TRADERS AT SARAWAK. 161 



supplies of rice and fruits to the industrious Dyaks of 

 the interior, and to the Chinese gardens in the town 

 for the vegetables they require. Some of the chiefs 

 and principal persons who have slaves about them 

 from agricultural countries, generally employ them in 

 making and taking care of farms and gardens at a 

 distance from the town, to which they regularly bring 

 the produce to their masters. Many of the traders 

 have latterly expressed a desire to become planters, 

 and it is probable that young and profitable planta- 

 tions of the cocoa-nut, betel-nut, and fruit trees, will 

 soon become common ; at present they import the 

 whole of the quantities now so largely consumed of 

 these two former useful articles, and it is to be feared 

 that the ease with which large profits are gained in 

 trade, and in working the gold mines, will for a long 

 time prevent any considerable progress in agriculture, 

 and until competition shall have reduced the one to 

 its proper standard, and taxes restrict the working 

 of the other, we cannot expect to see any great 

 improvement in the cultivation of the land, or in the 

 mechanical arts, though perhaps the instructions of 

 missionaries may assist in diffusing a desire to becbme 

 greater proficients in these branches of industry 

 amongst them. 



In war, as far as the English have had opportunities 

 of observing their behaviour, the people of Sarawak 

 have not been found deficient in courage, though they 

 seldom show that carelessness of life which makes other 

 tribes altogether regardless of danger; the feats 



M 



