VEGETABLES OR FOOD CROPS 241 



at all seasons the low-country markets and the shipping at Colombo, 

 carrots are among the best grown vegetables. A loose, rich, sandy 

 soil, which has been manured well for the preceding crop ( no 

 fresh manure should be applied), is the most suitable for the crop. 

 The seeds should be sown thinly in drills about 8 in. apart, the 

 young plants being afterwards thinned out to a distance of 2 or 3 in. 

 apart. Further thinning out may be continued by drawing for use 

 the largest or most crowded plants. The best way of storing 

 carrots is to cover them in a heap of sand in an open shed. 



VARIETIES. These are divided into two distinct classes, viz., 

 the Long-rooted type, which comprises the " Altringham," "James' 

 Intermediate," "White Belgian," etc.; and the Short-rooted or 

 Horn kind, including "Scarlet Dutch Horn," "Early Short 

 Horn," etc. 



Cauliflower; " Mal-goa " S. (Brassica oleracea Botrytis. 

 N. O. Crucifene). This delicious vegetable is a variety of Cabbage, 

 the dense white Hower-heads being the part used. The Cauliflower 

 thrives well at elevations of 5,000 to 6,000 ft., and a rich heavily- 

 manured soil suits it best. Plants from acclimatised seed are said 

 to do best in Bengal, such seed being produced chieHy in Northern 

 India. Cultural directions the same as for Cabbage. 



VARIETIES. Among the best are " Veitch's Autumn-Giant," 

 41 Walchereen," " Dean's Early Snowball," and " Large Asiatic." 



Celeriac; Turnip-rooted, or Knob-celery. (Apinm graveolens 

 rapaccuin. N. O. Umbelliferae). A variety of Celery, the stem of 

 which forms an irregular knob, which is used in salads, while the 

 leaves are used for flavouring purposes. It can be grown from 

 2,000 ft. upwards, but there is little to recommend its cultivation 

 where Celery can be successfully grown. 



Celery; " Selclry " S. (Apium gravcolens. N. O. Umbelli- 

 ferae). This can be grown with great success in up-country 

 gardens in Ceylon. In the low-country also, very fair stalks can 

 be produced, and the plant is well worth growing even for the 

 sake of the leaves for flavouring purposes. The essential con- 

 ditions for Celery culture are moisture and rich, well-manured soil. 

 The small seed should be sown in a pan or box under cover, the 

 seedlings being afterwards pricked out into beds or boxes ; when 

 about 4 in. high, plant these out about 6 to 8 in. apart in a deep 

 trench, having filled the bottom of which to a depth of 10 in. with 

 manure well-mixed with the soil. The most suitable fertilisers for 

 Celery are considered to be superphosphate and sulphate of potash. 



