Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser

THE MAGNY MANTI TREE.

This tree yields to none in point of utility. It grows copiously in New Spain, and affords water, wine, oil, vinegar, honey, syrup, thread, needles, &c. The inhabitants plant more or less of them, next to every house: it grows as well in the fields provided it has proper attendance and care. It has broad and thick leaves with sharp points, which serve for needles; and the points torn off, there follows out of the leaf a tough kind of hair, fit for sewing.

The branch is cut off when still young and tender, and a cavity being let in the tree, a liquor runs out like water, fresh and sweet; if boiled it acquires the quality of wine; in length of time turns to vinegar, and if continued longer boiling, and strained, resembles honey; but if only half boiled is not unlike a syrup. In short, there are sixteen several services which this tree, though small, yields to the inhabitants. The leaves serve for covering their houses, and a fine yarn may be spun out of them for vestments. Out of its roots strong and thick ropes are made, and it is further remarkable, that each plant, though small (being cut off very young) produces at least 50 barrels of liquor, each containing two Spanish arrobes.