196 TOBACCO. 



used for the coming crop, and this state of things will 

 continue for many years to come ; indeed, hitherto only a 

 small portion of the ground cultivated (not one-fifth) has 

 borne two crops, although it is expected that, unless fresh 

 ground is taken up by the planters, a time will arrive 

 when use must be made of old fallow lands, and then 

 guano will be required. 



" The planters consist of three or four large companies, 

 principally Dutch — such as the Deli Company, the Amster- 

 dam Deli, and the Batavia Deli — as well as of individual 

 planters of many nationalities, Germany and Switzerland 

 being strongly represented, while there are also a good 

 sprinkling of Englishmen, the principal English firm being 

 the Langkat Plantations Company, with its headquarters 

 in London. 



" The grants of land are taken direct from the chiefs 

 before mentioned, and are only valid after confirmation 

 at Bengkalis. The term is for 75 years, and for such a 

 grant a sum of money, by way of premium, amounting to 

 from 1 dol. to 2 dol. per bouw (equal to an acre and two- 

 thirds), is paid in cash, while an annual rent of 40 c. a 

 bouw, payable at the expiration of the fifth year, is also 

 reserved. Such at least are the terms of the last recog- 

 nised agreements. The whole of the conveniently-situated 

 land in the three districts before-mentioned has now been 

 taken up, and it is only in the outlying regions that fresh 

 ground can be obtained ; but as in such outlying regions 

 settled government is not so well established, the Dutch 

 authorities are now very chary in confirming grants in 

 places where the tobacco-growing community would be 

 less under control. 



