October r, 1887.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST, 
257 
"In conueclion with the importation of foreign 
cattle, tho Arracacha is of alJ plants the most valu- 
able, since in the transits from Honda to Jiogota it is 
the forage which they accept with the greatest avid- 
ity, and that which enables them the soonest to 
recover from the poor condition in which they arrive. 
During the first mouths, whilst they are becoming 
acclimatized, the Arracacha is almost the only food 
which will satisfy them, and they prefer it to green 
grass, hay, or any other forage. 
" When the crop is collected, the roots with buds 
an separated and preserved for some clays in order 
to form with them a new plantation ; but before 
planting them in tho ground for development it is 
necessary to shorten the stjm attnehed to the bud 
to about an inch, because it is said that if this 
precaution be not taken, tho plants will not yield 
Ariacachus nor acquire the same development as 
they do when subjected to this mutilation. Further- 
more; the leaves are suppressed which have already 
been formed ; at the time of planting they are cut 
oil' at about two to three inches from the collar. 
"Among the cultivated Arracachas we have distin- 
guished three chief varieties ; the yellow, to which 
probably is due its name of xanthorrhiza, which is 
not applicable to the others ; the white, so called 
because the root is perfectly white, like some radishes 
and turnips ; and the violet or mulberry-coloured 
(morada), which is also white but has a violet or 
mulberry-coloured ring around the insertion of the 
crown, or similarly coloured spots upon the widest parts. 
" The yellow is the most commou and almost the 
only sort cultivated in many localities ; it yields the 
largest crops, whether in numbers of roots or in their 
individual bulk. Of all the varieties the yellow is 
the most robust and resists best the inclemencies 
of the weather, but uufortunately it is also the 
tardiest grower. 
" The white is much in demand amongst connoisseurs 
as it possesses a more agreeable flavour, softer texture, 
and other culinary advantages ; amongst tho cultivators 
it is esteemed for its precocity, although it suffers 
more than the yellow when tho meteorologioal 
conditions are not favourable, and its yield is always 
loss as regards weight. 
" The violet or mulberry-coloured (morada) appears 
to possess the same qualities as the white, and to 
resomble that variety very closely both with respect 
to its merit as an esculent aud as regards its cultivation." 
"From Ceylon Dr. . Trimen has recently reported 
that he lias raised the Arracacha from seed obtaiued 
direct from Jamaica. He appears to have obtained 
the tubers without difficulty and in abundance. As 
a matter of taste, he has a less favourable opinion 
of them then Mr. Morris. But the point to which 
I wish to draw your attention is that the introduction 
of tho esculent into India is accomplished, and that 
its further diffusion need present no difficulty." 
In the Report of tho Director of tho Botanical 
Hardens, Ceylou, for 1SS4, the Arracacha is mentioned 
a» "an umbelliferous plant, native probably of the 
Andes of South America, where it is cultivated up 
to 6,000 feet, wus introduced into Jamaica in 1S22, 
and produces large edible starchy roots, with the 
flavour somewhat of parsnip. Two or three attempts 
to import tho roots in a living state into Oeylon 
have proved completely unsuccessful ; but Mr. Nock 
has now succeeded in raising some youug plauts from 
•<eeda »eiit from Jamaica, which it is hoped will in 
time develop tho edible portion." 
In the Koport for tho year 188(i it is stated that— 
"The Arracacha is not generally liked by Europeans 
(though loiuo like it , but much enjoyed by all the 
uativ.-s who taste it. Mr. Nock reports a good stock 
at llakgalu, and I urn prepared to distribute through 
tho Government Agent* small quantities to tho 
headmen of villages at 2/100 feet or more elevatiou, 
in tho hope of ltd culture bciug taken up by tho 
Tillng.rs. Uuofa interest baa been excited in India by 
th. mi, , ossful introduction of this vegetablo iu Ceylon, 
mi l in aiiHWrm to applications we have sent boxes 
ol »hnro.ts to the UoUnic (inrden at Suhariinpur, 
the Agri Horticultural Society of Calcutta, and the 
thief Commissioner u f British Uuruiah." 
CHKIII MOYHIt. 
(Anonn Cherimolia, Mill.) 
This is a sub-tropical member of the genus Auona, 
a native of the Andes of Ecuador aud Peru, Like 
the species which yield the sweet-sop, sour-sop, and 
custard-apple, the Okerimoyer is a tree of about 15 
feet to 20 feet high, with loose spreading branches 
and velvety leaves. In botanical character it appears 
to hold a place between the sweet-sop (A. squamosa) 
and the custard-apple (A. reticulata) ; the leaves purtake 
of some of the character of both, and tho fruit is 
somewhat scaly like that of the former, and reticulated 
like that of the latter. 
As in most plants which have been a long time 
under cultivation, there are numerous varieties more 
or less differing as regards the size and character of 
the fruit, but it is generally agroed that the Oherimoyer 
is the most delicious of its kind, the flesh boing tirm, 
of a llaky character, and possessing a slightly agreeable 
acidity mingled wil li a luscious sweetness. Tho llowers 
are pendant and velvety ; they are generally closed 
in the day and open at night, giving out a delicate 
odour resembling that of Magnolia fuscata. On thin 
account they are said to be put into snuff as a substi- 
tute for the Tonquin bean. The fruit is usually the 
size and form of the sour-sop, of a light green colour, 
with a snowy-white pulp and biack seeds. 
De Candolle, discussing the origin of this species, 
states that " the Cherimoyer is mentioned by Lamarck 
aud Dunal as growing in I'eru ; but Feuillee, who 
was first to speak of it, says that it is cultivated. 
Humboldt and Boupland saw it cultivated in Venezuela 
and New Granada; Martius iu Brazil, where the seeds 
had been introduced from Peru. Toe species is cultiv- 
ated in the Cape Verde Islands and on the coast 
of Guinea. Its American origin is evident. Claude 
Gay says that the species have been cultivated in 
Chili from time immemorial. Iu conclusion, I consider 
it most probable that the species is indigenous in 
Ecuador, and perhaps in the neighbouring part of 
Peru." 
A rough drawing of the fruit is given by Feuillee, 
Jouu. des Obs., Vol. II., p. 24, tab. 17 ; the leave* 
and llowers are figured in Bot, Mag., tab. 2011, under 
the name of Anona tripetala, Ait. The only recent 
figure intended to be given is by Bodigas in L' Illustration 
Ilortico/o, N.S., pi. 563, but iu colour and the absence 
of reticulations and of the subsquamate character 
inseparable from the Cherimoyor, this figure moro 
nearly resembles that of the custard-apple (A. 
reticulata). 
The Cherimoyer is very common in the mountains 
in Jamaica and it must have been introduced there 
many years ago. It requires such sub-tropical conditions 
as are connected with a mean annual temperature, 
78° to 63° Fahr., an auuual rainfall of about SO to 
100 iuches, and a fairly rich soil. 
It is fairly abundant at Madeira, whence the fruit 
arrives in the autumn to tho English market. It is 
also found at St. Helena and on the coast of Guinea, 
aud its introduction to the mountainous districts of 
Ceylon and India has now been assured. 
There is a tall plant under cultivation in the warm 
Economic House at Kew, but it has not flowered or 
fruited here. Specimens of Oherimoyer fruits aro 
represented iii the Kew .Museums from Lima, presented 
by Sir Spencer St. John; from Botanical Department, 
Jamaica, Colonial and Iudiau Exhibition, 1SS6 ; aud 
a fruit grown at Wellington, Newcastle, presented by 
Sir W. Trevelyan. 
Saed of tho Cherimoyer in large quantities wero 
sent front Jamaica to Oeylon, and in the report of 
the Director of tho Uotanical Carduns for the year 
1884 it is mentioned — 
" There is a good supply of seeding Oherimoyer 
trues available at Hakguia. Tho fruit of this tree 
is considered to be far suporior to the other species 
of tho genus Auona (the custard-apple, sweet-sops, 
ice.), but the tree is adapted only to the hill climato 
in Ceylon." 
Diaz, in El Ayricultor I'mtzuiano, mentions that 
the fruit of the Oherimoyer is very much apprroi.ited, 
audits tisto very pleasant, s|H.-cially in cool dttfetl 
