70 
Supplement to the " Tropical AgticuUurist." [July 1, 1908, 
His Excellency has already indicated his interest 
in the welfare of the cultivating classes by 
sanctioning a scheme for establishing Model School 
Gardens, where it is sought to interest village 
children in the legitinaate work of a rural commu- 
nity ; a scheme which is certain to prove of 
immense benefit as time goes on. The decision 
of the Agri-Horticultural Society to hold annual 
village shows will, we have no doubt, materially 
further the object of the School Garden scheme, as 
the two forces are working practically for the 
same end. 
The presence of H.B. the Governor, about 
the end of bis term of oflice, at the coming Show 
will mark a red letter day in the memory of the 
villfigers and school children, to whom every 
facility is being given for attending the Show, 
and deriving all the benefit they can from it. . 
RAINFALL TAKEN AT THE GOVERNMENT 
STOCK GARDEN FOE JUNE, 1903. 
1 
Monday 
.. -07 
17 
Wednesday... 
. -00 
2 
Tuesday 
.. -10 
18 
Thursday ... 
•26 
3 
Wednesday . 
.. -18 
19 
Friday 
Nil 
4 
Thursday 
.. -26 
20 
Saturday ... 
■18 
5 
Friday 
.. -77 
21 
Sunday 
Nil 
6 
Saturday 
.. -15 
22 
Monday 
Nil 
7 
Sunday 
.. -48 
23 
Tuesday 
•05 
8 
Monday 
.. -m 
24 
Wednesday 
•15 
9 
Tuesday 
.. -11 
25 
Thursday ... 
•30 
10 
Wednesday . 
.. -01 
26 
Friday 
•14 
11 
Thursday , 
.. -19 
27 
Saturday ... 
1-10 
12 
Friday 
.. -87 
28 
Suudti}' 
•05 
13 
Saturday 
.. 1-00 
29 
Monday 
Nil 
I* 
Sunday 
,. -03 
30 
Tuesday 
Nil 
15 
Monday 
. '24 
1 
Wednesday... 
Nil 
16 
Tuesday 
,. Nil 
Total in.. ..7-58 
Mean in... ^25 
Greatest amount of rainfall in any 24 hour?, 
from the 26th to 27th I'lO inches. 
No. of days on which rain fell '22. 
Alex. Pebeba. 
EDIBLE YAMS. 
It is well known that many roots or bulbs, 
cultivated or growing spontaneously, are used as 
food by the poorer inhabitants. Hingurala, Innala, 
Kukulala, Kondol, Raja Walliya, Wellala, all im- 
ported, I think, are good eating and remunerative 
to cultivate ; but Gahala, Dehiala, Coco or Ha- 
barala are not to be despised. Very little of 
Cassava or manioc is grown now. In the old 
chena days Crown permits were obtainable on the 
condition tliat this yam was grown, and as an 
incentive the tax was payable in kind. 
It yields I wo crops in the year. I have raised 
four crops in the same soil. It does not appa- 
rently require much manuring, for the yield every 
time was an improvement on its predecessor, 
Hulankiriya or Arrowroot is sadly neglected. 
Last year two beds of 3' m 10' gave me 8 lbs, of 
flour, which is, at the rate sold in the shopa, worth 
Rs. 4* 
Batala or sweet potato is almost a staple, and, 
need I say, an excellent diet. It is dug between 
August and November, and sells for 2 cts per lb. 
It is simply boiled or roasted, and no condiments 
are necessary, though some would relish it with a 
pinch of "coconut scrape." Given favour-able rain- 
fall this tiny creeper grows from year's end to 
year's end uncared for, except being protected 
from cattle. 
Katuiuala is the root cf a jungle creeper. It is 
not unlike the java ala, and is responsible for 
the innumerable pits you find dug in the jungle. 
The women go in bauds in search of it in the 
months of December and January. Its flowers 
also make a nice curry. 
Then again the fleshy stem of the eiun, the 
well-known water plant {Neluinbium speciosum). 
It is said to possess medicinal properties, and it 
forms an item in the uatii'e pharmacopoeia. 
The Chinese are said to make it their sole food 
in some parts. You will find it not infrequently 
in our village markets. As a stew it is like 
rhubarb stalks. 
The nelun has sacred associations. Our Buddhist 
friends value its flowers for offering in their tem- 
ple?. There is hardly a decorative work or paint- 
ing at Auuradhapura without a corner for this 
ideal flower. The nelun grows there luxuriantly 
floating in the innumerable tanks. The fruit grows 
to an appreciable size. It is so delicious and 
nutritious, too, that whenever you get there, do 
not fail to call for Nelunbatu. 
GEO. WEERAKOON, 
Mudliyar, W. P. 
Potegama, 18th June, 1903 
[To complete this interesting contribution we 
would give the following recipes for cooking 
Yams — taken from a pamphlet issued by the West 
Indian Department of Agriculture. — Ed. A.M..] 
Roasted Yams. 
Lay a yam before the grates of the stove 
or in the oven, turning it occasionally until 
cooked. Scrape off the outer skin, cut into pieces 
or mash with butter and serve hot. 
Baked Yams. 
Pare a yam, put it in the oven and bake until 
soft, take it out of the skin, mash with batter, 
put back into skiu, cut in picees and serve hot. 
Boiled Yams. 
Pare a yam, put it into boiling water, cook until 
ttader, serve whole. 
Yam Chips. 
Pare and boil a yam until tender. Gut in chips, 
fry in boiling lard and serve hot. 
Yam Rice, 
Pare and boil a yam until tender, press through 
a colander on to a hot dish, shake the colander 
lightly every few seconds, to c-iuse the yam to fall 
off in short grains like rice, serve very hot. " 
Yam Rissoles. ' 
Pare, boil and mash a yam. add pepper aiid so^t, 
and if liked, a little minced parsley. Shape into 
