142 Statistics of Nutmegs. 



in 1834, averaged yeai'ly about 352,2261b., and, during the 

 eleven years ending 184.5, about 664,060 lb. yearly. The 

 quantity of mace exported, during the first period, averaged 

 94,304 lb. yearly, and during the last 169,4601b. yearly. 



The average yearly consumption of nutmegs and mace in 

 Great Britain is estimated at about 140,000 lb. The pro- 

 duce of the Sti-aits settlements in 1842, was reckoned at, nut- 

 megs 147,034 lb., and mace 44,822 lb., thus being more 

 than equal to the whole consumption of Great Britain. The 

 rest of Europe, it has been estimated, takes about 280,000 

 lb. of nutmegs, and 33,000 lb. of mace ; India about 216,000 

 lb. of nutmegs, and 30,000 lb. of mace ; and China about 15,000 

 lb. of nutmegs, and about 2000 lb. of mace. As these quan- 

 tities, however, would leave a surplus production of nutmegs 

 alone above 250,000 lb., it is probable they are now con- 

 siderably under the real amounts. In ten years, from 1832 

 to 1842, the exports of nutmegs and mace from Pinang were 

 trebled, and from the very great extension in the cultivation 

 which is constantly going on, it is probable that the same re- 

 sult at least, will take place in the ten years succeeding to 

 the above period, viz., from 1842 to 1852. During these ten 

 years, from 1832 to 1842, tlie price of nutmegs in Pinang fell 

 from ten and twelve dollars per 1000, to from four to five dol- 

 lars per 1000. They have since kept at the latter rate, owing 

 no doubt to the means taken by the Dutch, who at present 

 regulate the marliet, to maintain the price ; but it niust be no 

 less evident, that, with the large accumulations which this 

 occasions, and the enormous increase in the production, the 

 price must sooner or later give way, as it has done before, 

 and go down permanently to a considerably lower rate. If 

 a decrease takes place at longer or shoi'ter intervals, notwitli- 

 standing all the pains used by the Dutch to keep up the mar- 

 ket, what would be the result were the spice monopoly abo- 

 li.shed, and the trade' and cultivation rendered free and unre- 

 stricted ? There would, without any extension of the culti- 

 vation in the Moluccas, but merely from greater care and 

 skill being applied by the persons who would probably em- 

 bark in it, be a very considerable increase in the production 

 from the present plantations. The produce being sent at once 



