VEGETABLES OR FOOD CROPS 255 



into pots, tubs, or on a sheltered border. Supports for the plants 

 are essential, and this may be provided in the form of firm stakes, 

 a fence, or low trellises. If the fruits fail to ripen on the plants 

 in wet weather, they may be picked green and kept in a dry 

 sunny place for a few days, as this will considerably advance 

 their ripening. The plants should be regularly pruned, superfluous 

 growth being cut out, shoots pinched back or removed, and 

 the leaves reduced so as to admit light to the fruit. In Ceylon, 

 tomatoes are grown for market chiefly in the rather dry district 

 of Dumbara, and the plants are generally raised from seed 

 grown locally ; but the fruits do not usually bear comparison 

 in size or flavour with the best seen in temperate countries. 

 Occasionally, however, very fair fruits may be obtained up-country 

 during the dry season. Seedlings should be raised under cover, 

 and planted out about 4 ft. apart in mounds or ridges. A well- 

 drained, rich porous soil is essential. Superphosphate is especially 

 suitable as a fertiliser, being productive of fruitfulness. After 

 the setting of the fruit nitrogenous manures may be applied. 



VARIETIES. The "Conqueror," "Button's Peach Bloom." " Sutton's 

 Perfection," and " Hathway's Excelsior" are all good. The "Cherry" and 

 " Red Currant " varieties bear numerous small fruits in clusters, and are very 

 ornamental. 



Turnip. (Brassica rapa N. O. Cruciferae). Turnips of very 

 good quality can be grown at the higher elevations in the tropics. 

 In the hill districts they are regularly grown for home consumption 

 or for market purposes, the best crops being obtained in the 

 drier season. At medium elevations of 2,000 to 4,000 ft. very 

 fair roots may be obtained in the cool season. Turnips thrive 

 best on soils of a light sandy nature, which must be enriched 

 with well decomposed manure ; stiff retentive soils are ill-adapted 

 for them. Seed may be sown broadcast on well prepared beds, 

 or in shallow drills about 14 to 16 in. apart, the seedlings being 

 thinned out when 2 or 3 in. high, leaving a space of about 5 in. 

 between them ; further thinning can be effected by picking 

 the largest turnips for use as required. The best time for sowing 

 is before the end of each monsoon. 



VARIETIES Amongst the best are "Early Snowball," "Early White 

 Dutch," "Veitch's Red Globe," and " Scarlet Perfection." On the plains of 

 India, acclimatised varieties are said to give the best results. 



Udo or Oudo. (Aralia cor Jala. N. O. Araliaceas). A shrubby 

 perennial with large compound leaves, attaining a height of 

 5 to 6 ft. The young and blanched stalks, which are from 



