Infarmatwn about the Coffee. Tree. 281 



ing. 'Within call from this leafy residence, a long line of build- 

 ings, of similar construction, is run up before sunset for the coolies 

 and their native overseers, as well as for tlie planter's single ser- 

 vant. The first care of the planter is then to select a suitable 

 spot for the " nursery," in which to raise a sufficient quantity of 

 young seedlings for yjlanting out at the proper season. This be- 

 ing found, the ground well turned up, and the seed sown, the 

 work of felling the forest commences, with the view of securing 

 as much available land as possible for the plants that will 

 be ready to put out during the ensuing rains. The operation ol 

 felling, although apparently a very ordinary affair, is in these 

 places one requiring considerable judgment, with a view to eco- 

 nomizing time and labor. Much of not only the cost, but of the 

 future success of the coffee estate, will depend upon the judicious 

 " fall" that may be made. Trees here are never cut down singly, 

 neither indeed are they cut until they fall by the stroke of the 

 axe ; experience has taught the planter an economical lesson in 

 this respect. It has been already said that these plantations are 

 formed on the slopes of mountain forest-land : it is rare, indeed, 

 that a piece of quite flat ground is met with in tliese precipitous re- 

 gions. In placing his party of axe-men to work, the planter com- 

 mences at the base of the hill, and works gradually upwards in a 

 straight line : two men usually work at each tree, and occasion- 

 ally, when those are of large size, three axes will be placed at one 

 trunk. The rapidity and regularity of stroke nf these workmen 

 is trul)' astonishing ; and a prettier sight can liardly be met with 

 than a felling party of sixty or a hundred coolies scattered appa- 

 rently in disorder, but really in great method, and plying ih'' 

 bright, sharp axes as merrily and untiringly as though they wer;- 

 the merest toys, and had only just commenced. The trees thus 

 attacked are not, however, cut through sufficiently to make them 

 fall ; they will be cut about half through, when the ax(Mnen pass 

 to the next, and so on until the party have maimed a Mhole legion 

 of trees in a straight line from the base to the brow of the hill. 



Then comes the interesting sight, and, to a stranger, a rathei- 

 alarming one. The whole gang of coolies are mustered together 

 in a line across the top of this moimtain of wounded forest-kings : 

 two men to a tree, they stand prepared for action, and at a signal 

 a whistle, or a blast on a huge conch-shell, away fly the bright 

 axes, ringing against the stubborn old trees, and this time they 



