172 
pepper. This is to be found in a small degree in every shamba, 
but the principal source from which the annual ex ports are 
derived i is the eastern side of Zanzibar, and the eee eer here 
“Judging from observations made during my brief visit to 
this portion of the island, east of Dunga, the chillie cultivation 
k of a 
struck me as being o very scattered nature, generally small 
isolated patches from half to one or two iege in extent, and 
combined with tobacco, toma u D regret my 
to, pumpkins, &c. 
at to quote the annual total exports, but I believe they are 
arge, and an undoubted source of revenue. As the chillie is, as 
To = only product of any value grown in this less favoured 
portion of the island, I consider that this cultivation could be 
ext idc and that a little foste ering care might be productive of 
much advant tage. It isa cultivation easily carried on, and calling 
for no special trouble or skill, and the returns are certain and 
profitable. At present the people are so blind to their own 
interests as to purposely depreciate the value of this product. 
I qudoriend pas through fear of possible shortage by theft 
way wn, owners actually damp the chillies before 
P ieu dd ind it is often necessary, on their reaching the 
overnment Customs godowns, to dry them as quickly as is 
possible as the only chance of saving them. 
* Another variety of pep pper ( ? Capsicum annuum) bearing à 
larger red and yellow pod is also cultivated, but the produce 
from this is all consumed locally. 
The latest account of Zanzibar chillies is contained in the Report 
of Mr. Consul Cave on the Trade and Commerce of — for 
the year 1897 (Foreign Office, 1898, No. 2129, Annual Ser eg) :— 
“ The production of chillies has risen n from 16,336 fei lar in 1896 
to 17,698 frasilas i in ds an increase of 47,6 701lbs. The average 
price was 2 dol. 57 c. per frasila, as against 2 E dol. 57 e. per frasila 
during the previous year." A better price than this could 
doubtless be obtained for Zanzibar produce if a little more care 
and attention were devoted to its cultivation and harvesting, but 
up to the present time it ve been allowed to grow almost wild on 
the coral outcrop which covers the eastern portion of the island, 
and the slight pena: discomfort: bres attends the handling o 
pods prevents the native from ing any care in its picking 
and subsequent pearson ior peace. Attempts have lately 
been made to obtain a better sample on ground which has been 
specially cleared. and prepared for. the purpose, but the results are 
not yet to hand,” 
JAPANESE CHILLIES. 
In a Note on Recent Additions to the Museum of the Pharma- 
ceutical Society (Pharm. Journ., Dec. 11, 1897), Mr. E. M. Holmes, 
F.L.S., furnished the following interesting particulars at an 
aiid meeting of the Society, respecting Japanese and other 
“During the last -three or four years there has beer in 
commerce a very bright red variety of Capsicum minimum, 
_* A frasila = 35 Ibs. avoir. 
