IV 



CLOVES 163 



fellen in Belgian, are known as mother-cloves in England. 

 Rumphius gives as Malay names polong and ibu 

 chingkeh. 



CULTIVATION 



The plant is usually grown from seed, but can be 

 propagated by layers. In Zanzibar the method of rais- 

 ing from seed is as follows. The seeds are first soaked 

 in water for three days, and when germination has set 

 in, they are planted out about 6 in. apart in shaded beds, 

 with the bud end above-ground. It is usual to put 

 two seeds together to provide against failures. If a large 

 number of plants are put down the seeds are placed 

 about 3 to 4 in. apart. The beds are about 6 ft. wide 

 and of any length. They are shaded by a flat frame- 

 work of sticks, over which is placed a layer of dry 

 grass or coco-nut leaves. The framework is about 3 

 to 3J ft. high. The young plants are watered morning 

 and evening by the coolies, wherever the soil has 

 become dry, water being sprinkled by hand from a jar. 

 This is done as long as the seeds are not developed 

 thoroughly. When the plants are above-ground it is 

 done every other day ; when 6 in. high every week or 

 ten days. The plants are kept from nine months to a 

 year in the beds. When they are about 6 in. tall they 

 are gradually hardened off by partially removing the 

 shading, and are then left in the beds exposed to the 

 sun for a month or two before planting out. 1 



In Amboyna, either the seeds are taken and raised 

 in beds, as above described, or young plants that are 

 found about the estate are taken out and transplanted. 

 The plants raised from seed, though luxuriant, are not 

 thought to be as fruitful as self-sown plants. 



In Bencoolen, Sumatra, the seeds were planted in 

 rich mould 12 in. apart from each other, screened from 

 the sun and duly watered. They germinate within five 

 weeks, and when 4 ft. tall are transplanted to distances 

 of 30 ft. apart, with a small admixture of sand with the 



1 Consular Report, Zanzibar, 1892, p. 266. 



