294 Subtropical Vegetable-Gardening 



SNAKE GOUKD (Trichosanthes Anguina) 



This plant bears a cucumber-like fruit, three feet or 

 more in length. It is eaten sliced and cooked in India 

 and China. This should be planted and treated very 

 much the same as the gourd. 



TREE TOMATO (Cyphomandra betacea) 



This relative of the tomato grows into a shrub. It 

 fruits in the second season from seed, and bears its egg- 

 shaped fruits abundantly most of the year. They taste 

 somewhat like tomatoes, and are eaten raw with salt or 

 sugar, and in salads ; or used for pastries, jellies, and pre- 

 serves. An analysis in Java showed about 4 per cent 

 of sugar in the pulp. This plant grows in subtropical 

 countries and does best on the hills in the tropics. It is 

 grown from seeds or cuttings, and may be a promising 

 subject for improvement. 



CHARD (Beta vulgaris var.) 



This is a vegetable closely related to the garden beet, but 

 has a small woody root, and large, white, thick leaf stalks 

 and mid-ribs, which are the parts cooked for use, though 

 the leaf-blades may also be eaten. The plant is easy of 

 cultivation and yields well in Cuba and Porto Rico. It is 

 a useful vegetable for the subtropical and tropical garden. 



PEPINO (Solanum muricatum) 



Pepino is a seedless vegetable, propagated by suckers 

 and cuttings. It bears in a few months striped fruits 



