CHAPTER FIT? ST, 



Climate— Soil — Geological formation of the Hills. 



THOSE who have long resided on Penang must have 

 noticed a con* iderable increase <»f late in agricultural 

 activity a#d spirit, i change for the better which may 

 l>e attributed both to depression of commerce and to 

 increase of population, It is to lie hoped that the 

 stimulus which has been given — from whatever source 

 derived — will not tye suffered to relax, nor perhaps 

 will it he iij>jvr<-,iijahlo to anticipate ^till more vigorous 

 exertion* frsni' i:e opening which the new charter of 

 the East Imki '!ompun\ gives to agricultural specu- 

 lators. Thfc following reflections, therefore, the glean- 

 ings of experience, have been thrown together with 

 the view , » - >othing the path and lessening the risk 

 to the auSi'jitiirous planter. 



CLIMATE. 



The d ii ati of Penang and of Province Wellesley 

 slightly differ in some respects from each other, hut 

 both are adapted to all the purposes of intertropical 

 agriculture* Hurricanes have never visited either of 

 these places, although strung quails have occasionally 

 dotie Considerable mischief to plantations. The evil 

 I, * hipoih Mam extended beyond shaking fruit off 

 the trees, prostrating a weak tree here and there, and 

 breaking a few' brandies. Droughts of considerable 

 duration occur at intervals of four or five years — and 

 Bdmfer oiwtf at longer periods. The planter can al- 

 w-A\y !,i .St by tanks and wells agaiust any material 

 loss from drought. A superabundance of' rani is an 



