VEGETABLES AXD FOOD PRODUCTS 207 



SECTION 1 :LEGUMlNOS.E 



INCLUDING BEANS, GRAMS AND PULSES 



Cajanus indicus. Pigeon Pea ; Congo Bean ; Dhal or Dhol ; 

 " Rata-tora" S.; "Thovaroy" or "Paripu" T. A shrub 5 to 6 feet 

 high, characterized by thin straight branches and small trifoliate 

 leaves, native of India. It is commonly cultivated in most tropical 

 countries, but more especially in India, where the dark grey seeds, 

 oi the size of small peas, are almost a universal article of food. 

 The dried split peas are largely imported into Ceylon, and much 

 used in curries, vegetable soups, etc., being everywhere sold in the 

 bazaars as ''Paripu." The plant resists drought well, and is 

 recommended as a restorative crop in rotations. In India, it is 

 grown either mixed with other crops, or planted alone in rows 

 4 to 5 feet apart. About 8 Ib. of seed is required to plant an acre, and 

 the crop is ready for harvesting in six months from the time of 

 sowing. Grown alone, the yield may be as high as 2,000 Ib. per 

 acre, 500 Ib. per acre being an ordinary return. Xot commonly 

 cultivated in Ceylon. 



Canavalia gladiata. Sword Bean ; "Awara" S.; "Awara- 

 kai" T. A robust woody perennial, climbing bean, bearing large. 

 Hat, sword-shaped pods, fully 9 inches long and about l| in. wide. 

 These when young and tender are sliced and boiled as a vegetable, 

 being also used in pickles. According to FIRMINGER, k ' it is con- 

 sidered by some Europeans the nicest of native vegetables in 

 India." *The plant requires strong and durable supports, such as 

 a fence or a low spreading tree. Propagated by seeds. 



Cicer arietinum. Chick Pea; Bengal-gram; "Konda-kadala" 

 S. An annual, about 1 ft. high, much cultivated in India as a food 

 crop. The small pea-like angular seeds are largely imported into 

 Ceylon and sold in the bazaars, being used either fried, or boiled 

 in curries, and are considered very nutritious. Roasted and ground, 

 the}' are sometimes used as a substitute for coffee. Sow in drills 

 about 2 feet apart. 



Cyamopsis psoralioides. Guar, or Cluster Bean; "Kota- 

 ranga" S. or T. A small bushy plant, recently introduced from 

 India into Ceylon, and now becoming commonly cultivated in the 

 low-country here chiefly through the medium of the School 

 Gardens. The small, straight, hairy pods (about 3 inches long, and 

 produced in clusters), are very popular as a vegetable in curries 

 and other preparations, both the tender pods and ripe seed being 



