VIII CINNAMON 191 



restrictions on the trade were done away with, but the East 



India Company kept up the monopoly until the year 1832 



when the cinnamon trade became free to all. The tree, when Description 



left to itself, grows to a height of thirty feet with a straight 



stem ; and, in general appearance, it is not unlike an orange 



tree. But, in cultivation, the tree is cut down to the ground Coppicing. 



at about the sixth year, when straight shoots spring up to 



be again cut down two years afterwards, so that the plant 



becomes really a coppiced bush, and in process of time the 



stools attain to a great size. The whole of the tree is useful The uses of 



for some purpose. A camphor may be obtained from the roots 



by distillation, cinnamon is made from the bark, a fragrant 



wax is got from the ripe fruits by boiling them in water, 



and a volatile oil is distilled from the refuse bark, leaves, 



fruit, young shoots and root bark. 



Soil and Climate. — The cinnamon tree is one of the The plant a 

 hardiest of the spices and it will grow on almost every soil ^^"^ ^ °"^' 

 and in almost any situation in the tropics, but the quality of 

 the bark is very inferior unless the soil and surroundings are 

 favourable to the plant. In Ceylon, the tree is often planted 

 on worn out coffee estates, and in dry sandy soils unsuitable 

 to most other cultivations. But a sandy loam mixed with The best 

 humus is the best soil, and sheltered situations up to 1,500 ^°' " 

 feet above the sea level are best adapted for the cultivation. 



Propagation. — Plants may be raised by cuttings, by layer- 

 ing, and from ripe and fresh seed. The usual way, however, 

 of establishing a "cinnamon garden," as the plantation is 

 generally called, is to plant the seed out in the fields at dis- Planting at 

 tances of six or seven feet apart. The land being lined at "^ ^ 

 these distances, the ground is well broken up at the stakes, 

 wood-ashes are mixed with the soil, and four or five of the 

 berries are sown. To protect the seedlings from the sun Shade. 

 branches of trees are placed over the earth where the seeds 

 are sown, and left to rot on the ground. But if dry 

 weather come on after germination takes place, many of the 



