53 



Plenty of running water, large washing tanks, and receiving cisterns, 

 are very essential to producing fine quality coffee. 



It is sometimes considered better that the cisterns should be relined 

 with woo 1 ; fermentation is more easily set up in a wooden receiver 

 than a stone or cement tank, though the latter is good for washing out. 



I have noticed that those plantations who are best supplied with 

 cisterns and washing tanks realise the best prices for their coffee. 



CHEER PINE. 



PlNUS LONGIFOLIA. 



This species according to ,{ Gordon's Pinetum" attains to a height 

 of from 60 to 100 feet, and is confined in a great measure to the outer 

 or lower ranges of the mountains of N. India, commencing as low as 

 1,000 feet above the level of the sea, and rarely, if ever, attains a 

 greater elevation than 7,000 feet, but appears to have a very great 

 power of enduring variations of climate : for it seems equ dly at home 

 in the hot, damp valleys of Sikkim, as on the dry, stony hills of the 

 Punjaub, where rain hardly ever falls, and it is at all seasons exposed 

 to a powerful and scorching sun. 



A large quantity of tar and turpentine is extracted from the wood, 

 and the chips are used for candles in India, and called " Chamsing" 

 (night-lights) ; and, according to Sir J. D. Hooker, ink is made in 

 Sikkim from the charcoal of the burnt leaves mixed with rice-water. 



It is called " Cheer" by the hill people in India ; a word according 

 to some meaning " Bark" or " Rind", so conspicuous on old trees ; but, 

 according to others,, from its milk or turpentine, which it produces in 

 great abundance It is called " Sulla" by the mountain people from 

 Nepal to Buseher, a term denoting " to spread fragrance," which this 

 tree does to a remarkable extent. 



Timber excellent, and full of turpentine. The seeds are large witn 

 rather long narrow wings, one inch and a half long ; they are eateu 

 by the hill people in India. 



Yeitch states that its most marked characteristic is seen in the 

 leaves, which are of a vivid green, disposed in spiral rows round'the 

 young wood, varying in length from 12 t ) 18 inches, very slender and 

 pendulous. 



A few plants are available for distribution from Hope Gardens. 



BANANAS, COFFEE, COOOA IN COSTA RICA. 



Extract from Consular Report for 1900. 



By Mr. Consul Harrison. 

 Bananas. 



The banana industry continues to develop, the quantity of fruit ex- 

 ported in 1900 being larger by 457,395 bunches than in 1899. The 

 follow in g returns of the number of bunches exported show tb3 rapid 

 growth of this trade since its commencemeut in 1881 : — 



