October, 1912.] 



301 



Cacao. 



Cacao is being planted to some extent, and it is expected that the 

 crop will become of greater importance in years to come. In the Govern- 

 ment plantations at Kampala the trees are planted 13' x 26' and inter- 

 planted with Para 26' x 26'. The trees, though still young, have made 

 remarkable progress, though they have suffered damage from the cacao 

 night beetle (Adoretus hirtellus) which is being much reduced by spray- 

 ing with Paris Green, Trees under shade (generally of bananas) seem to 

 suffer less than those exposed to bright sunlight. 



Coffee. 



Coffee is fast attaining to a position of first importance. There is a 

 great increase in the number of European planters, while the cultivation 

 is being very popular among the natives. Arabian coffee does extremely 

 well, frequently coming into bearing in two years and giving yields 

 which are probably not exceeding in any other country. Coffee is being 

 planted as a catch crop with Para rubber, but the tendency now i9 to 

 plant it as a pure crop. C. robusta is cultivated only to a small extent. 

 The indigenous coffee (a variety of Robusta) is a very strong growing 

 plant, and the beans though small are of good quality. 



Other Cultivation. 



Of other crops wheat does well at elevations of over 6,000 feet. The 

 natives do seem to take to rice. Tobacco cultivation has so far made little 

 progress. Plantains, being the staple food of the natives, are largely 

 grown, some varieties being used only for beer- making. Next to plantains 

 as a food crop comes sweet potatoes : some tribes string them sliced and 

 dried for an idefinite period for flour making. Ground-nuts are extensively 

 cultivated and form an important item of export. Sem-Sem is widely 

 grown and extensively used by the natives. In the drier districts millets 

 furnish both a food and a beverage. Maize is a subsidary food crop. 

 Cassava is widely cultivated, but sugarcane only to a small extent. 

 Chillies, though not systematically cultivated, form an important item of 

 export. 



A system of agricultural instruction for natives is being established 

 and the employing of travelling instructors has proved very useful 

 particularly in connection wich cotton cultivation. 



GROUNDNUT CROP IN THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY, 



INCLUDING NATIVE STATES, FOK 1912-13. 



(Estimates up to 1st August.) 



Information incomplete. Repotted area 65,000 acres in British Dis- 

 tricts and 36,000 acres in Native States, 24 per cent, below corresponding 

 area last year but nearly double the decennial average at same date. 

 Rain commenced late and sowings which have been delayed a fortnight 

 to month still continue in places. Crop generally good. The area in 

 British Territory in this forecast represents some 15 7% of the total crop 

 in British India. 



