323 



" The copra produced on the European estates again 

 maintained its good name and commanded top prices in the 

 market, but great complaints are still made of that manufac- 

 tured by the natives. This is especially the case in the 

 Kuala Selangor district where the Chinese dealers who buy 

 from the natives have a habit of soaking the bags which 

 contain the copra in order to make it heavier. 



" I regret to state also that the natives are still picking 

 immature nuts. My staff on their inspections are con- 

 tinually informing the owners of the folly of this procedure 

 and circulars have been issued to this effect. 



'* Prices. — The price of coconuts in the various district 

 during the year was as follows : 



Kuala Lumpur, Ulu Selangor and Ulu Langat ... 5 to 8 cents each 



Klang and Kuala Langat 3 to 4 „ 



Kuala Selangor and Bernam 2 to 5 „ " 



The Malays are also beginning to plant rubber-trees on their 

 holdings. 



The cultivation of tapioca and gambier is being gradually sup- 

 planted by that of rubber. 



The Inspector of Coconut Plantations estimates the area under 

 coconut cultivation in the State at 19,037 acres — an increase of only 

 258 acres as compared with the previous year. He attributes the 

 insignificance of this increase to the fact that rubber cultivation is 

 more popular and more profitable at the present time. Doubtless 

 this is so. Coconuts are, however, a very safe investment, and I anti- 

 cipate that some of the coast rubber estates will plant some of their 

 reserve lands with coconuts. The Malay kampong is also a source 

 of increase to the area under this cultivation. But coconuts thrive 

 best near the sea, and the area for the extension of this form of 

 planting is rather limited in this State. 



Land and Agriculture. 



The total land revenue for the year was $103,275 and was 

 satisfactory, being a record for the State. Rents from town and 

 agricultural lands amounted to $49,326, being an increase over the 

 amount collected in 1908 of $3,714. Mining rents amounted to 

 $20,552, being an increase of $2,903. 



Many complaints are made of the laziness and inefficiency of the 

 Pahang " raiat." Those who sit in judgment on him are apt to for- 

 get that only within the last twenty years has a Pahang kampong 

 Malay had any security that he would enjoy the fruits of any industry 

 he displayed; generations of a rule, under which the weak man's 

 freedom from molestation depended upon his poverty, have naturally 

 discouraged habits of industry, alr-^ady sufficiently discouraged by the 

 ease with which the lov/ prevalent standard of comfort could be 



