lo FOOD FOR THE TROPICS 



The straw makes excellent fodder, and is said to improve 

 by keeping, In Mysore cattle work on it alone. 



Manioc, or Bitter Cassava 



(^Manihot utillssima) 



This plant is widely dispersed throughout Tropical 

 America, where it is indigenous and cultivated ; it is also 

 grown in many other tropical countries, especially Africa. 

 Mandioca is the Brazilian name ; Cassava (West Indies 

 and certain parts of Africa) ; Yuca Amarga (Venezuela) ; 

 Mangahazo (Madagascar) ; Maracheenie (Malay) ; Maravullie 

 (Tamil) ; Mangyokka (Ceylon) ; Mohogo (Wanyamwezi, 

 East Africa) ; and Juca or Yucca (Peru and Hayti). 



It is generally known as the Bitter Mandioca, but in 

 Brazil is simply called Mandioca, being the chief kind 

 cultivated. Peckolt describes twenty-one varieties. In 

 Cayenne the varieties are Male, Cachiri, Bois Blanc, and 

 Mai-pourri-rouge . 



It is a large half-shrubby plant with very large roots, 

 which weigh sometimes as much as twenty pounds ; three 

 to eight plants grow in a cluster. The leaves are near the 

 extremities of the branches, being large and deeply seven- 

 parted. 



In South America the roots are taken up in from nine 

 to twelve months, or as required ; they are then well 

 washed, and the skin being scraped off, are grated or 

 rasped ; the pulp is then pressed to get the juice out, dried 

 on hot metal plates, and pounded into meal, which is called 

 *' farinha." The pressure and heat are for the purpose of 



