60 



COFFEE. 



although this is not always the case, many trees increasing until their 

 twelfth year. 



When the young plants are about to be removed from the nursery 

 to the field, it is by many planters considered beneficial to trim their 

 roots, and cut off the tap-root ; and I have myself frequently followed 

 this practice, although I am now inclined to think that the benefits 

 supposed to result are very much to be doubted. 



It is very certain that, under any circumstances, great caution 

 should be exercised, and every attention paid to the time of year, 

 quality of soil, and particular season prevailing. 



When the young trees have attained a certain height — generally 

 from four to five feet — the West Indian custom is to " top " them, for 

 the purpose of stopping their upward growth, and to cause the trees 

 to expand, by throwing out lateral branches. 



This plan is admirably adapted to the peculiarities of certain 

 elevated localities, such as the higher ranges of the Blue Mountains 

 in Jamaica ; but I am fully convinced that, under different circum- 

 stances, and in lower regions, the practice would be anything but 

 beneficial or proper. Careful observation and considerable judgment 

 are required, even by practical and experienced men, to determine the 

 extent to which this process may be carried ; and I am sure that 

 much injury, and consequent loss, is occasioned by an indiscriminate 

 adherence to this custom. 



The variation in the practice may be appropriately evidenced in 

 the two systems which I should recommend for adoption in Natal, viz. 

 the Berea and coast lands generally, and the higher lands ranging 

 from Field's Hill upwards. In the former I should not think of 

 topping, or cutting back, my coffee trees, until they had attained a 

 height of from six to eight feet, when they would speedily become 

 large and spreading trees, capable, under judicious management, of 

 bearing a very considerable quantity of really good coffee. In the 

 latter (viz. the higher lands) I should almost invariably keep the 

 trees at about five feet high and no taller. 



The difference in produce I should calculate somewhat as follows : 

 Average of full-bearing trees, in the Berea and coast lands, say 

 20 lbs. per tree, of good mixed quality coffee ; and in the higher 

 lands, say 10 lbs. per tree, of superior quality coffee, both cui-ed and 

 ready for market. 



I feel assured that time and carefully conducted experiments will 

 serve to verify these opinions ; but I am no less certain that, until 

 local experience has proved me to be correct, there will be many 

 persons who will totally disagree with my views on this point. 



Twenty acres of land, cultivated in the manner I suggest, would in 

 a short time form a very valuable little property ; and when the trees 

 come into full bearing, a large income might be derived from it, as it 

 should then yield 140,000 lbs. of cured coffee, worth 6d. per lb. — 

 3500Z. per annum. This is a large sum, and the system is one so 

 entirely different to that pursued in the West Indies, Ceylon, and 

 other coffee-producing countries, that the most contemptuous incre- 

 dulity will, I am sure, be exhibited by many experienced and highly 

 esteemed planters, when they first read the principles I am now endea- 



