66 PLANTS OF PRINCE OF WALES ISLAND. 



the pepper is stated too high at 14 dollars per picol; and the 

 interest of money, on both sides of the account, is neglected. 

 Yet if we value the pepper only at ten dollars for which it is 

 presumed it may always be sold on the field, and compute the 

 interest, the result will give an advantage, exceeding the 

 Superintendent's calculation, by 31,000 dollars. See Appen- 

 dix A. 



The whole quantity of pepper produced last year on the 

 Island, was estimated at something between sixteen and twenty 

 thousand picols. Taking the medium quantity at 12 dollars, 

 which was the selling price, this article must have amounted 

 to 2,16,000 dollars. The pepper is more esteemed than that 

 which comes from the Malay continent and Sumatra, and it 

 sells for about one dollar more per picol. The difference is 

 occasioned by the haste of the Malays to gather the fruit before 

 it is sufficiently ripe. 



APPENDIX A. 



Estimated expense and produce in 12 years, of 100 Oorlongs, planted 



with Pepper. 



Dr. Cr. Ballance. 



Sp. Drs. Pa. Sp. Drs. P. Sp. Drs. P. 



1st Year, Clearing of heavy 

 timber by Malays at 5 Drs. 



Oorlong 500 



To the Chinese contractor, 

 in the course of 3 years, 

 when he engages to deliver 

 the Plantation in full bear- 

 ing, @ $22.50 per 1000 

 plants ... $22,500.00 



Of this in the first vear 



8437.50 8437.50 8,937.50 Dr. 



Jour. Straits Branch 



