January i, 1891.] 
Supplement to the “ Tropical AgricultuyistT 
53 * 
returned to the soil, but this takes time, and so 
far as the crop for which the nitrogen is intended 
is concerned tlie effect of the manure is lost. 
At last there is a fair pro.spect of a Techincal 
Institute for Ceylon. The following pai’agrapli 
is from the report of the Suh-Conimitteo of Council 
on the Supply Bill for 1S91 : — “ The Sub-Com- 
mittee strongly approve of the recommendation 
which has been made by the Government for the 
establishing of a Technical Institute in Colombo, 
and for the aj)pointnient of a Superintendent 
therefor. The services of a competent ofllcer 
may, it is hoped, be secured for Ed, 000 ])er 
annum, and the Sub-Committee readily agree to 
the addition of provision therefor.’’ This sliould 
delight the hearts of Mr. II. W. Gi-een and tlie 
Hon’bles AV. AV. Mitchell and J. J. Grinlinton, wlio 
have long advocated the claims of Ceylon for 
such an establishment. 
In the .36th annual report of the Ceylon 
Planters’ Association, we read with reference to 
cotton, tliat “ both by Europeans and by iS’■ati^'es 
it is beiTig tried more or less experimentally in 
various parts of the Island, and in some cases witli 
considerable success. A^aluable addition has been 
made to the literature of the subject, notably by 
the prize essays publi.sh.od in the Ceylon Indepen- 
dent. The cultivation is simple and inexpensive, 
while under favourable circumstances the yields 
are quick and very considerable. Insect" pests 
and a wet climate are the two difficulties v Inch 
will probably prevent any large cultivation 
throughout the planting districts. But it seems 
probable that in the drier parts of the country 
the enterpri.se will be profitable to the native in his 
chena and to European companies in large 
j)lantations. 
INDIGENOUS FOOD PRODUCTS : 
CULTIA'ATED AND AAMLD. 
By W. a. De Sil-S'A. 
M.elmtomaceae. 
,36. Melastonia Malahathrieinn, L. Sin. 
Bowitya, Katakaluwa. 
This is a shrub, which grows wild in the hot- 
ter parts of Ceylon, and especially abundant near 
.streams and marshy grounds. 'The shrub grows 
to the height of from 5 to 8 feet ; the stems 
being thin and covered with an ashy yellowisli 
bark having a coarse surface. 'The stems are 
branched into small twigs which bear the leaves 
and flowers. The leaves which are green, have 
three prominent ribs, entire margins, and are of 
an eliptical shape; the surfaces of the leaves 
being hairy. Clusters of regular flowers, hav- 
ing a purj)le corolla, are borne on the twigs, and 
these giv<‘ place to a fruit covered with a 
course leathery covering which bursts when ripe 
and e.xposes a bluish-coloured pulp divided into 
flvt? or more cai'i)els and containing very small 
seed. 
This pulp is eaten by children, and it stains 
the mouth a blackish colour, hence the Sinhale.se 
name Katakaluwa. and the generic name Jje- 
lantoma. The pulp is of a sweetish, very slightly 
aromatic taste, by no means unpleasant. Ij, 
some districts the plant is found to such a large 
extent, and the fruits borne in such large 
quantities, that the lattsr may with advantage 
be used in making preserves and jams. 
37. Memecylon Capite.Uatnm, L. Sin. AA’clikaha. 
’This i.s a low shrub which grow.s wild in the 
lowcouutry of Ceylon. In some rare instances 
the plants grow up with a single stem to about 
six to eight feet. The stem, though thin, is very 
hard and flexible ; the leaves are dark green and 
are_ of an ovate shape, with an acute ape.x and 
entire margin. The whole leaf has a shiny ajopear- 
auce. The flower, s are borne in clusters on the 
stem and are of a violet colour. The fruits are 
round and small, and borne in clu.sters containing 
from fifty to hundred crowded together. These 
when young are of a pale green colour, but when 
npe become jet black, and when crushed show 
a blue colour'. The black pulp surrounding the 
seed is eaten. This pulp is of a sweetish taste, 
tuul stains the mouth blue. Like the last-described 
fruit this rrray also be used irr making preserves. 
The leaves aird chips of roots and .stern of this 
plairt.s arc used irr dyeing. 
Cucurbttaceae. 
08. Luffu Aeyyptiaca, Mill. Sin. Nyauwetakolu. 
This is a peretrtrial creeper Avhich groAvs even 
rir high eleratioiLS in Ceylon. Sometimes it 
creeps to great lengths. Tlie leaves are palmati- 
hd and are covered with soft hairs. The 
flowe^rs are monoeciotrs. The fruits are cylin- 
dncal in shape and attain a length of from ' 9 to 
Indies; irr air unripe state they are cut into 
small pieces and made into curries. AFhen ripe 
the flbro-vascular bundles are developed and tlie 
friiit.s become h,ard and leathery. 
39. Luffa Acutanuula, Rox. Sin. Darawetakolu, 
Tims IS a cultivated vegetable which is 
generally found in villages, but it also grows 
wild in some place.s. It is a creeping plant with 
a thill green-coloured .stern ami dark-rrreen 
palmatifid leaves. The flowers are monoedous. 
The fruits are from 9 to 12 inche,3 in length 
narrow at the base, but gradually incr-easing in 
diameter towarrls the extremity. The fruit ig 
coiered ivith a thickly-veined epicarp, whick 
in a young .state is very soft, and sharp angular 
ridges are formed on the surface of the fruit 
In a young state the fruit is esteemed a good 
vegetable and is hence grown to a large e.xdent 
in the native vegetable gardens. In the markets 
these fruits fetch from half-a-cent to a cent each 
A ci-epier produces many fruits and continues to 
bear for nearly two years. 
40. Momordica Chavantia, L. Sin. Kariwila. 
This is a creeping plant witi, a very thin wirv 
pentagonal stem, having a lai-ge quantity of 
brauenes and leave.s. The M. Charantia i.s larceK- 
cultivated 1.1 native vegetable gardens, but R 
also grows wild. Tlie leaves are durk-green and 
palmatifid, and the flowers monoeciou.s. The 
fruit difters in size in diffm-ent varietie.s ig 
succulent, and has protuberances on the outer 
surface. In sliape it is long and angular 
In an unripe .state the fruits ai-e of a green 
colour whmh turns to yellowish-red when the J 
are ripe. The .seeds of the ripe fruits are coi'cre^^ 
