JO COFFEE : ITS CULTIVATION AND PROFIT. 



of weeds which grow in the jungle, you are less 

 troubled by harmful insects which love the shade 

 and shelter of trees and undergrowth, and they 

 think such clearings are more convenient and 

 better managed. But the other side say that by 

 making small plantations and leaving plenty of 

 timber you gain great shelter from high winds a 

 thing of considerable importance to Coffee, espe- 

 cially in its young state you have great stores of 

 leaf mould within easy distance for using as manure, 

 and they argue that, notwithstanding insects and 

 weeds, the Coffee thrives better than in the open. 

 Probably the best size of clearing will vary with 

 the conditions and aspect of the estate. On windy 

 ridges, where the young plants are liable to feel 

 the full force of either monsoon, protection of some 

 sort seems imperative, and none is so convenient 

 and lasting as leaving " belts " or strips of jungle 

 unfelled when the clearings are first made. These 

 wind-shields should not be less than two chains 

 through, or they will not answer their purpose ; 

 nor more, unless under exceptional circumstances, 

 or they will take up too much valuable ground. 

 Unless they are of fair breadth, the trees are apt 

 to die out after a time ; an eye should be kept on 

 them, therefore, and if they show signs of getting 

 thin, young saplings must be planted to take the 

 place of the natural-sown trees. 



Then comes the marking out. This is done 

 with a compass and theodolite. A base line is taken 



