CINNAMON 211 



of the pulp by trampling on them, or otherwise removing 

 it. They are then well washed in water and dried in 

 the air without exposing them to the sun, which soon 

 would destroy them. Seeds that float in the water are 

 to be rejected. 



The seeds are either planted at stake or raised in a 

 nursery, and then transferred to their future position in 

 the estate when sufficiently well grown. 



Planting at Stake. The ground in which the plants 

 are to be grown is first prepared by being cleared of 

 brushwood and small trees. Some large trees are left 

 as shade, at distances of 50 or 60 ft. apart. The lines 

 are drawn out, and the holes for the seed dug at from 

 6 to 12 ft. apart. A square foot of soil is dug up, 

 stones and roots removed, and the ashes of the brushwood 

 and felled trees, which have been previously burnt, are 

 spread over the spots dug. Holes are made in each 

 space with a a dibble, and from four or five to a dozen 

 or more seeds put in each hole, and covered up with 

 about 1 in. of soil ; over this is laid a covering of 

 branches to prevent the earth from being parched and 

 to shelter the seedlings when they appear. The seeds 

 germinate in ten or twelve days. In damp weather 

 most of the seeds germinate and form quantities of 

 cinnamon shoots. But if the weather is too dry they 

 are apt to refuse to germinate, or the seedlings when 

 they have made some growth may die off, and supplies 

 must be available to replace the losses. 



Planting in Nurseries. Nurseries for raising 

 cinnamon seedlings are made by selecting a piece of 

 good rich soil and digging it well over to break it up, 

 removing stones, roots, etc. The beds are made 3 ft. 

 long, with suitable drainage channels round, and these 

 beds are lined 6 in. apart, and at every 6 in. along the 

 line half a handful of seed is dropped and covered 1 

 in. deep ; over the beds is put a platform of sticks to 

 support the kadjang, or pandanus-leaf roof, or whatever 

 roofing may be conveniently obtained. The beds are 

 watered from time to time in the dry weather, until in 



