MIXOR PRODUCTS OF CKYLO\' 



505 



cit maturity an average yield of 250 to 350 "nuts" per year may be 

 obtained from each tree. The trees continue productive for 20 to 

 30 years, but may live unproductive for many years longer. At 

 5 by 5 ft. apart, 1,742 may be planted to an acre, the crop from 

 which, estimated at an average of 29 cents per tree, should be worth 

 about Rs. 340 (say j23). The area under Arecanuts in Ceylon is 

 estimated to be equivalent to about 70,000 acres. The palm is 

 frequently planted in Ceylon as boundary lines, for which it is well 

 adapted. 



BETEL-VIXE CULTIVATION IX CEYLOX. 



Betel-leaf; Bulath-vel, S.; Veth-thile, T. (Piper Belle. Pipe- 

 raceme). A perennial evergreen climber or creeper, with large 

 heart-shaped leaves, indigenous to Ceylon, India and Malaya, 

 cultivated throughout tropical Asia for the sake of the leaves. 

 The latter are universally used in the East for chewing, in a green 

 state, in the masticatory commonly known as " betel," the other 

 constituents of which are a dash of lime and a few slices of 

 arecanut (see above). The leaves have a sharp pungent taste, 

 and when chewed are considered to have sustaining properties. 

 SIR EMERSON TENNENT expressed the opinion that the habit of 



