FOUND ON PRINCE OP WALES S ISLAND. 385 



who corrected this mistake^ ; and his statement is con- 

 firmed by Rheede 7, LouREiRO 8, and Marsden ^, 



This plant has been so fully described, that I have 

 nothing to add on that head. But as it is the most im- 

 portant article of produce on Pri?ice of Wales's Isla7id, 

 the manner of cultivation pursued there merits a parti- 

 cular detail. 



It is propagated by cuttings, or suckers. They are 

 generally planted at the distance of about 7 J feet ; that 

 is 100 plants in an U'rlong, which is a measure of 80 

 yards square, nearly equal to ) 1-3 Acre. But some 

 experienced cultivators think that the distance should 

 be greater ; perhaps nine feet ; as the roots would be 

 better nourished, and the produce more abundant. 



When a plantation is to be commenced, the large 

 timber is cut down by Malays, at the rate of five Dol- 

 lars per U'rlong. The remaining labour is performed 

 by Chinese, who dig out the roots, burn them and the 

 tt-unks, pulverise and level the soil, plant the pepper 

 vines and the trees which are to support them. It is 

 usual to contract with them for making the plantation 

 in this manner, and taking care of it for three years, at 

 the end of which time it is in bearing, at the rate of 

 225 Dollars for iOO plants. The sum is liquidated by 

 instalments, as the contractor requires it to pay his 

 workmen. Something more than one-third is paid 



< Mantissa Aromatica. 



7 H. M. V.7. p. 23. 



8 Fl. Coch. 30. 



9 Hist. Sam. 106, 117. 



Vol. IX, 2c 



