'IROPICAL FRUITS FOR LOW ELEVATIONS 



133 



consistency of gooseberries ; these have a pleasant acid taste, and 

 make excellent jam or a preserve. The fruit is in season during 

 August and September. It is well worth cultivation, being capable 

 of improvement by systematic selection and propagation. It is culti- 

 vated as a fruit-tree in Peradeniya Gardens, where plants are raised 



CEYLON GOOSEBERRY. Alberia Gardner i. 



for distribution. The tree thrives in rich humous soil, and likes good 

 drainage. In propagating from seeds, the latter, being small, 

 should be sown in pots under cover. (See illustration). 



Achras sapota (Sapotaceae, Gutta family). Sapodilla-plum ; 

 Zapote ; Bully-tree ; Naseberry ; Chiku; "Rata-mi," S; "Shimai- 

 eluppai," T. A small symmetrical tree, 25 to 30 ft. high, with 

 leathery dark-green shining leaves, native of Tropical America and 

 the West Indies; introduced to Ceylon about 1802, but as yet 



