63 



tually evaporated by the sun. No air can possibly gain 

 admission into such a soil as every pore is full to excess of 

 water. The continuous and gradual process of decomposi- 

 tion is therefore entirely checked, and plants growing in 

 such a soil are absolutely starved and frequently poisoned 

 by the noxious combinations which result. Insoluble 

 humates, silicates, and protoxides, are formed, each of which 

 exert a most pernicious influence on vegetation. In, virgin 

 Forest soil, a young plant finds every condition present 

 calculated to favor its growth ; but after the land has been 

 cropped, worked, and exposed, every obstacle that can 

 be imagined, seems to put in an appearance, and it 

 devolves on the cultivator to endeavour by artificial 

 means to remedy the evil. Although with Coffee a 

 rotation of crops cannot be instituted, still we may at least 

 try a change of seed, and even better, a change of variety of 

 plant. Every Gardener knows the peculiarities of disposi- 

 tion, and requirements, of the various, varieties of Rose or 

 Fruit tree. We all know one variety to be hardier than 

 another ; and also in the vegetable garden we are frequently 

 made aware that one sort of Lettuce or Carrot will thrive 

 when another absolutely refuses to come on. In Coffee the 

 same is undoubtedly the case, and it has recently been proved 

 beyond a doubt, that be the technical reasons what they may, 

 a change of seed, and also of variety are the first steps towards 

 success in the matter of vacancies and reclamation. We 

 must not however run away with the idea that we 

 have solved the problem entirely, as experience shows 

 us that a great deal is required in the matter of care, and 

 attention to the management of the soil in which our opera- 

 tion of planting is to be performed, as well as to the rearing 

 of the plant in the Nursery, and the method employed for 

 establishing it permanently in the plantation. Any attempt 

 to " Stick down'' a highly forced plant in a hap-hazard sort 

 of way will surely result in a failure, and it would be pre- 

 ferable to take a bundle of plants and bury them in the 

 nearest ravine, than to take the trouble of planting them 

 out in a weedy and otherwise neglected field of Coffee. I 



