268 



SPICES OF THE TROPICS 



which, when dry, are of a light yellowish brown colour. These 

 are made up into bales of about 60 to 65 Ib. for export. Cutting 

 takes place during the rainy seasons, chiefly during May and June 

 and again in November and December ; the shoots selected for 

 cutting are mostly of two years' growth. A return of about 50 to 

 60 Ib. per acre may be expected from the rirst crop, in the third 

 or fourth year from planting, the yield increasing each year until 

 the eighth or tenth year, when 100 to 150 Ib. per acre may be 



CINNAMON 7 PLANTATION. 



obtained. About 6i million pounds (including quills and chips) 

 were exported from Ceylon in 1909, valued at Rs. 2,729,637, 

 while in 1912 the figures dropped to 5,945,600 Ib., but valued at 

 about Rs. 2.835,000. Cinnamon is now largely used in medicine 

 as well as for flavouring purposes. The price per pound realised 

 at present in London varies from about Is. 6d. for fine quills, and 

 2d. to 4d. for chips. The tree may be propagated from seed, 

 cuttings or layers. The method usually adopted is to sow about 

 25 seeds in a clump, in situ or in a nursery, the clumps from the 



