MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 637 



OBSTACLES TO SUCCESS. 



That there are difficulties in the way of pursuing fruit 

 culture in the tropics with appreciable success is only to 

 be expected. But this is the case with every new venture. 

 For instance, the first pound of tea produced in Ceylon 

 cost about 5 to grow and make, while one of the first 

 consignments of fruit sent from Australia to England 

 sold at fancy prices, but freight and commissions landed 

 the owner in a loss of over 50. The pilfering habit of 

 the natives frequently necessitates the picking of fruits 

 in a green and unripe state, which reduces the latter in 

 popular estimation and in price, and therefore checks 

 cultivation. Another obstacle to progress is the system 

 which obtains locally of supplying fruits by the number 

 instead of by weight or size and quality; thus the natural 

 incentive for growers for market is to increase the 

 number rather than the quality of the fruit. 



Were fruit-growing, however, to be undertaken 

 seriously and become an established industry in Ceylon, 

 these and other difficulties could douHtless be largely 

 overcome. District fruit inspectors might be appointed, 

 and it would be the duty of these to see to the carrying 

 out of recognized methods of culture, to enforce 

 regulations for packing, transport, and disposal of 

 produce, and report on the first signs of outbreaks of 

 pests or diseases. 



WHAT FRUITS TO GROW. 



The number of tropical fruits that are edible is con- 

 siderable, though those of real merit are comparatively 

 limited. As differences of opinion will always exist as 

 to the relative value of fruits, a fairly exhaustive list is 

 given here for selection. The motto should be to grow 

 a few kinds well rather than many imperfectly. To 

 attempt growing numerous sorts in a cramped area 

 inevitably leads to disappointment and indifferent results. 



(i) For Low and Intermediate Elevations, with Moderate 



Rainfall. 



Plantain or banana (Musa paradisiaca). By far the 



