84 AGRICULTURE IN THE TROPICS [PT. II 



There is a very considerable trade in this spice, as the 

 following figures of export from the Straits Settlements will 

 show: 



pikuls l value 



Exports in 1911 360,545^ 7,359,985 dollars 



The common pepper, Piper nigrum, is a native of south- 

 eastern Asia, and is a climbing plant which if left alone grows 

 to a height of about twenty feet. It is cultivated in damp 

 climates, with a rainfall of 80 inches, or over, in the shade of 

 large trees, at distances of about seven feet apart, being planted 

 as cuttings. Sometimes the cuttings are trained upon artificial 

 supports, sometimes they are trained up the living trees which 

 were left for shade. The vine does not flower for about three 

 years, and comes into full bearing some years later. The fruit, 

 which is the part to be gathered, is a string of small berries, 

 greenish at first, then reddish, and finally yellow. Gathered 

 and dried as they are, these form black pepper, but if the outer 

 skins are removed (in various ways in different countries) before 

 they are dried, they form white pepper. The yield is said 

 to be very variable, differing in different years, and varying 

 from half a pound to seven pounds a plant. 



This difference in the yield points out one way in which it is 

 very probable that the yield of pepper can be improved, namely 

 by a careful selection of seed from the best bearers. A careful 

 study of the manuring of pepper is also required, with a view to 

 finding out which manures give the best returns. 



Betel-Pepper (Piper Betle) is largely cultivated in Ceylon, 

 India, Java, and other Eastern countries for its leaves, which 

 are chewed with lime and with the fruits of Areca palms in 

 the universal masticatory. The chewing of the leaves, which 

 contain an oil, is said to be good for the health, and the lime 

 provides an item which is often somewhat lacking in the diet 

 of a rice-feeding people. 



The plants are grown as cuttings, sometimes against poles, 

 sometimes against planted supports. The ground is very care- 

 fully and deeply tilled, and manuring is carried out with great 

 1 Apikul = 1331bs. 



