ESTIMATES 57 



the weeding cost tapers down to a little over 

 6d. per acre. 



Roads and Drains. If this is light re-shaping 

 work, it should be done by the weeders and be 

 included in their price per acre. A contract 

 should always set this out, otherwise the planter 

 will find that extra pay will be required for 

 anything outside the actual weeding. 



Payments to Contractors. It is always as 

 well to aim at keeping in hand a margin of com- 

 pleted work in favour of the estate. Have 

 regular pay-days and pay the contractor 80 per 

 cent, of completed and measured work. The 

 coolies get to know regular pay-days and in 

 turn when to expect their money from the 

 contractor. 



It is an asset to an estate to get a good name 

 with labour for just and prompt payments. 

 Frequent and ready loans, either to contractors 

 or coolies, are not appreciated as one would 

 think, but are looked upon as a sign of weakness 

 and inexperience. 



PROFIT FROM COIR AND BY-PRODUCTS 



With 1500 acres or over in full bearing, the 

 crops will be sufficient to feed an oil mill, and in 

 connection therewith a coir factory might be 

 erected for the manufacture of fibre into rope. 



