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CHAPTER XIX. 



COST AND PROFIT. 



WERE we to say at once that it is rash to think 

 of embarking in the Coffee-planting enterprise 

 without at least ^5,000 at command, there is no 

 doubt but that we should dispel a good many 

 pleasant fancies, and cause, perhaps, a consider- 

 able fall in the .hopes of the inexperienced. Yet 

 we doubt if a smaller figure than that mentioned 

 above can be taken as safely covering cost of 

 land, initial expenses, and the multitude of con- 

 tingencies arising during the long period of waiting 

 before any crop is realised. 



Under separate chapters we have suggested 

 these various costs arising from different works ; it 

 may be as well to bring these together, in yearly 

 headings, and thus see how much we shall be 

 out of pocket before we receive from our lowland 

 brokers that delightful and ever-memorable "first 

 cheque " for a maiden crop. 



To begin with, however, we must say that the 

 price of land varies so much and so recklessly, 

 according to fancy or fashion, not only in Ceylon, 

 but in other countries where speculation should be 

 less rife, that it is best not to include it in the 



