COFFEE IN HIGH DISTRICTS. 105 
heavier, but set better. Where the soil is exhausted 
and poor, the roots draw little else but moisture from 
the soil, just to keep themselves alive: blossoms show 
again, and again, but do not set; why? because the 
sap is weak and poor in quality, its fructifying power 
is wanting or weakened. 
Trusting that my remarks may be of some use to my 
brother planters, | remain, dear sir, yours faithfully, 
‘R. J. CoRBET. 
MR. CORBET ON THE CULTIVATION OF COFFEE 
IN HIGH DISTRICTS. 
(To the Editer ef the Ceylon Observer.) 
Colombo, 2nd June 1871. 
Sir,—Sinee writing my letter I have read one under 
the signature ef “‘Orum.” Whilst agreeing with him 
in many particulars, I differ from him on the sub- 
ject of water holes, unless combined with an efficient 
system of careful draining, and if the draiming should 
be done first, the results he notes weuld follow. 
Both holes and drains must receive equal attention, 
and be kept open, otherwise they are apt to do more 
harm than good. Surface manuring as he describes it 
I have tried, and with good effect; the great objec- 
tion to it is, that weeds spring up in the manure, 
that weeding contraetors will not give themselves the 
trouble to pull out these weeds with the hands, but 
scrape away weeds, manure, and the slight covering 
of earth together, and the roots which were spread- 
ing into the manure are exposed, die, and the state 
of that tree after a few months becomes worse than 
before. Do away with weeding contractors if you 
ean, weed with the hand, and then ky all means 
apply manure on the surface, on level, or at all events 
tolerably level ground and easy slopes. It will not 
be found to answer se well on steep sides of hills. 
fn my remarks upon pruning and handling, I should 
have dwelt upon the importance of low topping on 
high estates. 3 feet should be the maximum height ; 
2% or even 2 feet will be found to answer best in 
poor soils, on all ridges, and where exposed to wind ; 
don’t wait until your trees are blown over, top as 
soon after they have reached the required height as 
Posie, but top in the brown, and not in the green 
wood. 
Hedge-rews of coffee planted close, 2 feet apart or 
even closer every here and there on exposed features, 
across the direction of the prevailing wind, will be 
found useful; the coffee must be allowed to grow nat- 
