64 PLANTS OF PRINCE OF WALES ISLAND. 



those of the Morinda ; whence they interfere less with the 

 pepper, and do not draw so much nourishment from the earth. 



The Morinda was formerly made to grow with one 

 stem, but this was not found to afford sufficient spread for 

 the vines. Therefore when that tree is used, the practice now 

 is to break off the principal stem, at a height of about two feet 

 from the ground. This obliges the trees to put out lateral 

 branches at that height. AYhen these have attained a length 

 of about a foot or fifteen inches, they are cut off*. From their 

 end arise erect shoots each of which forms a stem, so that the 

 vine has four or five stems to climb on, instead of one. 



The vines, at three years of age, begin to produce, and they 

 are reckoned to be in full bearing at five or six. They continue 

 nearly in the same state for eight years more, or till they are 

 fourteen years old. From that period they are reckoned on 

 the decline ; but the planters on Prince of Wales's Island can- 

 not yet judge from experience at what rate, or in how long a 

 time they decay. Some Chinese, who have cultivated the 

 plant, on the Malay coast, say the vines have not arrived at 

 their point of greatest produce till they are fourteen years old ; 

 that from this gradually declining, they continue bearing till 

 near thirty. 



The first year of bearing, or at three years old, the vines 

 do not yield more than half a catty each. But plants kept in 

 good order, when in their prime, will produce three catties. 

 A plantation of 3,000 vines at Soongcy Clooan, now in its 

 eleventh year, has been let for three years at seventy picols 

 yearly, or at the rate of 2i catties each plant. It must there- 

 fore produce as much more as will pay the tenant for his 

 labour and risk. They are generally let for the first five years 

 of bearing, or from three to eight years old, at 160 picol per 

 Lukcha (10,000) or at 160 catties for 100 vines. 



The vines yield two crops yearly. The first gathering 

 commences inDecember, after the heavy rains are over; and 

 at the same time, the vines have put out new flowers. This 

 first collection may be finished in February. The flowers 

 which spread in December have ripened their seeds in April 

 or May. The second collection then begins, and ends in July. 



Jour. Straits Branch 



