SPICE-, CONDIMEKlN, AND PEEEUME-PEODUCING PLANTS. 379 



The Cingalese caste of cinnainon-peelers is distinct from the other 

 castes, and its members are seldom found following other occupations in 

 life. 



The cultivation of Cinnamon is mostly confined to lowlands near the 

 coast, though it will grow up to 2,000 feet above sea-level. The plant is 

 partial to light sandy soil, and the best plantations are formed on a soil 

 composed mainly of snowy white siliceous sand. Most of the native 

 gardens are very closely planted, and almost a thicket at times. In 

 forming a plantation it would be advisable to plant at a regular distance 

 of six feet apart each way. 



Propagation is by root division or by seed, and the ground should 

 be kept free from weeds. For the proper working of the estate roads 

 are a necessity, and must be formed according to the lay of the land, and 

 drains cut where required. 



Buildings are a simple item on a Cinnamon estate, only drying and 

 packing sheds being required, as the owner generally lives on an 

 adjoining estate. 



The harvesting of Cinnamon bark goes on every year, but it is not an 

 annual growth that is always ready to be cut down. 



A profitable crop may be considered from 100 lb. to 120 lb. of good 

 quill from an acre. All the chips are turned to good account by distilla- 

 tion into oil. Cinnamon oil is of great value, but can be severely 

 adulterated into many forms ; it is also one of the most powerful 

 antiseptics known to the medical world. 



Cinnamon oil last year was shipped, to the United Kingdom 

 174,000 oz.., Belgium 4,300 oz., France 2,000 oz., Germany 100,000 oz., 

 America 10,000 oz. ; more than double the quantity of any previous 

 year. 



Cinnamomum Cassia (Cassia lignea), of China, has always been a 

 rival to the Ceylon cinnamon, and no doubt is the spice brought from 

 South China and the original cinnamon of the Mosaic and other early 

 writings. The leaves have an exceedingly pleasant scent, and the export 

 of this product from Canton has in some seasons been twelve million 

 pounds. 



China supplies the South American States, Peru, and Brazil. 



Camphoe. 



The camphor tree is a native of Formosa, China, and Japan, and 

 attains to a height of about 40 feet ; the wood, like all the other parts of 

 the tree, is pervaded by camphor, and hence resists the attacks of insects. 

 The well-known camphor is obtained by distilling or boiling the chopped 

 wood or root ; the subsequently condensed camphoric mass is subjected 

 to a purifying sublimation process. It likes light, damp soil, and can be 

 successfully grown from 2,000 to 5,000 feet above sea-level. Its cultiva- 

 tion has been rapidly extended in the East and West Indies and America. 



The camphor tree is indigenous to the island of Formosa, covering 

 the mountainous districts in the eastern portion. 



The Camphor Bureau prohibits the cutting of trees under fifty years 

 of age, but such control is difficult to regulate under savage tribes that 

 still exist in these forests. 



