13 
“ which will satisfy them, and they prefer it to green grass, hay, or any 
“ other for: 
« When the oat. is omg oy roots with buds are separated a 
e da 
“ which have already been formed; at the time of planting they are 
“ cut off at about two to three inches from the collar 
“ Among the cultivated Arracachas we have distinguished three chief 
varieties ; the yellow, to which probably is due its name of xanthorrhiza, 
‘which is not applicable to the other; the white, so called because 
“ the ese. is perfectly white, like some radishes and turnips ; and the 
violet or mulberry-coloured (morada), which is also white but has a 
“ violet or = malariae coloured ring around the ee of the crown, or 
T similarly coloured spots upon the widest ye 
he yellow is the most common and alm at the only T sie we 
“ in many localities; it yields the largest ‘sana, w 
“ of roots or in their individual bulk. Of all the varieties the yollo is 
“ the most robust and resists best the inclemencies of the weather, but 
S unfor tunately it is also the tardiest grower. 
The white is much in demand amongst connoisseurs, as it pongase 
‘ a more agreeable flavour, softer texture, and other culinary advantages 
“ amongst “the cultivators it is esteemed for its precocity, although it 
“ suffers more than the yellow when the meteorological SRT are 
he Rot favourable, and its yield is always less as regards w 
“ The violet or mulberry-coloured ( (morada) appears A possess the 
“ same a as the white, and to resemble that variety very closely 
yp he be ee to its merit as an asali and as regards its cul- 
se tiv 
joes attention of the Government of India having been directed to 
the value of Arracacha as a possible food plant for certain hilly districts 
e D f the Royal . 
Kew, to the India Office, dated the 4th planed 1886, the introduction of 
the Arracacha to India is reported as follow. 
D Te Eke anvers, respecting the transmission of tubers of 
7 y ome to “India, I have now to inform you that the various 
“ attempts which have from that date been made to introduce this South 
6 mise esculent into India have at last been rewarded with 
é su s. 
te No f result of any importance was apparently obtained from the 
“ supply of tubers obtained through the Foreign Office from Bogot: 
“ nor from the seed obtained through wr same source and tranisinitted 
“ to India from Kew in the following yea 
“ In 1882, it was ascertained that the devine was naturalised on 
“ the hills in Jamaica, and Mr. Morris, the Director of Public Gardens 
« and Plantations in the Colony, stated that he believed it ‘to be a most 
“ valuable food-plant,’ and that for his own part he not merely liked 
“ it, but found it to become more palatable and desirable the longer it 
« was used. He a ed— 
« ¢ Tf the natives of India take to it as an article of food, I can con- 
“ é eeive nothing more likely to flourish in the hill districts, and to 
