CARDAMOMS 341 



ously, keeping the ridges moist, not wet, during the 

 drier season, but during the monsoon steps must be 

 taken to run the drainage and irrigation water away 

 from the fields. The plants are kept in this field for 

 from fifteen to eighteen months, by which time they are 

 4 ft. high, and ready for planting in a permanent 

 position. 



The planting usually takes place in two seasons in 

 Kanara, viz. from March to June, and from September 

 to October, but in places where there is no dry spell of 

 weather they can be planted at almost any time. 



Where the plants are cultivated between betel-nut 

 palms as in Kanara, they are usually planted between 

 each pair of palms, at an equal distance from each, so as 

 to alternate with them. The number of plants to the 

 acre varies according to the closeness of the shade trees, 

 whether betel -nuts or orchard trees. In Bombay, 

 according to Watt's Dictionary, the number of seedlings 

 required for an acre differs much in different parts. 

 " In Sirsi, about 1,000 seedlings go to an acre, while in 

 Yellapur the number required is 650." Mollison says 

 " in a fully stocked betel-nut garden there can be 300 

 to 400 cardamom plants per acre." Owen, in his 

 estimates for planting in Ceylon, puts down 37,500 good 

 double bulbs as requisite for 25 acres, i.e. 1,500 an 

 acre, but this is allowing 50 per cent for supplies. He 

 remarks on this that 50 per cent supplies may seem 

 large, but it is very likely to be required where the bulbs 

 have to be carried far. This in these circumstances 

 works out 750 an acre, but in Ceylon the plants are to 

 be grown under shade trees, and not interplanted with 

 betel -nut palms in a close grove where much of the 

 area is taken up by the palms. Watt gives their dis- 

 tance apart as from 6 to 12 ft. according to the soil. 



In planting, the holes or pits for the reception of the 

 plants should be 18 to 24 in. across each way and 12 to 

 18 in. deep. The soil mixed with leaf mould and finely 

 broken up is returned to the hole, the seedlings planted, 

 and the soil filled in round it almost to the top of the 



