GENERAL EEMAEKS. 115 



full oval outline of the extremity of the leaf. The variations in 

 the outline of the leaves, in the number of petals, in the size and 

 shape of the berry, and in the area of the flower-scar, are points 

 which may well be noticed ; for if they are associated with a more 

 robust habit, with a greater immunity from leaf disease, and also 

 with a larger production of the crop, it is evident that such vari- 

 eties are deserving of >great attention, and, as special varieties, 

 would well repay careful and systematic culture. Mr. Ferdinan- 

 dus, who has successfully raised several thousands of plants of 

 this coffee, prefers trees with small concave leaves, globose berries, 

 and large flower-scars ; these are certainly the finest trees at Per- 

 adeniya, and they bear the best crops. Attention having been 

 drawn to these variations in Liberian coffee it is quite possible 

 that others may be noticed. As the cultivation extends we shall, 

 no doubt, be able to gather more accurate information respecting 

 them, and learn whether any special variety is adapted for special 

 areas of cultivation, or for higher and lower elevations. 



"A group of plants received from Mr. Bull in 1876 were soon 

 afterward planted out in fresh jungle soil. Slightly shaded at first, 

 they quickly established themselves, were topped at six feet, and 

 now (March, 1878) they have shown their first blossom, which has 

 abundantly set. One or two trees placed in rather thick shade 

 have shown that under such conditions they become drawn up 

 and attenuated, and their first primaries are three and a half feet 

 ,from the ground. It is quite certain that anything beyond a very 

 partial shade is not suitable for this coffee. As soon as the young 

 , trees have well established themselves in rich, deep soil they can 

 bear, provided the air is moist, full exposure to the sun. 



" In the third year the trees may be expected to produce a good 

 crop, with a succession of blossoms every two or three months, ac- 

 cording as the weather is favorable. The trees begin to throw out 

 their secondaries in the third year, but apparently not so rapidly 

 and regularly as the common coffee. It will be noticed that in 

 branching, the Liberian coffee has an erect tree-like habit, and its 

 primaries do not possess that horizontal and drooping habit which 

 is so characteristic of C. Arabica. When rather large trees of 

 Liberian coffee are attacked by leaf disease, the leaves show per- 

 forations scattered here and there over their surface ; the fungus 



