VEGETABLES AXI) FOOD PRODUCTS 225 



to yield from 10 to 12 tons or more tubers per acre, a single 

 plant often producing from 30 to 50 Ib. The yield of prepared 

 tapioca varies from 1,600 to 2,600 Ib. per acre. Cassava is largely 

 cultivated in the Philippines and Java for the production of starch, 

 the yield of which is about 34%. There are numerous varieties 

 of Cassava in cultivation, some 6 or 7 occurring in Ceylon, none of 

 which appear to be distinguished by vernacular names. 



Maranta arundinacea, (Scitaminae). West Indian, or Ber- 

 muda Arrowroot; "Araluk" or " Hulankiriya" S. A small stem- 

 less herbaceous plant, with large leaves, native of Tropical America. 

 The name "arrow-root " is derived from the fact that the rhizomes 

 were used by the Indians as an application to wounds inflicted by 

 poisoned arrows. The plant is cultivated in most tropical countries 

 for the sake of its white starchy underground tubers (rhizomes), which 

 are either used as a vegetable, or (by a process of washing, grating 

 and sifting) made into arrowroot. The arrowroot of commerce is 

 obtained chiefly from the West Indies, notably Bermuda and St. 

 Vincent, where the plant is systematically cultivated. Propagation 

 is effected either by means of the tubers or by division of the crown, 

 these being planted 5 or 6 in. deep in rows or furrows 3 ft. apart, 

 with about 14 in. between the plants in the row. The commence- 

 ment of the rainy season should be selected for planting. A light, 

 loamy, well-drained soil is best, wet or clayey soil being unsuitable. 

 The crop is an exhausting one, and the richer the soil the better. 

 The plant will thrive from sea-level to about 3,000 feet in Ceylon. 

 Shade is not essential, though in light and exposed soils it is bene- 

 ficial. The flowers should be removed from the plants as they 

 appear. The tubers are usually ready for harvesting in from 8 to 

 10 months from the time of planting, their mature condition 

 being indicated by the leaves flagging and dying down. It is 

 estimated that an acre will produce on an average about 5 tons 

 of fresh tubers, which contain about 15 to 20 per cent, of dry 

 starch, yielding a return of about 16 to 20 cwt. of prepared arrow- 

 root per acre. Arrowroot fetches at present about 3</. to 4ci. per 

 Ib. wholesale. 



Oxalis crenata (Oxalidaceae). "Oka." A small Peruvian plant, 

 allied to the common Oxalis weed (0. violacea, so troublesome at 

 the higher elevations in Ceylon), producing numerous small tubers, 

 which are edible and grow to the size of small plums. The plant 

 is cultivated as a vegetable in Peru, where the tubers are boiled 

 for about 20 minutes, and eaten with pepper and salt. etc. The 



