Dec. 1906.] 



512 



Correspondence. 



decomposing injures the shoot. Prom the third day after planting, watering by 

 irrigation or otherwise is carried on. The plants generally sprout after ten days, after 

 which they may be watered at intervals of four or five days. Manuring is done after 

 the plants are 5 or 6 feet above the pits, when ashes and manure are put in and covered 

 over three-fourths with loose earth. After this it is only necessary to keep down 

 weeds. The plants bear in the ninth month, and after three months the fruits are 

 fit for picking. A bunch weighs on an average from 20 to 25 lbs., but they go up to 

 30 and 40 lbs. The fruits are not allowed to ripen on the trees, but are placed in an 

 air-tight chamber which, after being filled with smoke through a hole, is closed. 

 This smoking is done twice daily for three or four days when the fruits become fit for 

 eating. After removal from the hot chamber the bunches are immersed in water. 



In Malabar there are two varieties of the fruit, called Attunendra and 

 Nendra, The latter is the best, as it matures and fruits very much sooner than the 

 former, and is altogether much to be preferied. 



The following statement represents the expenditure in cultivating an acre 

 of plantains : — 



2,000 shoots 

 do pits 

 Manuring 

 100 coolies 



pies each 



>' )» 

 ,, a pit 



annas for weeding 



Bamboo props for plants @ 6 pies each 

 4 coolies for 5 months @ Rs. 5 per head 

 2 Watchmen for 3 months to protect fruit at Rs. 5 

 Sundry expenses ... 

 Government tax 

 Rent for ground 



Pay of Agent @ Rs. 10 per mensem 



Rs, 



62 

 31 

 62 

 25 

 62 



100 

 30 

 15 

 3 

 2 



120 



Total ... Rs. 513 12 



The income from the above may be estimated as follows :— 

 100,000 fruits (taking 50 fruits to the bunch) at Rs. 8 per 

 1,000 (rough, this price goes up at times to Rs. 15 

 per 1,000) ... ... ... ... ... Rs. 800 



(Assuming on an average that each plant gives two shoots 

 for sale after the planter takes what he requires 

 4,000 shoots at 6 pies each ... ... ,,. 125 



Leaves ... .. ... ... ... ... „ 25 



Total 



Expenditure 



Rs. 950 

 „ 513 



Net profit per acre ... Rs. 437 



This is considered a fair statement, the expenditure being estimated on a 

 liberal scale. 



If anything could be done with the fibre of the stems, the profits would, of 

 course, be considerably enhanced . 



It would be most interesting to get comparative figures from Ceylon, and a 

 criticism of the above statement from such well-known fruit growers as Mr, Francis 

 Dabiel of Colombo, and Mr. George Amarasekera of Hanwella. 



Yours truly, 

 C. D. 



