THE NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES 251 



plantations, in order to reduce the cost of accommoda- 

 tion and medical attendance. 



The organization of a rubber estate in Sumatra pre- 

 sents no exceptional difficulty. A grant of suitable 

 land must be secured from the Sultan of the district, 

 and this concession must be ratified by the Dutch 

 Assistant Resident. Arrangements are then made with 

 agents to secure the requisite number of Javanese or 

 Chinese coolies, and lines are erected to house the 

 labourers on arrival. Felling and clearing are com- 

 menced immediately and, probably, a portion of this 

 work is given out to Malay contractors. As soon as 

 the land is cleaned up after the de"bris of the timber 

 has been burnt, the work of lining and holing at once 

 begins. The planter will probably follow the custom of 

 the last five years, and cut holes 20 feet apart. When 

 holing is finished the work of filling takes place, and 

 planting commences as soon as the weather is favourable. 



If nurseries have not been formed, plants or stumps 

 can be purchased at prices of from 15 to 18 guilders 

 per 1,000. Many planters prefer planting seeds at 

 stake, and on several estates this method has given 

 excellent results. Weeding should commence imme- 

 diately the land is cleaned after the burn ; if this work 

 is thoroughly carried out, the estate will be free of 

 weeds at the end of the first year, and monthly weeding 

 can then be established at a low cost. Roads should be 

 made at the time the holes are cut, and, if any draining 

 is necessary, that work should have been taken in hand 

 simultaneously with the road-making. 



During the first year arrangements must be completed 

 for the construction of bungalows and other necessary 



