516 MINOR PRODUCTS OF CEYLON 



OTHER KINDS OF COFFEE 



Liberian Coffee. (Coffea liber ica). A robust-growing species, 

 native of West Tropical Africa, and introduced into Ceylon about 

 1870. The tree is distinguished by its considerable height (growing 

 to about 25 ft. high if left to itself), its large, thick leaves, and 

 comparatively large berries. It does not require permanent shade, 

 bears fruit almost throughout the year, and the berries do not drop 

 when ripe, as do those of the Arabian Coffee. Neither do the berries 

 become soft when ripe, like those of the latter, but remain hard 

 and fibrous ; the permanent skin is also comparatively tough, so that 

 the labour entailed in cleaning is increased. The aroma of the 

 bean is not generally highly appreciated, which results in a lower 

 market price for the product. The vigorous constitution of the 

 Liberian coffee-tree renders it more or less resistant to the effects 

 of the leaf-disease. Suited to low elevations only, i.e., up to 2,000 ft. 

 The trees may be planted about 8 ft. by 8 ft. apart, and should be 

 topped at a height of about 6 or 7 ft. 



Congo Coffee. (Coffea robust a). A species of coffee inde- 

 genous to the Congo, recently brought into cultivation, and not 

 unlike the Liberian coffee, having large handsome wavy leaves. It 

 is said to give very satisfactory returns in the Straits as well as in 

 Sumatra and Java for at least a few years, being especially in favour as 

 an intercrop with young rubber. It thrives best from 1 ,000 to 3,000 ft. 

 elevation, yields a crop of about 1 cwt. per acre in 2 years from 

 planting, 4 to 5 cwt. in the 3rd year, and 14 to 18 cwt. in the 4th year. 

 I am informed that even a yield of 24 cwt. per acre has been 

 obtained in the 6th year. The bean fetches at present from 54s. to 

 64s. per cwt. This species has been introduced at Peradeniya 

 Gardens in 1900, and thrives well here. 



Sierra Leone Upland Coffee. (Coffea stenophylla). A slender- 

 stemmed West African species, bearing a profusion of small oval 

 berries, which are black when ripe. This is said to be superior in 

 flavour to all other coffees. The plant has been introduced in 

 1894 at Peradeniya, where it flourishes and bears fruit in abundance 

 twice a year. 



Hybrico Coffee. A Brazilian variety whose fruits contain four 

 or six instead of two seeds ; its quality is well spoken of, but it 

 does not appear to be known in the East. 



Maragogipe Coffee. Another kind from Brazil, with large 

 leaves, similar to those of the Liberian Coffee. This has been 



