Statistics of Nuti/iegs. 143 



into the market, in increased quantities, to be sold for what 

 it would bring (for private cultivators or merchants could not 

 afford to hold back and regulate the quantity like the Govern- 

 ment), a very serious fall would inevitably result, which would 

 no doubt be permanent and steady ; because, as regards nut- 

 megs, it may be safely stated that the supply already exceeds 

 the demand, and that any increase in the supply can only be 

 got off by submitting to a reduction in price. That we may 

 not be suspected of exaggerating in regard to the Moluccan 

 plantations, we refer the reader to Count Hogendorp's Ac- 

 count of them, and of the wretched management to which 

 they were subjected at the time Avhen he wrote, and which 

 prevails at the present moment. Throwing them open to 

 private enterprise, could not but liave the effect of improving 

 and probably extending the cultivation to a large extent, and 

 of course causing a very lai'ge increase in the production. 

 The Dutch Government at present derive little or no profit 

 from the monopoly, so that it is very likely it will be soon 

 abolished, in compliance with the demand which is now made 

 in Holland, as well as in the colonies, for a more liberal .sys- 

 tem of trade ; and there is no doubt that the giving it up would 

 be a popular measure. Already, the influence of free trade 

 has penetrated into tliat so long jealously-guarded region, and 

 the making Menado and Kima, which are under tlie Molucca 

 Government, free ports, may only be the prelude to openino- 

 the Spice Islands tliemselves to the general trade, a measure 

 which, of course, would entail along with it the necessity of 

 abolishing the monopoly of spices. 



It may appear that we have written rather discouragingly 

 regarding nutmeg planting, and that the picture we have 

 drawn of it is as much too sombre as that of Dr Oxley was 

 too bright and glowing. We have, however, only given such 

 facts and information as we could collect: from these we 

 leave others to draw their own conclusions. It is probable 

 that persons who have plantations already at maturity, or 

 who, having capital, can afford to form their plantations with 

 rapidity, and by high culture force the production, may still, 

 foi- a considerable time to come, find nutmeg cultivation a 

 source of profit, but to those who embark in it with but limit- 

 ed means, and can only extend their cultivation by gradual 



