VIII 



PEPPERS 259 



and in planting bury them 6 in. in the ground. Some 

 urge that the cutting should have not less than seven 

 joints and two branches, or three for preference, all 

 above the upper branch to be cut off. Much shorter 

 cuttings will grow, but are naturally rather slower in 

 making a good bushy plantj Care is necessary in making 

 the cuttings to detach the roots by which the stem is 

 attached to the stake gently from the wood, and to 

 make the cuts clean and sharp, to avoid bruising the 

 stem or bud. The base of the cutting should be cut 

 smooth just below the swollen node, so that no bit of an 

 intern ode is left to rot below it when planted and cause 

 an invasion of fungi. The side-branches, except the two 

 youngest, are carefully cut off. 



Nurseries. It is possible in good localities and 

 good weather to plant the cuttings out in situ, without 

 developing them in a nursery, but it is better to raise 

 them in a nursery before planting out. The nurseries 

 are made in much the same way as those for vanilla 

 and other such plants. The ground is well dug and 

 drained if too wet, and if not sufficiently rich burnt 

 earth and charcoal with some cow-dung may be dug in. 

 The cuttings are planted in the beds, which should be 

 shaded with palm leaves or pandanus leaves, or any 

 other suitable light shade on sticks .or poles at some 

 height, say 5 ft. from the ground. The beds should be 

 watered when necessary, being kept damp and cool, but 

 not sodden. 



The cuttings should remain in the beds till they 

 have struck well and begun to make good growth, when 

 they should be removed to their future permanent 

 positions. 



A planter suggests, in the Ceylon Observer, the 

 following plan for a small clearing of 12 acres. All 

 the undergrowth and small trees should be cut down, so 

 as to admit an abundance of light, at the same time 

 affording a moderate degree of shade. Trees to support 

 from 250 to 300 vines to the acre should be retained. 

 The cuttings should, before becoming too dry, be piled 



