( 73 ) 



tte other evergreens which spring up between them. Of this natural course, advantage 

 might be taken, and, instead of the Urticece, already named, the rhea plant might first be 

 grown, which would perform the same services as the evergreens before mentioned, and would 

 at the same time give a handsome outturn. The damp valleys of the Pegu Yomah, and 

 more especially those of Martaban, are well adapted for tlie cultivation of rhea, and it is 

 difficult to understand why this plant has not yet been cultivated there. Requiring little or 

 no attention, growing like a weed in favourably exposed grounds, and more especially along 

 ehoungs, it would soon become a source of wealth for Burma. In similar places in the Mar- 

 taban hills, the Chinese green dye {Rhamnus cJdorophorun) might advantageously be intro- 

 duced. I also pointed out, while in Burma, the suitability of the Martaban hills for 

 the tea plant, which would flourish there on account of the alkaline substrata and the 

 favourable climate. The scantiness of the population, and the consequent high wages for labour 

 in these districts, are, however, hindrances to the cultivation of the plant. I have Itttle 

 doubt, however, that experimental plantations could be established amongst the Christian 

 Karens, and that they would soon voluntarily propagate a plant which would give them a 

 favourite beverage. 



Dr F. v. Mueller has suggested that the laborious manual process of curling the fresh tea- 

 leaves under moderate heat could be superseded by adopting rollers for the purpose, worked and 

 heated by steam, which no doubt would simplify matters considerably. Tea could, however, 

 hardly be manufactured in its commercial form by the Karens themselves, and a field is there- 

 fore open to any enterprising person who might be disposed to establish factories amongst a tea- 

 planting population and to purchase the supply of leaves from the producers. It is only sur- 

 prising, that no similar enterprising attempt has yet been made amongst the silk and tobacco 

 producing Karens and Yebaings with regard to the collection of the silk cocoons, the reeling of 

 the silk and the production of larger quantities of tobacco, etc. In fact, I think that such pri- 

 vate enterprise should be encouraged, for it lays the germs of an extended activity in our 

 commercial relations with these tribes. 



The famous acari and other wingless insects that attacked so many of the Bengal tea- 

 plantations to the great loss of the planters, might possibly be repelled by simply planting bhang 

 (Cannabis sgtiva) between the rows of the tea-plants. Should the strong smell impair the 

 flavour of the product, these bhang plants might be grown as a broad cordon (say 4 to 5 feet 

 broad) along the borders of the plantation, and thus prevent the acari, etc., from passing through 

 it. This is not a new idea, but is often resorted to in Germany for similar contingencies. 



Much, however, remains to be known of the history of these insects, of the time of their 

 appearance, etc., before we can plant the hemp at the proper season to arrest their ravages. 



On the Martaban hills large quantities of Apei'ula grow, a tree that yields a fair quantity 

 of benzoin, but is now cut down lavislily by the Karens. Ciimamomum parthenoxylon, which 

 yields sassafras not inferior to that of North America, is also not unfrequent in Tenasserim, 

 and probably also in Martaban. The introduction and cultivation of gutta-percha (I-Honamlra 

 gutta) in Southern Tenasserim would prove a success. In fact a species of gutta percha, very 

 nearly allied to Is. gutta (I. obovata), grows wild, and it would be worth while to examine 

 its product. Cajaputi trees are also found in Southern Tenasserim and would give employ- 

 ment to an intelligent manufacturer. 



The camphor tree ( Dn/obalanops camphora) might possibly be grown in the southern 

 provinces of Tenasserim (Mergui), though its unquestionable success can only be looked for 

 in Malacca and Singapore. The same may be said of cacao (T/ieobroma cacao) and true 

 vanille (Vanilla aromatica). The clove-tree {Caryophyllus aromaticus) , true cinuamom (Gin- 

 namomum Zeijlanicum), nutmeg {Mi/risiica moschata) Styax benzoin, Uncaria gambir and pepper 

 are other products worthy of cultivation in the South. 



Coffee, which I have heard recommended as an object for enterprise in Pegu, could hard- 

 ly be cultivated successfully in the upper parts of Burma ; at least it cannot be expected to 

 flourish there. Malacca is the best country for it, and it is there that it finds a soil and 

 climate similar to, or, I should say, identical with, the western coasts of Sumatra, from whence 

 the Dutch derive such a large share for their market. 



I turn now to those toungyas which are cut in upper mixed forests, and with which a 

 forester in Pegu is particularly interested. Two varieties can be distinguished by the sub- 

 stratum : the one established on older and richer alkali rocks, such as schists, syenites, etc. (in 

 Martaban), and those on permeable silicious sandstone in Pegu. I have not suflicieutly stuilied 

 the first named variety, and must, therefore, restrict my remarks to the latter. The Mar- 

 ban hills, East of the Sittang, being of a less rugged nature, and having their spurs usually 

 more rounded, have a greater area of toungyas than the Yomah. The destruction of forests 

 going on there is simply alarming, and cau only be explained by assuming that there is no 

 control over permits for cutting toungyas. The yield of rice crops in the Pegu Yomah is 

 said to be from 60 to 80 fold. I can rely but little on Karen information, but in the second 

 year, it is said the return is only ^ to 5 of that amount, and for this reason the ya is aban- 

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