SUMATRA. 
ingof, and to the fouthward in general, than amongft tha people ofMc- 
nangcabow, the Battas and Achenefe, whofe frtquent wars demand large 
fupplies. It is made J as with us, of proportions of charcoal > lulphur 
and nitre, but the compofition is very imperfetlrly granulated, being 
often haftily prepared, in Imali quantities, for immediate ufe* The laft 
article, though found in greateft quantity in the faltpetre-caves before 
fpoken of, is moft commonly procured from goat's dung, which is always 
to be had iii plenty. 
The y^^ce or country fugar is ufualty made from the juice of the 
anoUf a fj>ecies of palm tree, extracted in the manner already defcribcd. 
In fome places, but rarely, they prefs the fugar cane for this purjx>fe, in a 
mill, the rollers of which are worked by theendlcfs fcrew, inftead of coggs; 
one of the two, which is longer than the other, having a bar through it that 
is turned by the hand. The juice is 15 m ply boiled till a confidence is 
formed, but fcarcely at all granulated, being little more than a thick 
fyrup. This is made into cakes, fpread upon leaves to dry, and after- 
wards lapt up in oopre or the inner bark of the penang tree. This jatrgree, 
befide its ordinary ufes as liigar, being mixed with lime, makes a fine 
cement for building, and an exquifite p latter for walls, which m fome 
parts of India equals marble in appearance. The liquor of the anou, 
called neeroo or toddy, is drunk whillt frefli, and proves an agreeably 
beverage. It is alfo made ufe of in a fermented ftate, to efied: which 
a compofition is employed called ra^ee j and a quantity of rice being 
at the fame time fteeped in it, the liquor then becomes intoxicating, and 
is called brum* This Is in fa<5t the bafis of the fpirit called mratk, but 
the Sumatrans have not the art of diftilling it.* The Malays, when re- 
* Many attempts hmt been made by the Englifii to bring to |i«rfe^ion the manufa^ure of 
fugar and amck from the canes : but the expences, particularly of the flaves, were always found 
to exceed the advantages. With in thefe few years, that the plantations and works were committed 
to the management of Mr. Henry Botbam ; it hat manifellly appeared rbat the end is to be obtaine^f 
by employing the Ch'mefe in tht works of the field, and allowing ihcma proportion of the produce, 
for their labor. The manufaflure had arrived at a confidcrablc esctent, when the breaking out 
of the war gave a check to it^t progrcfs : but the path it pointed out, and it it worth purfuing 
with vigor The Turns of money thrown into Batavia for anack and fugar have been imtnenfe. 
ftraiacd 
