44'2 Report on the Island of Chedooba. [No. 114, 



stacle to clearing for cultivation ; there are few parts where a Mug with 

 a good duh would not fell in one day the trees over half an acre ; much 

 of it consists of open clamps of bamboo, and throughout the lower part, 

 open plains of grass of more or less extent are very frequent 5 in no part 

 which was seen would a person on foot find any obstruction in walking 

 which way he would, and this is stated from experiment, having been over 

 many parts where no native ever before penetrated, not from inability 

 but from superstitious fear. 



No. 5 and 6 represent generally the soil of the Krae-roue circle, the 

 Northern one of the Island of which parts are more sandy than others, 

 but the whole very productive. I found the betel in this circle first, 

 and in its jungle, of which it has a due share, the caoutchouc plant of 

 South America ; a good deal of Rice for export is here grown. 



No. 7 is a soil taken from the neighbourhood of two Petroleum wells, 

 which lie close to one another in this circle, having no doubt one common 

 source of supply. This article, as may be seen, is surely a produce of the 

 soil, which by simplest means might greatly be increased ; at present these 

 two wells yield about half of the 300 pots, which constitutes the yearly 

 produce of the four petroleum wells of Chedooba. 



No. 8 is a soil taken from the next adjoining circle, eastward to that of 

 'Inrooma. ' Its principal village (Chedooba) boasting to be the capital 

 of the Island. The specimen, and No. 5 may be taken to represent the 

 interior and more clayey soils of all the Eastern circles, including those 

 of Inrooma, Meugbreng, Kyonk-tair, and the eastern part of Tang-rua. 

 While No. 9 taken from a spot in the same circle, is, I apprehend of more 

 limited extent. 



Near the centre of the Island, and not far from the large Volcanoes of 

 Meng-breng we came on a small level valley with a stream running 

 through it, on either hand overlooked by wooded hills. This valley 

 whence No. 9 is taken, was the best cultivated spot 1 had yet found, being 

 one continued tobacco garden and were the best of that plant on the Island 

 is produced. While speaking of this article, I venture to express by belief 

 that parts of Chedooba would produce with proper care and attention, as 

 good tobacco as perhaps any in the world 5 and here I speak also from 

 experience. My own stock of Cigars having been expended, 1 procured 

 some to be made for me on the Island, out of native tobacco, many of 

 which to my gratification and surprize 1 found of as high and as delicate 

 a flavour as any which I had ever tasted direct from the Havanna. But 

 the leaves of which these were formed, appeared to be accidentally larger 

 and more ripe than they are generally gathered. Though as it is at 

 present planted and prepared. Chedooba tobacco is highly prized. 





