298 



Presuming the acreage under " betel " " mixed with fruit '' 

 remains tlie same as it was 10 years ago, though it is unlikel)^ 

 there is a large decrease in acreage in the settlements wliere acreage 

 is definitely .stated. iSummarising the above we get — 



Acreage in 1910 — 8287 acres. 



„ 1914 — ±979 „ decrease 330'8 acres. 



„ 1918—4352 „ „ 627 acres. 



Giving a total decrease of 3935 acres in eight years. 



A comparison of the prices shows an upward trend. The dif- 

 ference in price per picul in eight years is very marked. 



Betel Leaf — (Piper Betle, L., see plate facing p. 298). 



This plant is a pepper and belongs to the Natural Order 

 Piperaceae. 



General Description — 



A perennial evergreen creeper or climber which grows to a 

 considerable height given the necessary support. It has large 

 heart-shaped leaves, which are thick and strongly 5 to 7-nerved. 

 It produces spikes 4 to 6 inches in length of flcsliy flowers which 

 often cohere into a cylindrical mass. 



