THE TECHNOLOGIST. [July 1, 1865. 



554 PEPPER. 



varies in price, according to size and whiteness, much of the white 

 pepper, however, as seen in trade, is nothing more than the black 

 Penang sort, hleached in England. Besides these varieties, there is a 

 kind of hleached black pepper, the bleaching of which is effected by- 

 chlorine. 



Great as is the consumption of pepper, the high rate of duty- 

 imposed upon it tends to cripple the full development of a trade which 

 might become of vast proportions. An ample illustration of this fact 

 is found in the increased consumption of pepper in the years following 

 a reduction of the duty. In the early part of the present century the 

 impost levied was as much as a Is. to 2s., and even 2s. 6d., per pound, 

 while the cost price in Singapore ranged no higher than from 6d. to 8d. 

 In proportion as the duty was lowered, so the price of pepper fell, and 

 the consumption became likewise proportionately greater. The prime 

 cost of Singapore, pepper at the present time does not exceed Id. or l^d. 

 per pound, and that from. Malabar, Sumatra, and Penang, about 4d., 

 while white pepper fetches from 9d. to Is., and perhaps Is. 6d. In 

 Singapore, where immense pepper plantations exist, the cultivation is 

 chiefly carried on by Chinese settlers, who, owing to the heavy impost 

 in this country, to which the bulk of their produce is shipped, find it a 

 very poor, and scarcely profitable speculation, requiring, as the plants 

 do, so much care and attention. From the foregoing facts it is easy to 

 see that, were the present duty of 6d. per pound reduced, we might 

 expect a corresponding increase in our importations, which would pro- 

 bably add to, rather than diminish the public revenue, for we might 

 safely depend upon the use of pepper becoming more extended, so 

 generally appreciated as it is. 



The plant which furnishes melaguetta pepper, or grains of Paradise, 

 now pretty well known to botanists, seems remarkable for its variable 

 size, especially as shown in its fruit. According to Dr. W. F. Daniell, 

 the variety grown at Accra is the largest. The smaller, which grows on 

 higher ground, is called in Fernando Po, Toholo H'Porndh, or M'Pomah 

 pepper. 



Specimens of the flowers of each variety are desirable to ascertain 

 if they belong to one and the same species. 



Of bastard or false melaguetta peppers there are several beautiful 

 species quite distinct and different from each other, and veiy imper- 

 fectly known to botanists. The fruit of some of them is used by the 

 blacks for the sake of its acid pulp, which is agreeable to the taste. 

 They are tall, flag-like plants, with handsome flowers and fruits pro- 

 duced near the roots. 



Melaguetta pepper, true or false, belongs to the botanical genus, 

 Amomum. 



