VEGETABLES AXD FOOD PRODUCTS 



or opposite, entire : " Hiri-tala " S (= "Sheenivalli-kelengu" 7") 

 = D. obcuncata. "Java-ala" S, "Xatt-ala" or "Maha-kukul-ala" S, 

 (= "Shoravalli-kelengu" T), "Katukukul-ala" S, and "Kukul-ala" S 

 (= "Shirruvalli-kelengu" 7") = D. fasciculata. " Jambur-ala " S, 

 ( = " Podhalivalli-kelengu " 7), " Kaha Japana-ala" S (= Guinea 

 Yam)=D. aciilcata* 



Leaves three to five digitate : " Katu-ala" S (= " Mulluvalli-kelengu " T) 

 =D. pentaphylla. 



Stem round, not prickly, without aerial tubers, leaves opposite : " Gon- 

 ala" S (= " Kombuvalli-kelengu " 7>=D. spicata. 

 Inedible Ceylon yams: "Uyala" S (= D. tomcntosa), " Panu-kondol " 

 S (=D. sativd), and D. intermedia. 



Helianthus tuberosus. Jerusalem Artichoke ; " H a r t h a- 

 wariya" S. (See under Sub-tropical or Temperate Vegetables), 



Ipomoea Batatas. (Convolvulaceae). Sweet Potato; "Batala," 

 S; "Velkelengu" T. A creeping or trailing perennial, bearing 

 succulent tuberous roots, which are a tasty and nutritious article 

 of food, being sometimes preferred by Europeans to the common 

 or Irish Potato. The Sweet-potato is considered to have its native 

 habitat distributed over the tropics generally. It is cultivated in 

 all warm countries, and may be grown successfully in sheltered 

 valleys up to about 4,000 feet in Ceylon, but does not usually thrive 

 in the hills. Any moderately good soil will suit the plant, provided 

 it is of a light sandy nature. The ground should be well dug, 

 manured, and formed into ridges at distances of about 2 ft. ; along 

 the centre of the ridges cuttings about 12 inches long are planted 

 a few r inches apart, and these readily strike root. During dry 

 weather, the plants should be watered, or, when possible, the 

 ground irrigated once a \veek. The crop is ready for harvesting 

 about 3 to 4 months from the time of planting, the leaves turning 

 yellow when the tubers are mature. A yield of about 4 or 5 tons 

 of tubers per acre may be expected under favourable conditions. 



VARIETIES. The following are among the best varieties grown at 

 Peradeniya : "Boniato," "Sierra morena," "Boniato Amarillo," 

 "Virginia," and " Nancimund." There are numerous varieties re- 

 cognised in the West Indies and America, such as "Blue Belle," " Red 

 Burbon," "White Gilkes," "Annie Vine," "Prince Henry," etc. 



Manihot utilissima (Euphorbiaceae). Tapioca ; " Cassava;" 

 "Manyokka" S. A shrubby perennial, 6 to 8 feet high, native 

 originally of tropical South America, where its cultivation dates far 

 back. It is supposed to have been first introduced into India and 

 Ceylon by the Portuguese. There are two distinct kinds in cultiva- 

 tion, known as the "Bitter" and "Sweet" Cassava (Manihot utilissima 



1). cayt'Hih'iisis (Burkhill). 



