50 



I have veiy little doubt that the dolomite here alluded to is only magnesian 

 limestone, and which is most inimical to the coffee hnsh. 



I am aware that already several manures have been tried on coffee with vary- 

 ing degrees of success. Guano has, I believe, quite failed, and is besides very 

 costly. Cattle manure is said to be effective, and no doubt it is, but it is a costly 

 and troublesome affair. Bones, ground fine, are now being tried, though they 

 cannot but prove most expensive, especially when imported. 



A ton of bone dust contains of animal matter, 746 lbs, ; phosphates of lime, 

 &c., l,2ioibs. ; carbonates of lime, &c., 249 lbs. 



The virtue of bones lies in the phosphates far more than in the animal matter, 

 and thus their action on soils is felt for many years after their application. The 

 Singalese cultivators of paddy about Colombo and Galle, appear to have been 

 long aware of the fertiliziag effects of this kind of manure, and import the 

 article in dhonies from many parts of the coast ; they bruise them coarsely be- 

 fore applying them. 



The partially decomposed husks of the coffee berry have been tried for some 

 years, and successfully, but they are dif&cult of collection, and bulky to remove 

 from one part of the estate to another. 



In Europe it would appear that little is yet known as to the causes of the 

 fertilising effects of oil- cake; some suppose them to arise mainly from the oil 

 left by the crushing ]5rocess, but this is not at all clear. I do not, however, see 

 that we must look for much assistance from Poonac as a manure for coffee : for 

 the cocoanut tree it is doubtless most valuable, but we have yet to learn that, 

 beyond supplying so much more vegetable matter, it helps the action of the 

 soil on the roots of the coffee bush, which, after all, is what is really required. 



For the proper application of the dolomite to land as manure, it should be 

 freely burnt in a kiln, with a good quantity of wood, the ashes of wiiich should 

 be afterwards mixed with the burnt lime, and the whole exposed for suverai 

 days to the action of the air, sheltered of course from the weather. The mix- 

 ture should be applied just before the setting in of the monsoon rains : if the 

 land be tolerably level, the lime may be scattered broad-cast on the surface, 

 though not cj[uite near the plants. When the estate to be manured is steep, 

 then the substance to be applied should be placed in ridges cut crossways to the 

 descent of the slopes. 



About one cwt. to the acre would be ample for most lands ; some may, how- 

 ever, require more. The contents of the husk pits might advantageously be 

 mixed up with the burnt lime, when a sufficiency of it has been saved. 



A planter in Ambaganioe states tliat lie has tried tlie following- 

 remedy for that desiructive scourge, the colfee-bug, with great 

 success. 



He applies saltpetre in a finely-powdered state, dusted over 

 the tree when wet with rain or dew. The operation is inexpensive, 

 as a very small quantity suffices, one cwt. being sufficient for nine 

 or ten acres. It can be applied through a bamboo-joint covered 

 with a perforated top, or any equally simple contrivance. 



Messrs. Worms' are reported to have found coco-nut oil an 

 effijctual remedy. 



To sum up the question of manures : — 



Poonac, the marc or cake, after the coco-nut oil is expressed, 

 is represented to be a stimulating manure ; but is not durable. 

 Lime is an useful application, especially to stiff soils, as the 

 coffee tree contains 60 parts of lime. Bone-dust is an excellent 

 fertiliser, but in Ceylon it is found that it cannot be applied at a 

 less expense than £5 per acre. Cattle manure is the cheapest 

 and most available. Guano does not seem suitable. 



