318 On the Government and History of Nanlny, fyc. [June, 



owner has justly valued it. This has been done in a few cases, I 

 believe, and has been invariably refused. It is not therefore improba- 

 ble, all circumstances taken into consideration, that not more than 7 or 

 8 per cent, at the most ever finds its way into the Company's godowns. 

 The tenth in kind on paddy is sold whenever a good price can be 

 procured for it on the spot, and the proceeds lodged in the treasury. 

 The tenth on the other articles of land produce is levied at tolls 

 placed at the entrances into Naning from Malacca, and there imme- 

 diately sold. 



Much inconvenience and loss is experienced by Government, through 

 this uncertain mode of collecting the revenue. The tax itself too, as 

 it rises with the produce, operates practically as a check to progressive 

 increase in the cultivation. 



A pecuniary compensation, or commutation, of the duty on the 

 sawahs, or wet lands, fixed for a definite period, not less than five 

 years, would be far more advantageous and convenient to both parties. 

 It should be very moderate for the first period, during which the 

 amount of the crops for each successive season should be carefully 

 ascertained, as well as the increased quantity of land that would na- 

 turally be brought under cultivation. To such an arrangement the 

 Naning cultivators are by no means averse, but they object to it with 

 regard to the ladang, or dry land crops. 



The desultory mode of cultivation known under the term ladang, 

 of which Mr. Marsden has given an excellent description in his 

 History of Sumatra, chap, iv., forms one of the principal obstacles 

 to the introduction of the new land regulations into a Malayan coun- 

 try. Added to this, is the notorious dislike the Malays entertain to 

 innovation and change, and their innate love of liberty and freedom 

 from all shackles. They have a strong aversion to be bound down 

 to the performance of any thing, even in matters which would afford 

 them much amusement and pleasure, were they to act from free will 

 and choice. 



I am not aware of the ladang mode of cultivation offering any other 

 advantages to the Malays, further than the charms of a wandering 

 and shifting state of life. 



The ladang rice, however, is affirmed by some to be sweeter and 

 whiter, and to keep better than the produce of the sawah. 



Although it is certain, that the chief present object is to improve 

 and extend the agriculture of Naning, still its mineral resources 

 should not be neglected. 



At Bukit Bertam, gold was formerly procured, and considerable 

 quantities of tin are known to exist throughout the district, particu- 



