358 Report on the Island of Chedooba. [No. 113* 



Still there exists throughout every part of the Island, waste lands whose 

 soil would be found applicable to the cultivation of tobacco to a very 

 large extent, even if subject to such limitation, and I am strongly im 

 pressed with the opinion that such cultivation would prove one of, if not 

 the most valuable to which the unoccupied lands (not being rise grounds) 

 could be applied. The present extent in which this plant is grown 

 over all parts of the Island, I incline to look on in the light of a experi- 

 ment only, but one truly valuable, at once for its extent, and its success, 

 and therefore affording data under prudent precaution of similarity of 

 soil, &c., on which to found expectation of great profit to be derived 

 from its extension, in which case the present experience of the inhabi- 

 tants in its culture, even when necessarily modified with view to im- 

 provement, would be found a valuable co-operation. It may be that my 

 own estimate of the flavour of the tobacco I have spoken of above, has 

 been erroneous, but even if so, the general mildness of all Chedooba 

 tobacco, when improved by greater attention to its culture and prepa- 

 ration, would give it an extensive preference over the strong Manilla; 

 whereas should it be found practicable to grow extensively a leaf of the 

 flavour and quantity which I think to have found in the above specimens, 

 Chedooba would become a formidable rival to the Spanish settlement. 



The employment to be given by the manufacture of the leaf, if exten- 

 sively grown and saleable, would add another source of benefit to be de- 

 rived from such a step. 



Cotton — Is grown in several parts of Chedooba ; generally spots in 

 the jungle are selected and cleared for its cultivation, which is however 

 very limited, not affording employment by its manufacture for the women 

 throughout the year. The surplus required to keep the looms (of which 

 almost every family possesses at least one) at work, being imported from 

 the main land. 



Excepting a few plants in the gardens of the villages, I found no 

 cotton in growth, though land were being cleared for it in several parts, 

 and some of them extensive. Those few plants appeared to thrive well, 

 but from the shortness of the staple of that which I found in use, whe- 

 ther of the Island produce, or the Mainland, I conclude that what is 

 at present grown is as inferior in quality as limited in amount. It was 

 however very clean and white, the articles manufactured from it, a few 

 coarse cloths for the person. The soils on which the best Cottons of 

 India are grown, I have understood to consists generally of a rich deep 

 mould ; if such be the case, and necessarily so, for the perfection of this 

 plant, I fear that Chedooba holds out no prospect of benefit from any 



