77 



fresh water to these plantations. Sometimes the hill 

 sides are terraced for it, as is done for paddy or rice 

 in some parts of Ceylon. Of course, they are unac- 

 quainted with the use of the spirit-level, and the level 

 must have been obtained by digging and allowing the 

 water to follow. This would indicate the highest 

 point to which the water would rise. In making 

 the retaining walls for the beds and terraces on the 

 hill sides, a good deal of labour has been bestowed. 

 One bed follows another in succession, the fall from 

 a bed to the one next below it varying from 4 inches 

 to several feet, according to the steepness of the site. 

 The beds also vary greatly in size. The settlers call 

 them " dalo or taro patches." As in the case of yams 

 and land dalo, these beds, after a crop or two has 

 been taken off them, are allowed to lie fallow for 

 several years, in order that the land may regain its 

 fertility. 



When the land is to be re-cultivated, the grass, 

 &o. is cleared off the surface, and either burned or 

 thrown aside ; the aqueducts and retaining walls are 

 put in order. The ground is dug and the surface 

 levelled, — water being let on frequently for a trial of 

 the level. The dalo is then planted in the same manner 

 as the land dalo above described, only that the plants 

 are generally put down at a less distance apart. The 

 dalo grows best in a heavy stiff clay soil, and generally 

 takes from 10 to 12 months to reach maturity. The 

 decaying of the leaves indicates that the tubers are 

 ripe. The tubers vary in weight from 1 to 12 lbs., 

 if they have been well grown. The average weight, 

 however, is from 4 to 6 lbs. 



They are eaten either boiled or roasted, and are st'archy 

 and very nourishing. The natives prefer eating them 



