194 FRUIT CULTURE 



cultivated in Southern Europe and elsewhere for its well-known 

 fruit, which is usually oval in shape, and pale-yellow when ripe. 

 The tree grows freely at medium and high elevations in Ceylon, 

 but the fruit produced here is invaribly coarse and pithy, with a 

 thick warty rind, and can seldom compare with the lemons of 

 temperate countries. The variety " Lisbon Lemon," imported as 

 grafted plants from Australia, has for a time grown and fruited 

 well in some up-country gardens ; but after a few years, it becomes 

 unproductive. Lemon fruits are very largely used for flavouring 

 in confectionery, etc. The rind yields a valuable essential oil and 

 citric acid ; for making candied lemon peel, it is also largely used. 

 The Lemon and Orange require similar conditions of climate and 

 soil. (See Oranges under Tropical Fruits). Propagation of the 

 Lemon should be by budding, but plants are easily raised from 

 seed (pips), or by layering. 



C. medica Citron ; " Cidran " vS. A small tree, much 

 cultivated in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean region for 

 its fruit. The latter grows to a large size, sometimes 10 to 12 (but 

 usually only about 4 to 6) inches in diameter, being round or oval 

 in shape. The thick rind is the part used, this being prepared in 

 brine, preserved in sugar, and largely employed in confectionery, 

 preserves, marmalade, etc. The fruit varies in size and shape 

 according to varieties. The " Fingered Citron " resembles a man's 

 hand, with the fingers bent up as with cramp. Citrons are not 

 commonly cultivated in Ceylon, though good fruits may occasionally 

 be met with in hill gardens. The leaves of Citron are distinguished 

 from those of other species of Citrus by not having the petiole 

 winged. Propagated by seed, budding, or layering. 



Cyphomandra betacea (Solanaceae). Tree Tomato ; "Vege- 

 table Mercury" " Gas-Takkali " S. An ever-green, semi-woody 

 shrub, native of Peru and introduced into Ceylon through Hakgala 

 Gardens, in 1882. It has become thoroughly established in many 

 hill gardens, and is commonly grown about Nuwara Eliya for 

 market. The egg-shaped and smooth-skinned fruit, produced 

 in great abundance and in hanging clusters at the ends of the 

 branches, is in season almost throughout the year, but chiefly from 

 March to May. At first greenish purple, it changes in ripening to 

 reddish yellow. Some varieties are of a deep purple colour when 

 ripe. The sub-acid succulent fruits are refreshing and agreeable 

 when eaten raw, but their chief use is for stewing ; they may also be 

 made into jam or preserve. The tree is a quick grower, and 



