fOUND ON PRINCE OP WALES S ISLAND. 38/ 



for this difference, is, that the roots of the Erythrina 

 do not spread so much, or penetrate so deep, as those 

 of the Morinda ; whence they interfere less with the 

 pepper, and do not draw so much nourishment from 

 the earth. 



The Morinda was formerly made to grow with one 

 stem., but this was not found to afford sufficient spread 

 for the vines. Tlierefore, when that tree is used, the 

 practice now is to break off the principal stem, at the 

 height of about two feet from the ground. This obliges 

 the trees to put out lateral branches at that height. 

 When these have attained the length of about a foot 

 or fifteen inches, they are cut off. From their ends 

 arise erect shoots, each of which forms a stem, so that 

 the vine has four or five stems to climb on, instead of 

 one. 



The vines, at three years of age, begin to produce, 

 and they are reckoned to be in full bearing at five or six. 

 They, continue nearly in the same state for eight years, 

 more, or till they are fourteen years old. From that 

 period they are reckoned on the decline ; but the, 

 planters on Prince of Wales's Island cannot yet judge 

 from experience, at what rate, or in how long a time 

 they decay. Some Chinese, who have cultivated the 

 plant on the Malay coast, say the vines have not ar- 

 rived at their point of greatest produce till they are 

 fourteen years old ; and that from this, gradually de- 

 clining, they continue bearing till near thirty. 



The first year of bearing, or at three years old, the 

 vines do not yield more than half a catti each. But 

 plants kept in good order, when in their prime, 

 will produce three catlis ^^ A plantation of 3000 



JO A catt\\% Ji lb. 



2 C 2 



