208 SPICES 



CHAP. 



Honourable East India Company possessed the monopoly 

 of cinnamon till 1833. When the monopoly was 

 abolished and the Government ceased to be the sole 

 exporters, the trade passed into the hands of the 

 merchants of Ceylon. There was, however, so large an 

 export duty, viz. from one-third to a half of the value, 

 that the cultivation began to fall off, especially as it 

 had to compete with cinnamon raised in Java and 

 cassia from China. This duty was removed in 1853. 



The cultivation of the plant was introduced into 

 Java by the Dutch in 1825. 



NAMES OF CINNAMON 



The oldest name for the spice seems to be the Greek 

 /cwvdfjutofjLov ; Chinese, Tienchu Kwei (Kwei, cassia ; lit. 

 Indian cassia) ; Persian, Arabic, Darchini (China bark), 

 also Hindustani ; Malay, Kayu Manis, from which 

 Garcia derives the word Cassia ; Arabic, Querfaa or 

 Querfe (Garcia); Singhalese, Cuurdo (Garcia), Kur- 

 undo ; Malabar, Cameaa ; Tamil, Karruwa puttay ; 

 Telugu, Sanalinga putta ; Dutch, Cancel ; Portuguese, 

 Canela ; French, Cannelle ; German, Kaneel. 



CULTIVATION 



Soil. A rather elevated situation is most favourable 

 -to the cultivation of cinnamon, and a sandy loam 

 mixed with decayed vegetable matter is recommended 

 as that in which it flourishes best. Like many other 

 cultivated plants, it is reported to grow best near 

 houses. This is doubtless due to the waste and refuse 

 thrown out from the houses acting as manure to the 

 plant. 



In the Straits Settlements the plant seems to grow 

 readily and well in most soils, not too wet, even 

 flourishing in stiff and inferior clay ; red and dark 

 brown lateritic soils, so long as the ground is not rocky 

 or full of stones, has proved quite satisfactory. 



