MONTHLY. I>* 
•if" 
Vol. XX. 
COLOMBO, AUGUST 1st, 1900. 
No. 2. 
CHILLIES :— THEIR CULTIVATION 
AND USES. 
Capsicum, Linn. ; Gen. PI., 11., 892. 
(From "Economic Products of India.") 
HE greatest confusion exists in 
Indian literature as to the 
cultivated species of Capsicum. 
Popularly the larger fruits are 
usually designated Capsicums, 
and the smaller Chillies. Ac- 
cording to Firniinger, the pow- 
dered seeds of the latter con- 
stitutes Cayenne pepper. That author, in his JIanual 
of Gardening for India, states that there are a great 
many varieties of Capsicum grown in India, some of 
which are very ornamental when grouped together. 
The writer can at most hope that he has thrown 
the various vernacular names approximately under 
their corresponding botanical species. Much remains 
still to be done in order to clear up the ambiguities 
which exists in the literature of the Indian Capsi- 
cums. Many of the varnaoulir namss appear to 
be given to all the species alika. 
Habitat. — A native of equinoctial America, most 
probably of Brazil. Commonly cultivated for its 
fruit throughout the plains of India, and on the 
lower hills such as in Kashmir, and in the Chenab 
valley up to altitude 6,500 feet. When grown on 
the hills it is said to be very pungent. There are 
seven varieties, differing chiefly in the length, shape 
and colour of the fruit, some being round, others 
oblong, obtuse, pointed or bifid, smooth or rugose ; 
and red, white, yellow, or variegated. It is prob- 
able that most Indian authors have confused this 
species with C. rainimum, which see. 
History.— " This species ha^ a number of different 
names in European languages, which all indicate a 
{preiga origin, aai tha raiaaiblaa^e o£ th3 fciste to 
that of pepper. In French it is often called poivre 
de Guinee (Guinea pepper), but also poivre dxi Bresil, 
d'Inde (Indian, Brazilian pepper), &c., denominations 
to which no importance can be attributed. Its cul- 
tivation was introduced into Europe in the sixteenth 
century. It was one of the peppers that Piso and 
Maxgraf saw grown in Brazil under the name quija 
or quiija. They say nothing as to its origin." {DC. 
Orirj. of GuU. PL) Chillies ace not mentioned by 
any Sanskrit writer, consequently their introduction 
into India must have taken place at a com" 
paratively recent date. It is probible that the Portu- 
guese brought the fruit from the West Indies. Up 
to the present time the cultivation of the plant is 
carried on more extensively at Goa than at any 
other place on the western coast, and capsicums are 
well-kuown in Bambay by the name of Gowai 
HiiVc/i! (Goa pepper)" (Dr. Di/moc!:, Mat II 2d. W. Ind.), 
Hove alludes to Capsicum as grown in Bombay in 
1787 and expresses no astonishment at its existence 
in India. 
CuTiA'ATioN OF Capsicusis.— A light wsll-manured 
soil is the best for all kinds, in which the plants 
should be picked out at about four inches apart 
when they attain a growth of three inches ; 
and afterwards put out into 11 bed of rich 
light earth when they attain six inches in 
height, giving them a gcod supply of water and keeping 
them clear from weeds " (The Gardener). 
Medicine. — Dr. Stewart says that the fruit is used 
externally in the form of plasters and taken in- 
ternally in cholera ; it is eaten tro3 a conviction 
that it counteracts the effects of bad climates. 
As a drug, red pepper is considered by the natives 
as stomachic and stimulant, and is used externally 
as a rubefacient (Dymock), "It has been employed 
with success as a topical application to elongated 
uvula and relaxation of the pendulous veil of the 
palate. Made into a lozenge, with sugar and trag»« 
