March 1, 1864.] THE TECHNOLOGIST. 



ON MALABAR CARDAMOMS. 371 



of the cardamoms exported from Madras from 1852 to 1856, chiefly to 

 Bengal, Mauritius, Pegu, and Britain, was 109,473Z., besides the quantity- 

 consumed in the producing country. The export from North Canara is 

 also considerable, mostly to Bombay. 



The plant is widely cultivated in North Canara, wherever there is a 

 rich, reddish, damp soil, which seems to be preferred by the shrub to 

 any other. It is very hardy, and thrives even if much neglected, but a 

 little care bestowed on its cultivation is amply repaid by the increased 

 yield. In North Canara the plant is generally grown in betel-nut (Areca) 

 plantations in the spaces between the palms. It is commonly raised from 

 seeds, and then produces in the third year, each tree yielding about three- 

 quarters of a pound of cardamoms per annum, the average price of which 

 is about 40 rupees per maund of 28lb., although often much higher. 

 The seeds are here gathered in September. Twelve or fifteen hundred 

 cardamom shrubs may be grown on one acre of ground. The cultivation 

 of the plant is reckoned among the natives of the district one of the 

 most profitable undertakings known, and there is no doubt that it would 

 be very much more largely engaged in by them, were it not for their 

 general want of capital, and their invincible dislike to parting with 

 their land. 



The following details show the cost of culture and returns : — 



Probable Cost of Farming and bringing into Bearing a Cardamon Plan- 

 tation of Fifty Acres in North Canara. 



To rent of 50 acres of land at 5 rupees per acre per R 



annum for 3 years 750 



Clearing and levelling 50 acres of land . . . 2,000 

 Three maunds of seeds for sowing, at 40 rupees per 



maund 120 



Hire of 10 coolies for 3 years, at 5 rupees per mensem 1,800 

 Pay of a superintendent for 3 years, at 30 rupees per 



mensem 1,080 



Tools and sundries 200 



Total cost for three years . . . R5,950 



Probable Annual Receipts from a Cardamon Plantation of Fifty Acres 

 in North Canara from the third year. 

 By produce of 60,000 trees, each tree yielding | lb. R 



of cardamoms, at 40 rupees per maund of 28 lb. . 64,285 

 Deduct annual outlay : — 

 To rent of 50 acres, at 5 rupees per acre . 250 



Hire of 10 coolies, at 5 rupees each per 



mensem 600 



Hire of extra hands at the harvest and 



other necessary times . . . . 150 

 Pay of superintendent, at 30 rupees per 



mensem 360 



Cost of agency — say .... 1,000 

 Sundries 100 



Total annual outlay . . . 2,460 



Total annual profit . . . R61,825 



