360 Report on the Island of Chedooba. [No. 113. 



I could not learn that the Hemp was a more common production than 

 the other ; in fact it is grown in small quantity only on the Island, to 

 whose inhabitants it supplies material for the few nets they posses?. 

 I had no means of judging of its quality, other than from the healthy 

 appearance of the plant, which at least seemed suited to its soil, and 

 therefore to afford prospect that this produce might with success be 

 more extensively cultivated in portions of that district of the waste 

 lands which lie between the available rice plains and the steeper hills. 

 In conclusion of this notice of its agricultural produce, and in contem- 

 plation of plans for the future improvement of the Island in this regard, 

 the general impression resulting from examinations of its soils, and 

 consideration of the character of its inhabitants, was that such object 

 would be effected in the best and readiest manner by increased care 

 and attention given to extension and improvement of crops already 

 grown on the Island, rather than by attempts to introduce on it exten- 

 sively any new produce. 



A good supply of cattle exists on the Island. The buffalo gives his 

 strength for the more arduous agricultural labours. The lighter cattle 

 draft the produce in hackeries with which the Eastern villages are well 

 supplied. The breed is small, but strong, and supplies very sweet meat. 

 Labour in connection with agriculture is however the only demand 

 made on them by their masters. 



Fruits are not very numerous on the Island, unless the multifarious 

 produce of the jungle, familiar alone to a Mug appetite, is to be honored 

 with the name. In the struggles of past times between the Mug and the 

 Burmah, Cheedooba had its share, and from one of the measures adopted 

 during those times in connection with this head, viz., the destruction of 

 all its cocoa-nut trees, that they might afford no sustenance to an 

 invader, it still suffers. Of this valuable fruit therefore there are com- 

 paratively few, mostly young trees, but they thrive luxuriantly, and 

 a few years more if attention be paid to their increase, would see the 

 Island supplied with them in quantity sufficient for more valuable pur- 

 poses, than that for which alone it is now esteemed— the means of making 

 complimentary presents. 



The plaintain flourishes well ; but is not much cultivated, and is 

 generally an inferior sort, containing a large hard seed. 



The pappa is common, and large in all the village gardens. 



The tamarind flourishes in great luxuriance and grows to a large size. 

 This tree almost universally supplies shelter and shade to the villages. 



