66 COFFEE. 



picked over and assorted they are packed for transportation to the 

 shipping ports. There the coffee is " dumped," and the planter's 

 bags returned to him, and when sold it is understood to be "in 

 bulk," the purchaser having to provide his own bags for shipment. 

 The coffee is also prepared by the other and newer method, com- 

 monly designated the "washed" or "West India preparation." 

 The advocates of the old method claim, however, that it retains 

 the caffeone, in which is embodied the flavor of the coffee, in a 

 much greater degree, and that it is therefore superior to the 

 washed coffee. In this, after repeated trials, I am inclined to con- 

 cur, although many professionals claim that the " dried hulled " 

 coffee is inferior to the washed. Mr. de Sturler sells his coffee by 

 sending a circular-note to the principal firms in Batavia, inform- 

 ing them that he has so many thousands of piculs for sale and 

 inviting proposals. These proposals are opened on a certain day, 

 and the entire lot is disposed of to the highest bidder. While 

 this is not exactly the same as the government method of market- 

 ing the crops, it is the same in principle and accomplishes the 

 same object — that of obtaining a free competition. 



The scenery upon the islands of Java and Sumatra is of the 

 most diversified and beautiful character. Lofty mountains, rang- 

 ing in height from four thousand to ten thousand feet and covered 

 with luxuriant foliage, abound in both islands. Deep gorges, 

 rushing streams, fertile valleys, fine plateaus, jungles and forests, 

 lowlands and highlands, hills and volcanoes, lakes and rivers, all 

 contribute to make these islands the most attractive spots in the 

 world. Certainly one of the most delightful pictures lingering 

 in my memory is that of the hill slopes of Preanger, near Buiten- 

 zorg, with their thousands of shapely and luxuriant coffee trees in 

 all stages of bearing, and in the background the high volcanic cone 

 of Salao, towering far above the entire range. Another pleasant 

 picture which lingers in memory is that of a Javan tea plantation 

 in the Buitenzorg district. The residence is situated nearly in 

 the centre of the large estate, upon high ground, surrounded with 

 a mass of tropical foliage. In front is a grove of banyan and 

 other magnificent shade trees ; in the rear, a grove of handsome 

 cocoanut palms, while the garden, both in front and rear, is filled 

 with an endless variety of gaudy flowers, and with nutmeg, clove, 



