.878 



THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 



[June 2, 1884. 



To the Editor of the Ceylon Obsen'cr. 



NOTES FROM TATOY. 



The Model Duko Estate, Tavoy, British Burma, 



24th March 1S81. 



Deae Sie, — Moung-ma-gan is tlio Biigliton of British 

 Burma, iauU Tavoy, in the Tavoy district, on the sea- 

 coast, about eight or iiiue miles flirect west from Tavoy. 

 A most lovely place it is, sheltered by au arm protectiug 

 the north-east and another arm jjrotectiug the south-west. 

 Away at a distance is the Moscos Islands, wliich extend 

 in a chain parallel to the sea-coast from lat. 14 ^ 23' 

 N. D. to lat. 13 ° 47' N., and are distant from it from 

 three to five leagues, having a safe channel inside between 

 them and the coast, with soumlings mostly from 10 to 

 15 fathoms deepening generally nearer the islands. These 

 islands are divided into three groups, called Hien-toesai, 

 Moung-ma-gan aud Loungloon respectively. These islands 

 protect the lovely sea-be:ich at Moung-ma-gan, where there 

 is a substantial Government biuigalow built, and the two 

 padres' bungalows. The background is interspersed with 

 noble casuariua ; it resembles the pine but is by far more 

 elegant, a most remarkable tree growing SO feet high and 

 spreading out without a leaf of covering, but hanging 

 iu drooping bunches or floating out lightly upon the 

 breeze like long skeins of deep green sik. 



Tlie distance from arm to arm from the south- 

 west to the north-east, I would reckon, is about 

 nine miles. The bungalows are built about the 

 centre or a little nearer the south-west arm. Perhaps 

 the curiosities are, on the N. E. side, the turtles and 

 hot springs, on the S. "W". side the temple of snakes or 

 serpents. The l)athiug ground is perfectiou, so shallow that 

 a child could scarcely drowu, and the saud firm ; when 

 the tide goes back you could drive your trap nicely all 

 along the beach. 



You see the Burmese fishermen fishing with a not fixed 

 on to two bamboos ; it looks exactly like a barrow without 

 a wheel, and they go driving along at a good trot. The other 

 net I noticed them using was on the principle of a river- 

 net in Oeylon, circular, with lead fixed on the outside. 

 The fish is plentiful, and they know when and where to 

 throw their net, and at times take out over two dozens 

 at a cast. The fish from the sea is quite a treat ; they 

 are all carried over to the Tavoy market early in the 

 mornings by women and sold in the market. Tavoy has 

 got a splendid market-place, as good as Colombo nearly. 

 The first time I was taken over to Monng-nia-g.an by Dr. 

 Dawsun, I was so delighted with my trip, and, anxious 

 to get back again, as I did not see the temple of snakes, 

 we had not time, as we made the journey there and 

 back in one day, but we bathed aud rolled and tumbled 

 iu the water just like two boys ; we were delighted with 

 our trip, and, on the followiug week, Palmer, Dejmty 

 Conservator of Forests, asked me .to accompany him 

 and remain a night ; I accepted his invitation, and back wo 

 went, bathed and went and inspected the "sacred temple" 

 of serpents. "Where art thou, O Father Colombo ? This 

 temple is a house not made by human hands. Let us 

 examine it. "Where are the windows and doors, to the 

 east ? No : direct west ; but where are the serpents ? Look 

 into this door. Don't be afraid, they are hushed to deep 

 sleepby the surging waves of the mighty deep blue sea; there 

 they are entwined together, one of the greatest curiosities I 

 have ever seen in my life-time. 



In returning from the temple of serpents, we gathered a 

 number of beautiful shells ; saw a number of oyster shells 

 and a few sponges washed on shore. To the right of the 

 bungalow is the home of the turtles ; they come out and 

 deposit their eggs in the sand and are collected and sold 

 in Tavoy. A Burmese has a mouoply on them: they can be 

 bought forR10,or even less sometimes. We slept atMoung- 

 ma-gau at the bungalow aud enjoyed ourselves and felt all 

 the better for a dip of sea-water. I have not seen the 

 hot springs as yet, but intend to explore them at another 

 time when I have got more time in band. 



Someone asks how to germinate " teak seed." Keep 

 the seed iu a dark place. mixed with decayed leaves, and 



keep all damp hut not wet; directly they germ, put them 

 out in beds about 6 inches apart and about \ inch into 

 the ground, throw a light-checkered shade over them and 

 water sparingly. Teak will not grow well in a wet climate ; 

 it does not thrive well in Tavoy district. 



27th March 1884. 



Burned off my now clearing today; had a first-rate burn ; 

 had a narrow escape with my bungalow as the fires were 

 all round. I had about eight men on the buugulow, the 

 fire raged furious for a while, but the Burmese seemed to 

 bo in their element and sprinkled water here and there ami 

 waved green branches and saved my habitation, my SheU.ie 

 "ginger" scraped and snored, and my few Ramsamies 

 worked hard. But Ramasami is a cute fellow : they took 

 out all their Ijoxes and chattels from the Hues ; thia was more 

 than their master did with his chatties. 



Henaratgoda "William's seeds have come up all right ac- 

 cordiugto their instructions. Divi-divi up nicely, a beautif-d 

 feathery-looking plautie. Black wattle and silver wattle 

 also up ; also croton oil seed. Coffee and cardamoms have 

 not had sufficient time yet according to their nature, but 

 I have iu here one pound of cardamom seeds, belonging to 

 Captain Schwolky ; they are Mysore variety aud have come 

 up like cabbage piants^could not be better. Schwolky found 

 out the great secret how to germinate them himself. 



People seem to have little knowledge of where Tavoy 

 is ; their geographical knowledge regarding British Burma 

 is only limited : one man thinks it 's awfully moist au'l un- 

 healthy, and another wants to know if the land is anywhere 

 near King Theebaw ! The climate is similar to Ceylon and 

 healthy for Europeans in the extreme ; they all get fat, 

 although I am one of the tough lean kind. The rainfall this 

 year, lyO inches. The raiu commences showery in 

 April and May. In June the monsoon sets in, and 

 breaks up in July the end off ; then from Jidy to 

 middle of November nice showers ; no raiu from 

 middle of November to middle of February ; then a few 

 nice showers only ; also a f^w showers in March, a heavy dew 

 at night, just the thing for the young planties. The blossom 

 season same as in Ceylon : January, February an -1 March, 

 blossom in all the jungle, and also coffee and all fruit-bearing 

 trees, durian, maogosteen, caju-nuts, etc., etc. ; and as for 

 '• King Theebaw," he is farther away from me than old 

 homie. 



31st March I8S4. 



Cacao seed ought to be packed in dry straw, and put 

 into a barrel, borod over with small holes and sent as 

 '• perishable goods " direct by B. I. dak mail-steamers 

 addressed via Calcutta, not via Madras. All seeds ought to 

 be forwarded so, and the little extra charges in freight n t 

 taken into consideration. They are most careless in Afnilias, 

 and good, "seeds," to the value of over K600, have 

 been spoiled in their goilowns through their careless, 

 ness : the seeds were simply rotten befoi-o they reached 

 Tavoy two months on the journey, when it only takes IS 

 days via (Calcutta.— I am, dear sir, yours faithfully, 



JAMES D. WATSON. 



AN ALLEGED CONQUEST OF LEAF- 

 DISEASE. 



Ootacamund, 10th April 18S4. 

 Deak Sir,— After over twenty years' experience in 

 coffee, the latter part of which I have devoted to 

 leaf-disease, I have boon 30 fortunate as to work 

 out a syatem of tillage which has nullilicd this peat 

 on all climates, soils and elevations to be found in 



It is by no means expensive, and 1 have luli con- 

 Hdeuce that its results will make coffee pay well if 

 it keeps up to XOO per ton. 



You are aware that I am unable to protect a sys- 

 tem of culture by patent. I shall therefore require 

 As80ciat;oi>s, Coffee Oomi-anios, joint and riubt pro- 

 prietors and 'heir legal n^iiroseotatives to enter into 

 the fodowmg terms thai they I'ive me a gross on e- 

 fouith value of amount of coffee my system produces 

 ill tlie ooniin:,' five years as over the average of the 



