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Edible Products. 



2. The temperature in the soil was very high during the drought, reaching 

 at six inches below the ground in laterite soil a maximum of 111* on the 9th of 

 September. Weeds and even endemic trees died out, principally those which ai e 

 planted on steep land and which can only grow with the aid of rain. It is difficult 

 to imagine these islands without their refreshingly green aspect, and even a short 

 drought seems to influence the growth of plants in a marked degree. If one visits 

 them during a period of drought an erroneous deduction can be made with regard to 

 their agricultural possibilities. The trees which suffer from the drought are princi- 

 pally those which are exposed to the sight of the precipitous hills. It then seems 

 that the country is good for nothing. But as soon as the rainfalls, in a compara- 

 tively short time the ground presents another aspect. In consequence of these 

 climatic variations most persons are inclined to change their minds very often 

 regarding the agricultural development of this colony. However, the last drought 

 was abormally long, and its effects, which cannot be measured entirely as yet, seem 

 to have disappeared. 



3. The crop of coconuts for 1904 is an average crop, although nmch inferior 

 to the preceding one, and so is the crop of vanilla. In 1905 a reduction in the crop 

 of both products will also be felt as compared with that of 1903. 



With regard to coconuts, the nuts which were maturing during the drought 

 were abnormally small, and in some cases 1,000 nuts produced only 260 lb. of copra. 

 Few flowers were successfully pollinated in May, June, or July, but this happens 

 more or less every year. The action of the showers of August and September on 

 the flowers was beneficial, and the shortage in the crop for 1905 will probably not 

 extend over a long period. 



Regarding vanilla, on most estates one-third of the vines died out, but the 

 flowering on the remaining vines was better than usual. 



In many localities flowers appeared in March, August, and November produc- 

 ing three distinct crops instead of one. The period of rest induced by a spell of dry 

 weather distinctly showed its well-known effects on this abnormal flowering. 



In presence of a shortage in the staple productions of this colony it was 

 decided to face reductions in the expenses of all departments. 



INTRODUCTION AND SALE OF PLANTS. 



4. Extra expenditure has been incurred this year to introduce from Ceylon 

 the following plants :— 



First consignment, shipped on the 13th July, received by H.M.S. "Merlin":— 



5,000 selected coconuts. 

 5,000 nutmeg seeds. 

 10,000 cocoa seeds. 

 2,000 cola seeds. 



18 sacks of cocoa pods. 



With the exception of the cocoa pods which were damaged by exposure 

 during an exceptionally rainy voyage, these seeds arrived in very good condition. 



Second consignment, shipped 22nd August, via Aden :— 

 5,000 coconuts. 



800 cocoa pods. 

 1,000 nutmeg seeds. 



26,400 Para rubber seeds packed in tins. 

 Third consignment, shipped 22nd September, via Bombay :— 

 2,714 cocoa pods. 

 71,000 Para rubber seeds. 



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