FRUIT CULTURE 161 



smooth oval green fruits, of the size of olives, which they 

 closely resemble. The fleshy portion surrounding the stone (seed) 

 is sub-acid and palatable. In an unripe state it is excellent for 

 pickling, like olives. The principal season for the fruit is April and 

 May. The tree thrives in the moist low-country up to about 

 2,000 ft., and is propagated by seed. 



Eugenia Jambos (Myrtaceae). Rose-apple ; " Veli Jambo " 

 S.\ " Seeni Jambo " T. A medium-sized handsome tree, native of 

 India and Malaya, and introduced into Ceylon probably in the time 

 of the Portuguese. Its fragrant pinkish-white or rose-coloured fruit, 

 about the size of a hen's egg, is of a sweetish-acid taste, and is said 

 to be sometimes used in preserves. As a fruit, however, it is usually 

 of a very indifferent quality, being in some cases wooly and almost 

 tasteless; but it varies somewhat with different trees and conditions 

 of cultivation. The tree thrives best in moist districts, at medium 

 elevations up to 3,000 ft., preferring a deep rich soil. Propagated 

 by seed. 



Eugenia javanica. Wax Jambo ; " Peni-Jambo " S. A small 

 01 namental Malayan tree, producing clusters of very pretty, shining, 

 rose-pink, or pinkish-white, waxy-looking fruits. Each fruit is 

 about the size of a large strawberry, with the base laterally com- 

 pressed ; the pulp is edible, but is usually too fragrant and pithy to 

 be agreeable. The tree is propagated by seed, and thrives best at 

 elevations of 1,000 to 3,000 ft. in moist districts. 



E. malaccensis. Malay-apple; Jambo S.; "Peria Jambo" T. 

 A handsome tree 30 to 50 ft. high, with large leathery oval leaves, 

 indigenous to Malaya. It produces a great profusion of beautiful 

 crimson flowers, which for several days during January and February 

 make a bright carpet under the tree as they drop. The pear-shaped 

 white or bright red fruit are produced chiefly in May and June, 

 these too making the tree an attractive object. The snowy white, 

 but rather pithy, pulp surrounding the seed is edible, but not of 

 much account. Propagated by seed. Thrives in the moist low- 

 country up to 2,000 ft. 



E. Micheli. Brazil or Surinam Cherry; " Goraka- Jambo " 

 S. A small shrubby tree of Brazil, bearing small round and ribbed 

 fruit, about 1 inch in diameter, rather flattened at the ends, and of 

 a bright red waxy appearance. These suggest small tomatoes at a 

 distance ; the pulp is edible, but to most people is too acid and 

 perfumed to be agreeable. It is said to make good jelly, being 

 also used in preserves. The tree thrives best at medium elevations v 

 1 .000 to 3,000 ft. Propagated by seed. 



