132 FRUIT CULTIVATION 



fresh, preserved, or in jams, are considerable, and it is probable that 

 were a central factory established in Colombo or Kandy for canning, 

 drying, sterilising, or pulping fruits, as well as for making jams and 

 preserves, it would probably not only prove a profitable under- 

 taking, but also afford the requisite incentive to systematic fruit- 

 growing. 



It is a remarkable fact that in Ceylon, if not in the tropics 

 generally, fruits are sold by number rather than weight or quantity ; 

 therefore while the public are willing to purchase on these terms the 

 grower has no particular object in improving the size and quality of 

 his fruits. In Jamaica, however, the law now prescribes a measure for 

 the sale of Citrus fruit, viz., a box 2 ft. in length, 1 ft. in breadth and 

 1 ft. in depth. This is known as the Florida standard orange box. 



Climate in Relation to Fruit-culture. Certain fruits are more 

 adaptable to a wider range of climate than others. Thus, 

 Oranges will thrive in Ceylon from sea-level up to about 6,000 feet 

 elevation, while Mangoes, Plantains, and Pine-apples may be grown 

 up to at least 4,000 feet in specially sheltered localities ; yet the 

 requirements of others, as the Mangosteen, Durian and Sapodilla, 

 are more or less strictly confined to the hot and moist low- country 

 below 2,000 feet. A dry rather than wet climate is usually the 

 most suited for fruit cultivation, and the most luscious fruits are 

 generally produced in districts with a comparatively limited rain- 

 fall, or where the crops are subjected to intermittent irrigation. 

 Dry weather favours the formation of sugar in fruit, whilst a pro- 

 longed wet period is against the proper development of flavour and 

 colour, and also of keeping qualities. It is remarkable that fruits 

 which are produced in an equable, hot and moist climate are often 

 green in colour, even when fully ripe. 



Exception may be taken to the inclusion of some of the following 

 species as edible fruits, but since the list would not be complete 

 without these it is deemed advisable, in a work of reference, not 

 to omit them ; some may, at any rate, prove of interest or value 

 to the plant breeder. 



TROPICAL FRUITS SUITABLE FOR LOW OR 

 MEDIUM ELEVATION 



WITH A RAINFALL OF 70 INCHES OR MORE. 

 NATURAL ORDER ix BRACKETS. S=SIXHALESK ; 7'=TAMiL. 



Alberia Gardneri. (Bixaceae). Ceylon Gooseberry; " Ket- 

 embilla," S. and T. A small shrubby tree endemic in Ceylon* 

 bearing large purple, velvety berries, of the size, form, and 



