69 



Coffee. — The cultivation and trade in coffee, as is well 

 known, have been entirely created and developed within the 

 last 40 years. The value of the coffee exported in IS 89-90 

 amounted to IJ crores of rupees. Tt is estimated that the 

 amount expended on the maintenance of coffee plantations on 

 the Nilgiris alone is 20 lakhs of rupees, of which about one-third 

 is paid as wages to coolies and goes to support 14,000 laboimng 

 families from the plains. 23 large works for curing coffee 

 have been established, the outturn being estimated at 18^ 

 million lb. valued at nearly one crore of rupees. These works 

 afford employment to 7,500 hands. 



Indigo is another article of export which has rapidly pro- 

 gressed within the last 40 years. In 1855-56 the exports were 

 2*9 million lb. valued at 43 lakhs of rupees. In 1889-90 the 

 quantity exported was 6*1 million lb. and the value 1*19 crores. 

 The Collector of Cuddapah, in which district indigo is ex- 

 tensively manufactured, writing in 1853, states that at the 

 commencement of the century " the manufacture of indigo was 

 in its rudest state, and the plant from which it is extracted 

 grown to a limited extent ; the cultivation of this plant was 

 formerly confined to the south-eastern portion of the district, 

 but now is gradually extending to the north and west. The 

 indigo itself was manufactured in earthen pots with great 

 labour and considerable expense, and was of inferior quality, 

 but in later years a more improved and better system of 

 manufacture has been introduced and the culture of the plant 

 greatly increased. The produce of this plant from its quality 

 is well known in the European markets, and its culture has 

 proved of the greatest benefit to the cultivators both rich and 

 poor, as a ready market is found for any quantity which may be 

 grown ; the poorer ryots receive advances without interest from 

 the wealthy firms who have established indigo manufactories, 

 and who, should their crop be insufficient to repay the advances 

 received, are seldom pressed for payment, unless it is ascertained 

 that they are endeavouring to defraud those from whom they 

 have received liberal advances, by disposing of their crop to 

 another party. This system to a considerable extent relieves 

 the poorer ryots from the exorbitant interest demanded by 

 village bakalls and shroffs, and thus, instead of being ruined by 

 usurious interest, they with a little care and management may 

 repay all their advances from their crops during the following 

 year, and obtain sufficient profit to satisfy the Sircar demand 

 and to maintain themselves and families." The manufacture 

 of indic^o has, however, since passed entirely into the hands of 

 natives, while the area under indigo and the production of the 

 dye have itfcreased. The reason why European agencies cannot 



