Red Sc a.] 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



73 



light brown bark ; the branches arc horizontal, the leaves when fully grown 

 are 4 or 5 inches long, and 2 broad in the middle. The flowers are pro- 

 duced in bunches at the roots of the leaves; the fruit, the only useful part, 

 resembles a cherry ; it grows in clusters, and when of a deep red, is 

 gathered. It is of an oval form, smaller than ahorse bean, and of a tough, 

 close, and very hard texture, prominent on one side, and ilatted on the other, 

 having a large deep furrow running along the flatted side. It is moderately 

 heavy, hard to break, of a greyish yellow colour, and a somewhat bitterish 

 taste. 



Of the coffee produced in the Eastern parts of the world, that of Mocha 

 is esteemed the best; secondly, that of the Island of Bourbon ; and thirdly, 

 that of Java. 



It is impossible to ascertain, with accuracy, the quantity of coffee raised 

 in the East Indies. It appears that, formerly, one year with another, there 

 were annually exported from Arabia 60,000 bahars. 



Coffee was never an object of cultivation worth attention in any part 

 of our extensive territories in the East Indies, till within a few years: now 

 some considerable plantations have been formed at Chittagong, but the pro- 

 duce is considered inferior to either the Java or Bourbon. It is likewise 

 cultivated on the west coast of Sumatra, but to a trifling extent, and of a 

 very inferior sort. 



Mocha coffee is the most valuable kind, and is what is commonly called 

 in Europe, Turkey Coffee ; it is packed in large bales, each containing a 

 number of smaller bales, or frazils, and should be chosen of a greenish olive 

 hue, fresh and new, free from any musty smell, the berries of a middling 

 size, clean, plump, and as free from sticks and other impurities as possible, 

 and particular care should be taken, that it is not false packed ; it is very apt 

 to imbibe moisture, or the flavour of any thing placed near it ; it should 

 therefore not be stowed in a ship's hold, if it can possibly be avoided. Coffee 

 imported in packages of less than 112 lbs. net is liable to seizure, and no 

 smaller packages can be entered for exportation. The quantity allowed to 

 a ton, is 18 cwt 



Dates are sent in large quantities from Arabia to the British settle- 

 ments in India. This fruit is somewhat in the shape of an acorn, composed 

 of a thin, light, and glossy membrane, somewhat pellucid and yellowish, 

 which contains a fine, soft, and pulpy fruit, that is firm, sweet, and rather 

 vinous to the taste; within this is enclosed a solid, tough, hard kernel, of a 

 pale grey colour on the outside, marbled within like a nutmeg. They are 

 generally left on the tree until quite ripe (at which time they are soft, and 

 of a high red colour,) and then are pressed into pails, or baskets, until they 



