308 NOTES ON ECONOMIC PLANTS. 



of its newest uses is that of an antidote for the effects of 

 alcohol, or cure for inebriety, a nut powdered and taken in a 

 little water is said to at once restore the most intoxicated 

 mind to a state of sobriety. It is also used to heal wounds, as 

 a remedy for indigestion, and a substitute for coffee, &c. The 

 plant grows well in the Straits. 



IPECACUANHA [Cephselis ipecacuanha), a native of Brazil, 

 and a plant which has been found generally very difficult to 

 cultivate, seems to grow in the Straits with all the luxuriance 

 of its native country when a proper situation is hit upon. It 

 enjoys a very moist still atmosphere and somewhat dense 

 shade. In the Straits it forms a compact little bush of about 

 eighteen inches in height and is very ornamental when well 

 in flower. I lately visited a plantation of the plant in Johor 

 and saw thousands of plants in excellent health. They were 

 protected from the sun by palm leaves laid side by side on 

 artificial supports about 6 feet in height; hedges of the same 

 material were put down a few yards apart. Soil chocolate 

 colour, rich in vegetable matter, wood ashes, &c. 



TOBACCO [Nicotiana tobacum) — The soil of the Straits is 

 generally not sufficiently rich for the successful cultivation of 

 tobacco, except perhaps as a first crop after the removal of 

 virgin forest, or in specially prepared compost. The plant 

 requires heavy manuring to keep it growing satisfactorily on 

 ordinary ground, as it exhausts the soil so quickly and 

 thoroughly. Where the soil is not congenial, to start with its 

 cultivation can hardly prove remunerative. Seed of the best 

 kinds have however been distributed amongst the planting 

 community. 



CAMPHOR (Camphor a officinarum), or Formosa Camphor, 

 is not of much interest to Straits people so far as its cultiva- 

 tion is concerned, the climate being unsuitable for its proper 

 growth. It nevertheless grows fairly well in Singapore. 



Sumatra Camphor (Dryobalanops aromatica), also 

 known as Borneo Camphor, is sparingly found on the Penin- 

 sula ; and its- importance in the afforestation of the Settle- 

 ments is not overlooked. Private enterprise will hardly ever 



