§06 



SPICES AFD ERaGEA^TT WOODS. 



burned eartli^ when all is ready for tlie reception of tlie plant, 

 which; having been set out, if the weather be dry will require 

 watering for ten days or a fortnight after, in fact until it takes 

 the soil. 



The planter having set out ail his trees must not deem his labors 

 completed, they are only com^mencing. To arrive thus far is 

 simple and easy, but to patiently watch and tend the trees for ten 

 years after, requii'es all the enthusiasm already mentioned. About 

 three months after planting out, the young trees will receive great 

 benefit if a small quantity of liquid fish manure be given them.- 

 In the first six years they ought to be trenched round three times, 

 enlarging the circle each time, the trenches being dug close to the 

 extremities of the roots, which generally correspond to the ends of 

 the branches, and each new trench commencing where the old one 

 terminated. They must of course greatly increase in size as the 

 circle extends, requiring a proportionate quantity of manure, but 

 the depth ought never to be less than two feet. 



The object of trenching is to loosen the soil and permit the roots 

 to spread, otherwise the tree spindles instead of becoming broad 

 and umbrageous. Manure is beyond all other considerations the 

 most important to the welfare of the estate ; it is that which gives 

 quantity and quality of produce, and without it a plantation cannot 

 be carried on. The want of it must limit the cultivation in 

 the Straits' Settlements, and will arrest many a planter, who, 

 having got his plantation to look well up to the eighth year with 

 ¥ery Mttle manure, thinks he can go on in the same manner. The 

 nutmeg tree likes well all sorts of manures, but that which is 

 best suited for it seems to be well-rotted stable and cow-yard 

 manure, mixed with vegetable matter, and when the tree is in 

 bearing the outer covering of the nut itself is about one of the 

 Tery best things to be thrown into the dung-pit. Dead animals 

 buried not too near the roots, also blood, fish, and oil cakes are 

 beneficial. G-uano is of no use. 



But although manuring is the chief element in successful culti- 

 vation, there are many other matters for the planter to attend to 

 during the period that the trees are growing. All obnoxious grasses 

 must be carefully kept out of the plantation, at least from between 

 the trees, and the harmless grasses rather encouraged, as they keep 

 the surface cooL The trunk of the tree ought to be carefully 

 washed with soap and water once a year to keep it clear of moss ; 

 this has been ridiculed as a work of supererogation, but let those 

 who think so omit the operation. 



Parasitical plants of the genus Loranthus are very apt to attach 

 themselves to the branches, and if not removed do great injury. 



The insect enemies of the tree are not very numerous, but it 

 has a few, white ants among the number. They seldom attack a 

 vigorous plant; it is upon the first symptoms of weakness or decay 

 that they commence their operations. Their nests may be dis- 

 lodged from the roots of the plant by a dose of solution of pig dung, 

 to which they have a great aversion- 



