228 VEGETABLES AND FOOD PRODUCTS 



SECTION 4. MISCELLANEOUS VEGETABLES AND 

 FOOD CROPS. 



Amaranthus oleraceus. (Amarantaceae) ; "Thampala" S. An 

 annual herbaceous plant which, with several other species or varie- 

 ties of the same genus, is commonly grown by the Natives in the 

 low-country. The tender leaves and succulent portion of the stem 

 are boiled and used in curries and other ways. In India, the 

 succulent tops of the stems and branches are said to be sometimes 

 served up as a substitute for Asparagus. The Amaranthus is easily 

 cultivated, being readily raised from seed, and thrives in any ordi- 

 nary soil. Some varieties come up spontaneously in ground where 

 they were previously grown. 



Basella alba. (Chenopodiaceae). Ceylon Spinach ; Malabar 

 Night-shade; "Niviti" S. "Pasali" T. A slender climbing 

 perennial, with succulent stems and leaves, which may be used as 

 a potherb or spinach, for which they are a good substitute. It is 

 often cultivated in the low-country of Ceylon and is relished by 

 Natives and Europeans. Propagated by seed sown during the rains, 

 preferably in rows, sticks being provided for support to the vines. 



Arachis hypogaea. (Leguminosae). Ground-nut ; Earth-nut ; 

 Monkey-nut; Pea-nut; "Rata-kaju" S; "Nella-kadala" T. A small 

 annual trailing plant, native of Brazil and now cultivated in all 

 tropical countries. It is remarkable for its habit of burying its 

 seed-pods in the ground to ripen, hence the name "ground-nut." 

 The cultivation and export of ground-nuts is an important industry 

 in West Africa, Southern India, Burma, and elsewhere. Recently 

 in Ceylon, ground-nuts were strongly advocated as a suitable 

 inter-crop with stationary products, as Rubber, but have not proved 

 a commercial success. The plant is, however, often grown in 

 native gardens in the low-country. In Tropical America, the West 

 Indies and throughout Tropical Africa, Ground-nuts are commonly 

 cultivated both as an article of food and for the valuable oil obtain- 

 ed from the seed. The "nuts" (seeds) are prepared and used for 

 food in numerous ways. In the United States they are used largely 

 in confectionery, being also roasted and eaten as dessert. 

 Ground-nut oil is one of the best of salad oils, being considered 

 almost equal to olive oil, but its chief use is in the manufacture 

 of toilet soaps, pomades, cold cream, etc. After the expression of 

 the oil from the seed, the residue forms a valuable manure or 

 cattle-food. 



