54 



COFFEE. 



Toe comparative result of this table sliows — 1st. That, in the 

 year 1841, coffee had been gathered from 20,000,000 more trees 

 than the number in 1840, and that the crop had increased by 

 171,000 piculs. 



2nd. That, in the month of March, 1842, there were above 

 7 millions less of coffee trees than in 1840. This diminution is 

 merely nominal, seeing that these trees have served to replace 

 those vs^hich by their small produce have to be suppressed in the 

 lowlands of the residency of Baylen. On the contrary, the increase 

 of trees, planted from 1839 to 1840, amount to very nearly the 

 same number, of 7 millions. 



3rd. That, in the season of 1842, there was planted nearly 

 20 millions of plants ; of which 12 millions are to serve to replace 

 the old trees, and 8 miliious are destined to extend this culture. 

 It is calculated that this island will very soon be in a condition to 

 produce a million of piculs or 125 millions more of Dutch pounds 

 of coffee. Previous to 1830, Java scarcely exported as much as 

 40 millions of pounds. 



Cultivation and Preparation of Coffee in Java. — For the follow- 

 ing valuable details I am indebted to M. de Munnick, the inspector 

 of the agricultural department, Batavia, as contributed to my 

 " Colonial Magazine " (vol. xi. p. 46). 



Soil and Situation. — Elevated lands are found to be those best 

 suited for the growth of coffee in Java. Land situated between 

 1,000 and 4,000 feet above the level of the sea may be generally 

 said to be adapted to the cultivation of coffee. It mnist not be 

 taken for granted that all ground of less elevation is unsuited. 

 Suitable ground is to be found lower down, but the cultivation on 

 it is more difficult ; the tree gives less fruit, and the plant is less 

 durable. Valleys lying between high mountains are more especially 

 fit for coffee plantatious, because the soil which is washed down 

 from the heights affords fresh food continually to the lowlands ; 

 the valleys themselves are moist, since the hills surroundiug them 

 attract the rain ; and they are shut out from severe winds by the 

 same protecting enclosure. The soils best suited to the successful 

 growth of coffee may be classed as follows : — 



Mrstly. Cleared forest lands, especially those iuAvhich the black 

 leafy, or vegetable mould is found to considerable depth. These 

 are the richest grounds^ and will support the coffee plant for many 

 years, and they are also cultivated with the least trouble. 



Secondlij. Dark brown soils, approaching to black, which, with- 

 out having much clay in them, appear to the eye to have a mix- 

 ture of coral. The greater the depth of this coral-like stratum, 

 and of the reddish or deep yellowish soil, the better is the ground 

 for coffee. This kind of land also has sufficient strength and sub- 

 stance to afford nourishment for many years to the plant ; but it 

 entails niore trouble than the before mentioned soils, because the 

 young plant does not so speedily strike root into it, and sometimes 

 dies, so that provision has to be made against failures. 



Tiiirdlij. Eeddish and loose ground, such as is generally found 



