R. Gerald Crawford, age 13, of Nashwaaksis. New Brunswick, Canada, for his question:

Where are cashew nuts grown?

The cashew tree is native to tropical regions of South and Central America. Several centuries ago it was taken to similar climates in other countries and became well established in parts of India. It also grows in Florida, but not in sufficient quantities to supply all the people of North America. Our supplies of delicious cashew nuts come from trees grown in India and South America.

The handsome tree is a tropical evergreen, often 40 feet tall. Its large leathery leaves are oval shaped and each blossom yields one bean shaped cashew nut. The tree is a member of the poison ivy family and the nut shell oozes a blistery secretion. This substance becomes inactive when the nuts are roasted and none of it contaminates the shelled nut meats. The generous cashew tree also yields a gummy resin, used to make shiny varnishes. The nut, of course, is the fruit of the cashew tree. It grows from a pulpy red or yellow ball and this tasty cashew apple is edible, raw or cooked in fruity preserves.