154 Proceedings of the late Dr Christie in India, 



quently in a climate probably of 70° to 73° of mean temperature. 

 Such is nearly the mean temperature of the valleys in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Kotagherry, and of many others along the Eastern 

 and Northern faces of the hills. The cultivation of this valuable 

 plant might therefore be attempted here, and with a much 

 better chance of success than in almost any country beyond the 

 limits of China. A little lower down than this, coffee might be 

 produced, its native habitation being on the sides of the lofty 

 mountains of Yemen, and nearly in the same latitude as the 

 Neilgherries. In these delightful regions I am going to esta- 

 blish my head quarters, and shall only make excursions to the 

 low country during the cool and healthy season. 



After having remained four or five weeks^ on the Neilgherries, 

 where I met with much attention from the Governor, I came to 

 Madras by way of Trichinopoly, Tanjore, (where I saw my 

 friend George BelFs brother), Cuddalore, and Pondicherry. 

 The geology of that tract of country is not very interesting, and 

 for some time I have been principally engaged with meteorology. 



Since I came here, I have had an unpleasant attack of my 

 old enemy the diarrhoea ; I am now, however, quite well, and 

 anxious to get out of this hot place, and back to the fine climate 

 of the mountains. The Governor has offered me a grant of 

 land there, and I believe I shall take a few acres, to be increased 

 hereafter if I choose. I intend to try the cultivation of coffee, 

 which is now produced equal to Mocha coffee, in considerable 

 quantity in Mysore, and affords a very large return, notwith- 

 standing it has to pay a duty, on account of being the produce 

 of a foreign state. But do not suppose I am going to enter into 

 any speculation, for I intend to run no risk, and my farming 

 operations will be an amusement to me while on the hills. I 

 intend to begin on a very small scale, and while my coffee trees 

 are coming up, I intend to raise vegetables, and particularly 

 potatoes, from the same ground, which I expect will prevent 

 me^sustaining any loss by those agricultural experiments. I 

 may only mention, that the expenses of cultivation on the 

 Neilgherries will not amount to 10 rupees per acre, carriage 

 of potatoes to Madras or Bombay will cost about from 6 to 8 

 rupees a candy of 500 pounds ; and at these places they sell for 

 2f rupees a maund of 25 lb. An acre will produce, I suppose, 

 from 15,000 to 20,000 tb. A common gardener, who had a few 



