(COFFEE CULTIVATION AND MANURING. 113 
nothing to do with us. We are constructed after 
quite a different fashion to tke trees in Europe, and, 
as I told you befere, get one ef your number, who 
as learned in vegetable nature, to turn his attention 
to the study of our particular nature, and I am 
‘quite confident he will tell you before long neither 
to cut holes for our food, nor cut our roots in any 
way if you can help it. 
Master :—Before £ go will you tell me, suppose 
there is net ashes enough lying about at the time 
I empty the cisterns to mix with the contents, what 
would be the best thing to mix with ib, for it is cer- 
tain, if it is net mixed with something, the coolies 
won't carry it. : 
TreE:—The soil from a bank, # one is handy ; 
if not, make a hole ana take out the sub-soil and 
mix that with the contents of the cisterns, in such 
proportions that you will be sure that 4 oz. of the 
pure contents ef the cisterns shall be in every por- 
tion applied to eaeh tree. 
MastTer :—Why do you say that sub-soil and not 
surface soil which might be get easier is the best. 
TREE :—Because the surface soil has had a greaf 
‘deal of its strength taken out of it, and the sub-soil 
das in itself all that is required for the growth of 
any plant or tree, and only requires to be exposed 
to the action of the sun and air to make it as good 
as the surface soil was, when you fiftst cut down the 
jungle, and by being mixed with the contents of the 
cisterns and laid on the surface it will get the requis- 
ite exposure, and after we have used up all it con- 
tains from the cisterns, it will be in a fit state to 
serve as food fer us itself. , 
Master :—I am very much afraid of the expense 
of the buildings necessary to enable me to make use 
of the information you have given me, but I am thank- 
ful to ycu all the same, 
TREE ;—You are very welcome to the information I 
have given you, and I hope when you have made your 
buildings and begin to reap the benefit from it, that you 
will not be ungrateful for the information, by carrying 
all the contents of your cisterns past me, and giving 
it all to those who have done very little for you, thereby 
obliging me at some future time to sign myself 
A SHUCK “COFFEE TREE, 
MR. W. SABONADIERE ON SURFACE 
MANURING. 
Delta, Pussellawa, June 9th, 1871. 
Dear Srr,—As you have invited discussion on the 
mubject of manuring coffee estates, permit me through 
J 
