COFFEE PLANTERS’ MANUAL. 13 
shorter distances, such as 44x43, 4x4, and even 
3x3 have been tried: but the result does not 
seem to have encouraged many repetitions of the 
experiment. Either of the three distances above- 
quoted will be found that most suitable to the cir- 
cumstances and conditions of most lands. Well, 
having attached pieces of rag to the rope at the dis- 
tances you have resolved on planting by, fix the 
rope to two poles one at each end, of say 6 feet 
high. Employ two stout coolies to carry the rope, 
having first pulled it straight: one cooly marches up 
the hill, the other remains at the bettom; each with 
pole in hand now s‘retches the line which is fas- 
tened up the pole about half-way, or sufficiently 
high above the ground not to be impeded by the 
logs or stones strewed on the surface. Hach of these 
two coolies is also provided with a wand, or stick, 
of a length suited to the breadth, the lines or rows 
of coffee are intended to be apart from each other— 
say 5 or 6 ft. The line being thus stretched, a third 
cooly now carrying a bundle of pegs or pickets 
moves up the row and drops one perpendicularly at 
each rag on the line. Falling vertically, it reaches 
the ground at the exact spot where it is intended 
to be placed. A fourth cooly follows with a mallet 
and drives in the pegs exactly where their points have 
touched the ground, unless where a rock or log in- 
tervenes, when he shifts that individual peg to suit 
the occasion. The two men holding the rope then 
measure off the distance to the next row with their 
wands, and move the line on, the other two repeat- 
ing the process already described, and so on, till the 
field be pegged. The lines of coffee should be made 
to run all one way; up-hill is generally preferred, it 
being most easily workable, and the labourers being 
thus always visible to the superintendent, or overseer, 
in their rows. Besides, it looks neater and prettier 
to have the rows all leading in one direction, than 
to have some running up, and some obliquely. or 
across the face of the hill. Planters who wish to be 
particularly neat in this operation line across the hili 
also, at right angles with the previous up and down 
rows, so that the whole field appears to have been 
done in squares, the lines looking perfect each way, %. ¢., 
above and across: while some are not satisfied nnless 
they have their rows so mathematically accurate, that 
they run ten or more different ways: one gentleman 
I know, who wished to make a show field border- 
ing a river and near a high road, made his rows to 
run 16 different ways. This is very pretty no doubt, 
and the planter who does so will take rank as a very 
neat and precise workman. But I had rather not be 
B 
