
to about five feet, so that the berries can be easily picked. The plant
is raised from the seed, and is set out in the coffee plantations when
one year old. It begins to bear when three years old, and continues
productive for twenty years. The leaves are evergreen, and the flowers
and fruit are often seen upon it at the same time, as, like the fig, it
bears several crops during the year. The fruit looks like a cherry, is
red or dark purple, sweet, and good to eat. The seeds of the fruit,
gathered and dried, produce our coffee beans. Coffee has been used by
Oriental nations for ages, but it was introduced into Europe about three
hundred years ago. The first coffee-house was opened in London in 1652.
A French gentleman, Captain Desclieux, brought the first coffee-plants
to America, about one hundred and fifty years ago. He procured them from
the Jardin des Plantes (Garden of Plants) in Paris. The sea was rough,
and the voyage was long, and finally the crew and passengers were put on
an allowance of drinking water; but the good captain divided his with
his coffee-trees, and succeeded in bringing one safely to Martinique.
All the coffee-plants in America came from that one.
Coffee is grown in Brazil, Java, Sumatra, India, Ceylon, Arabia,
Abyssinia, Central America, the West Indies, Venezuela, the United
States of Colombia, and Peru. The very best is Mocha, which comes from
Arabia; but the next best, which is good enough for epicures, is brought
from Java. A good deal of so-called Java coffee, however, comes from
Brazil, which raises half the coffee in the world.
* * * * *
Dellie H. Porter writes that her stock of tomahawks is exhausted, and
that she received nearly five hundred applications, and of course could
not answer them individually. She hopes no one will be offended at her
silence.
P. H. Mayer has no more minerals.
* * * * *
L. C. H.--Insert an advertisement of inquiry in the Melbourne papers.
You may hear of your brother in that way.
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Sammie Risien, Groesbeck, Texas, wishes to hear from Charlie K. S., Lake
Eutis, Florida, with regard to the culture of the pine-apple. Please
tell him, first, when you plant the pine-apple to produce a crop;
second, Can the plants be sent by mail?
* * * * *
S. R.--Carbolic soap will probably alleviate the sufferings of your
unfortunate dog. Wash him thoroughly with the soap and tepid water at
least once a week. Spratt's soap is sold by dog-fanciers for the purpose
of destroying fleas.
* * * * *
JOHN J. H.--Directions for building such a boat as you desire were
published in YOUNG PEOPLE No. 23, Vol. I.
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Leigh Wilson, Bolckow, Missouri, wishes to know the address of a
forgetful correspondent who sent soil and stone in a parlor match box,
without name or residence. W. A. Miller, Tarrytown, New York, wishes a
similar favor from a correspondent named Elliott.
* * * * *
Nettie Prau, John M. Furman, and H. Jagoe withdraw from our exchange
list, their supplies being exhausted.
* * * * *
H. E.--Both new and cancelled stamps are available in a collection.
Postmarks are not marks on stamps, but are the marks placed on letters
at the post-offices to indicate when they are sent and when received.
* * * * *
Correct answers to puzzles have been received from Sammie Risien, Lewis
A. Storrs, Eddie S. Hequembourg, _Robert R. F._, J. W. and D. A. S.,
Susie Howes, "_Chiquor_," "Tim and Tip," "Venus," Clare Campinan,
"School-Boy," "Old King Cole," Lyman Shorey, "Princess Daisy,"
"Lodestar," "Will O. Tree," _W. R. Githens_, Alice C. Hammond, Bert
Fuller, R. N. Pepper, "Comet," Mary E. Burchard, Luella M. Harper.
* * * * *