222 Mr. Hunter's Observations on Nauclea Gambir. 



one orlong (of eighty yards square) contains about seven hundred 

 plants. At the end of one year from the time when they are 

 planted in the field, a small crop of the leaves is obtained. A 

 larger is got in eighteen months ; and the third at the end of two 

 years, when the bushes have attained their full growth. They con- 

 tinue in their prime, and admit of being cut twice a year, during 

 a period of twenty or thirty years, provided care be taken to 

 keep the ground clean and the roots free from weeds. Their 

 tops must be cut so as to prevent them from growing to a greater 

 height than five or six feet. 



From good ground and a garden well kept, ten peculs (of 

 1334- lbs. each) of dry Gam beer are usually obtained on every 

 orlong twice a year, or twenty peculs per annum. As it is cut 

 every six months, and should then be boiled off, the leaves 

 ought to be of the same age; but, from a want of means, it 

 often happens that the year is nearly expired before the cutting 

 is done, which should have been made at the end of six months. 

 In this case the young leaves yield a whiter drug than the old. 

 As to the quantity afforded by each, in proportion to the weight 

 of leaves, I have received contradictory information, so that I 

 conclude little attention has b^en paid to this circumstance. 



The price of the drug, at Prince of Wales's Island, varies from 

 four to eight Spanish dollars per pecul. The finest and whitest 

 kind is that formed into little round cakes or lozenges. It is sold 

 by tale, at three dollars and a half for the Laxa (or 10,000), an(f 

 one Laxa weighs about 40 catties. This gives 8$. dollars for a 

 VecuL 



The price of'Sago at Prince of Wales's Island is generally about 

 three dollars per pecul. Hence the manufacturer is often tempt- 

 ed to adulterate his Gambeer with this article, which mixes in- 

 timately, but may be detected by solution in water. 



The 



