FRUIT CULTURE 167 



Grias cauliflora (Myrtaceu;). Anchovy Pear. A small 

 slender, unbninched West Indian tree, with a crown of very large 

 drooping leaves, the latter measuring up to 3 ft. in length by 

 about 6 to 8 inches across. The brown oval fruit, produced on 

 the stem, are of the size of a hen's egg, and in the West Indies are 

 considered to resemble the mango in taste, being said to be used 

 for dessert and pickling. The quality of the fruit produced by 

 the trees at Peradeniya does not, however, warrant such a high 

 opinion, and are seldom eaten. MR. HARRISON, of Jamaica, also 

 concurs in this view. Propagated by seed. 



Hibiscus Sabdariffa (Malvaceae). Jamaica or Red Sorrel ; 

 "Rozelle;" "Rata-bilincha" S; " Pulincha-kira" 7~. An annual 

 shrub, 4 to 5 ft. high, with reddish stems, leaves and fruit, native 

 of the West Indies. It is cultivated in most warm countries (some- 

 times as an intercrop with other products) for the sake of its large 

 fleshy sepals, which remain after the flowers fall away (persistent], 

 and become enlarged and succulent (accrescent), enclosing the 

 fruit-capsule ; these make excellent jam, and a jelly is also m ide 

 from them which is considered to be almost equal to red-currant 

 jelly. In an unripe state the fruit is adapted for pickles, and a 

 refreshing beverage called "Sorrel-drink" is also prepared from it. 

 The young tender acid leaves are esteemed by the Natives of 

 Ceylon as a vegetable in curries, and the stems afford a quantity of 

 strong fibre. The plant thrives at elevations up to 2,500 ft. with 

 moderate rainfall. Seeds may be sown at the commencement of 

 the monsoon rains, and the seedlings, when ready, planted out in 

 rows about 6 ft. apart, with about 4 ft. between the plants in the 

 row. The sepals should be fit for picking in 3 to 4 months from 

 the time of planting, and the plants will continue to produce these 

 for about two months. The plant occurs in two varieties, viz., 

 "White Sorrel" with greenish-white, and "Red Sorrel" with red- 

 dish sepals, the latter variety being considered to be the more 

 acid, and generally preferred. 



Inocarpus edulis (Leguminosae). Tahiti-chestnut. A moderate- 

 sized tree with large shining leaves, indigenous to the Pacific Isles. 

 The large fleshy seeds, of which one or two are contained in a 

 stout pod, are edible, and said to form an important article of food 

 to the Natives in the tree's indigenous home. When boiled and 

 roasted, the seeds are considered palatable, though "not suited to 

 weak stomachs." The tree thrives and produces flowers and fruit 

 at Peradeniya, where it has been introduced in 1861, but the fruit 

 is not eaten here. Propagated by seed. 



