136 



FRUIT CULTIVATION 



thrive in Ceylon from sea-level to about 2,000 ft., or higher in 

 sheltered situations. The plants are naturally suited to a rather 

 dry climate, but flourish also in moist and hot districts, provided the 



land is well-drained. 

 They thrive best in 

 rich humous or loamy 

 soil, specially if it 

 contains a proportion 

 of lime. Fallow or 

 jungle soil, under the 

 shade of trees, yield 

 the largest and most 

 luscious fruits. After 

 the first crop has been 

 obtained, the plants 

 should be taken up, the 

 ground deeply dug and 

 enriched with well rot- 

 ted manure. The rows 

 should be planted in 

 the inter-spaces of the 

 previous crop, if any. 

 A change of site should 

 be given after every 

 second or third crop, as 

 otherwise the quality 

 and size of the fruit will 

 be adversely affected. 

 Manuring is essential ; animal manure is the best and should be 

 applied in a well-decomposed state. Of mineral manures, a 

 mixture of basic slag and nitrate of soda, in the proportion of 

 5 cwt. and 1 cwt. of each respectively for an acre, is recom- 

 mended by experienced growers. A potash manure is also very 

 beneficial. The ground should be well-tilled and kept free of 

 weeds. When planting, the strongest suckers should be 

 used, as these produce the earliest fruits. Trim off the lower 

 leaves, and plant in rows, about 4 feet apart each way, say 

 2,800 plants to the acre. The fruit should commence to ripen about 

 15 months from the time of planting the suckers, the weaker suckers 

 taking longer to bear fruit. A return of about 5,000 fruits per acre 

 is considered a good yield. When suckers are scarce, the " crowns '' 

 of the fruit may be planted in a bed of leaf-mould and sand, for 



HEX A\I) CHICKEN" PIXE-APPLK. 



