Cultivation in Ceylon 35 



line runs. Some people express the fear that 

 by putting down the plants so near the surface 

 the stability of the tree will be affected. There 

 is no fear of that, for the bole of the tree, 

 which is its sheet anchor, and takes the place 

 of the tap root of other trees, will establish 

 itself in the original hole, and even deeper, 

 according to the texture of the soil. 



" The next operation calling for attention is 

 weeding. This should be undertaken soon 

 after planting. If the estate be weeded from 

 the start, weeding will not cost much, and a 

 beautiful sward will cover the ground. Most 

 estates are planted on the goiya system, that 

 is, the land is given to villagers to fell, burn, 

 clear, and plant, and they are allowed a share 

 of the subsidiary crops grown on the land, 

 besides being paid at so much per tree and 

 plant (previously agreed upon) at the end of 

 a specified number of years. This system has 

 its advantages and disadvantages. The ad- 

 vantages are obvious. One disadvantage is 

 that the villagers do not supply vacancies 



11 i r i T-1 



till the time arrives tor giving over. 1 1 hen 

 the landowner has an estate with a large pro- 

 portion of plants just put out. Some ex- 

 perienced planters think that minor cultivation 

 impoverishes the soil and should not be 



1 Surely this difficulty can be overcome in the agree- 

 ment, which is binding on both parties ; a magistrate's 

 court, when necessary, being used to settle alleged 

 breaches of contract on either side. 



