228 



TROPICAL AGRICULTURE 



CHAP. 



The 

 cambium. 



Bark re- 

 newed 



quickly after 

 shaving. 



New bark 

 richer than 

 the old. 



The opera- 

 tion easy. 



it may be done expeditiously with an ordinary spokeshave. 

 The bark is shaved as near to the cambium layer as possible, 

 without, however, reaching it. The cambium is that portion 

 of the stem lying between the wood and the bark, and it 

 consists of a thin layer of delicate cells full of the vital fluids 

 of the tree. The bark is renewed quickly after shaving, but 

 if the cambium zone be injured, fresh bark will not be formed 

 at the seat of the injury. The new bark is always richer in 

 quinine than the original bark, and thus the system of shav- 

 ing has become general in the East. Some planters shave 

 the tree all round the trunk, but this is not to be recom- 

 mended the best plan being to shave two strips from each 

 side of the stem, and in this way the tree does not receive 

 injury. In dry weather it is usual to tie dry grass over the 

 shaved portions, but in most instances the trees if planted 

 closely will do well without this precaution. The operation 

 of shaving is easily learnt, and it is expeditious ; besides the 

 shavings are very convenient for drying and packing, and 

 crops may be harvested every seven months. 



Mr. Mclvor. MOSSING. This system was introduced by Mclvor, the 

 most distinguished of the able men who established the 

 Indian cinchona plantations from the plants and seeds ob- 

 tained in South America by the successful labours of Mark- 

 ham, Spruce, and Cross. The operation is performed in the 

 following manner : The bark of trees, eight years old and 

 upwards, is removed as far as one can reach in alternate 

 ribbon-like strips \\ inches wide ; and, afterwards, the trunk 

 is protected by a covering of moss tied on with some fibrous 

 material. In damp weather the long wounds soon heal up, and 

 in less than two years the denuded portions of the trees be- 

 come covered with thick layers of bark richer in quinine 

 than the original ones. In about a year after the stripping 

 has been done, the bark that was left is to be removed, and 

 the trees again mossed up. It is said that there appears to 

 be no limit to the number of times the bark may be removed 



How the 

 mossing is 

 done. 



Renewed 

 f'han 

 oid bark. 



