EXPEDITION TO MOLUCCA ISLA.XD*. 00 



tion, they fairly fell the first wliich in its fall brings down all the 

 others to leeward of it. After the trees are somewhat dry. they 

 are set tire to, hut seldom that I could perceive, were entirely 

 consumed ; very large timbers still lying in the direction they 

 chanced to fall. This and the quantity of ground lost by the stumps 

 still remaining, if left to nature to decay, as is usually the case, 

 impedes the cultivation for not less than six years and sometimes 

 ten. I am, therefore, of opinion that it would be more advantageous 

 to dig the trees at first fairly out of the ground, at least to cut all 

 the roots that spread, and then ropes fixed to the top could easily 

 bring down the trees by tackles attached to the liases of the adjoin- 

 ing trees, and when this was insufficient the aid of the axe and 

 mamooty could soon effect it. Eice is generally cultivated after the 

 wood is cut down, but from the ground not being effectually 

 cleared there is full a third part of it lost, for at least six years, 

 and the standing stumps give it the most barbarous appearance 

 possible. The first expense and trouble is greater in the way that 

 I conceive best, but the surface gained must more than counter- 

 balance it; for in the present manner there is the profit of two 

 entire years' cultivation of the whole lost in the first six years. 

 The variety and luxuriance of the trees over this island, as over 

 all the Malay islands, is very great, timber very plenty and good : 

 but they have no teak, which is the best wood in India : Poon 

 grows to an immense size, and one tree large enough for the 

 Suffolk's main mast, for wliich 1 am told it was intended, now lays 

 upon the beacli. 



The soil about the town itself is sandy and very disagreeable, 

 being quite loose sand, or overgrown with a kind of long grass, 

 the seeds of which stick in one's stockings and are very trouble- 

 some. The inland part of the island is very high, covered with wood 

 and as yet unexplored, except a path which is cut to the signal 

 house on the highest point of the island. The pepper plantations 

 here flourish extremely well, and I am told that the pepper is of a 

 better quality than at Bencoolon, wliich has diminished in the 

 quantity of its produce considerably for some years past. Perhaps 

 this circumstance may he the means of encouraging Pulo Penang, 

 which it certainly wants very much at present, though it thrives 

 fast notwithstanding; : but there is a doubt in the minds of the inha- 



