138 COFFEE I ITS CULTIVATION AND PROFIT. 



capacities of intelligent carpenter coolies, of whom 

 there are generally some at hand ready to turn to 

 this work for wages a trifle higher than those of the 

 ordinary labourer. Four posts at the corners of a 

 space, say, 14 feet by 20 feet are sunk firmly into 

 the ground and connected along the tops by long, 

 light poles. Strong pillars at either end serve to 

 take the sapling which forms the ridge of the roof. 

 Stakes are driven in all round the sides and lashed 

 along the roof framework until the half-finished hut 

 bears a close resemblance to a gigantic birdcage. 

 " Palghaut mats," made of closely woven split rattan 

 cane, are then laced along the outside and inside 

 as walls, and a thick thatch of palm leaves or jungle 

 grass makes a good roof. 



Every planter remembers his first hut in the 

 jungle, even cherishing an affection for it long after 

 wind and rain have reduced it to its original ele- 

 ments. In my own primitive hut the roof, extra 

 thick, with the eaves brought to within four feet of 

 the ground to protect the sides, was made of the 

 long sweet-scented lemon-grass, and there were 

 three little glass windows, a door with a rough 

 porch, and a wall of matting across the interior to 

 divide the sleeping compartment from the day- room. 

 Altogether it was a strange little place, pretty to 

 look at while the materials were fresh and clean, 

 but not good for hard use the daylight streaming 

 through the two thicknesses of matting in many 

 places, and the wind coming in at every corner ; 



