224 VEGETABLES AXD FOOD PRODUCTS 



and M. Aifii respectively), and of these there are many 

 varieties. All are characterised by the presence of prussic 

 acid, some possessing it to a greater extent than others, 

 and this not infrequently results fatally to persons eating the 

 cassava carelessly prepared. The " Bitter " variety contains a 

 greater percentage of the poison than the " Sweet," and as 

 it exists chiefly in the outer portion of the root of the latter 

 it is easily eliminated J The Cassava is cultivated in all tropical 

 countries, either as food for man and stock, or for the manufacture 

 of starch. It is extensively grown in Tropical America, the 

 West Indies, and the Straits Settlements, and has been the 

 chief article of diet of the aboriginal races of the former countries 

 from time immemorial. In India and Ceylon its cultivation is 

 rather limited and generally confined to native gardens, being 

 grown chiefly for home consumption. The large tuberous roots 

 are cooked and used as a vegetable, or made into cassava 

 meal and bread. The tapioca of commerce is obtained by 

 a process of grating and sifting of the tubers, the poisonous 

 juice being removed by pressure, washing, and fire heat. 

 Tapioca is largely exported from Brazil, and in recent years 

 from the Straits Settlements, where the Chinese have advanced 

 its cultivation. When the tubers are used as a vegetable, it 

 is especially important that they be fresh. If kept for more 

 than a few days after being taken from the ground they become 

 dangerous to eat, and it is probable that many of the fatal 

 cases from eating cassava are due to neglect of this precaution. 

 It is said that the Natives of Guiana take red chillies steeped 

 in rum as an antidote to cassava poisoning. Cassareep, a 

 powerful antiseptic, capable of preserving meat, etc., is a by-product 

 obtained by boiling down the poisonous juice of the u Bitter 

 Cassava " ; it is used in the making of many celebrated sauces, 



and in the well-known " Pepper-pot " of the West Indies. 

 **~~~ 



Cassava is an exhausting crop, and cannot usually be grown 



profitably for more than three successive years in the same 

 ground. In the Straits, it has in many cases been grown as 

 a catch crop in young rubber plantations. The plant resists 

 drought well, thrives at all elevations up to about 2,000 feet t 

 and prefers an open sandy soil. It is propagated by cuttings 

 of the stem, which are planted at a distance of about 16 inches 

 in rows about 4 ft. apart. The tubers are ready for harvesting 

 in 8 to 10 months from date of planting, some varieties taking 

 15 months or more to mature a crop ; a good crop is considered 





