CHAPTER XL 



SUB-TROPICAL OR TEMPERATE FRUITS 



SUITED TO HIGH OR INTERMEDIATE ELEVATIONS, WITH RAINFALL 

 FROM 60 TO 80 INCHES OR MORE 



[S=SlXHALESE : 7=TAMIL] 



Aberia caffra (Bixaceae). Kei Apple. A small thorny tree 

 or tall shrub, native of the Cape and Natal. The fruit is of the 

 form of a small apple and, when ripe, is made into a preserve ; in 

 an unripe state it is used as a pickle. The tree has been established 

 at Hakgala Gardens, Ceylon, since about 1880, but has only been 

 known to fruit once. 



Anona Cherimolia (Anonaceae). Cherimoyer. A small tree, 

 native of S. America and the West Indies, introduced into Ceylon 

 about 1880. The large, green, round or heart-shaped fruit is 3 to 

 5 inches in diameter, weighing from 2 to 4 lb., and has a pitted 

 rind ; it somewhat resembles the Custard-apple, and is known in 

 Covent Garden Market, London, under that name. The Cherimoyer 

 has been described as one of the three finest fruits in the world, 

 the other two rivals being the Mangosteen and Pine-apple. 

 DR. LINDLEY, however, considered that " one good European Pear 

 is worth all the Cherimoyers of Peru." The tree is now cultivated 

 in many up-country gardens in Ceylon, especially in the 

 Udapussellawa district, where it ripens fruit chiefly between October 

 and December. In Madeira, the tree is systematically cultivated, 

 being propagated by grafting. It may also be raised from seed, 

 but the best varieties have almost seedless fruits. Cherimoyers are 

 regularly imported from the Canary Islands into London, where 

 they are often retailed at Is. to 2s. 6d. each. The white and 

 somewhat granular pulp is similar to that of the Custard-apple, 

 but much pleasanter to the taste than the latter. The tree is best 

 suited to the hill districts, preferring a rather dry climate ; it is 

 considered to thrive best on deep, rich soil in which lime is present. 



