Clearing and Preparing the Land 163 



customs and methods of payment, so long as 

 they take care not to be misguided by the 

 rogues and never-works who abound in the 

 Tropics as they do over here. 



In cases where the clearing must be done 

 by outside labour, which has to be brought 

 in numbers to the spot, it is necessary from 

 the very beginning to arrange for their proper 

 housing and feeding. And these Coolie lines, 

 as they are called, must be so located 

 that they do not interfere with the planting 

 area. A supply of good wholesome water is 

 a prime necessity, and the buildings must be 

 constructed with every regard to modern sani- 

 tary ideas, and afford perfect protection against 

 the weather. The planter's interest also demands 

 an efficient and well-stocked medical store, with 

 a full line of drugs and appliances on the spot, 

 ready to deal instantly with any emergency or 

 outbreaks of sickness, so common and swift in 

 the Tropics, and to attend to the manifold 

 injuries which are bound to happen where 

 sharp instruments are used and heavy timber 

 handled. 



Timely provision and preparedness for 

 sudden emergencies and accidents is a main- 

 stay not to be despised. Often there is not 

 time to send for a doctor, perhaps a .day's 

 journey or more, should cholera or plague or 

 small-pox break out in the lines, or if half a 

 dozen men should be suddenly brought in 

 seriously injured by a fallen tree. All these 



