20 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [July i, 1889. 
coffee trees and weeds, &c., the Mirjager, Mr. Thomas 
Fraser, deducts 25 per cent from total area, leaving 
53 acres in coffee. This allowance is not over the 
mark, as Sir Graeme Elpbiustoae estimates the vacan- 
cies alone in certain fields at 40 per cent. 
Take, then, 5,919 bushels parchment coffee as the 
yield of 53 acres for four seasons. This gives an aver- 
age of 1,480 bushels coffee for one season, equsl to 
moro than 5J cwts, per acre per season. Be it noted 
that present season's crop is best of all, and is equal 
to 7§ cwts. per acre, this off coffee which in Ceylon, 
if subjected to same rough treatment, would have been 
one mass of leaf disease and dead sticks. 
The actual acreage of this promising estate is — 
Acres. Roods. Poles. 
Old coffee 70 1 35 
New clearing planted ... 53 0 3 
Ready for planting 1889 102 2 2 
Total aorea... 226 0 0 
With prices for coffee at present high rates it does not 
require much calculation to prove that the old coffee is 
a remunerative investment, will materially aid in open- 
ing up and bringing new clearings into bearing, and, 
what is of very great importance to the country, en- 
courage the lessees to go on and others to follow their 
example. 
KAMUNING ESTATE. 
The land for this estate has been carefully selected. 
The average soil of this country is naturally fertile : 
a fine deep loam, with limestone to quicken it, the soil 
becomes perfect for coffee. Kamuning is easy of ac- 
cess ; in fact, it is a large tract of fine land unbroken 
by native claims, with Gjverumeut cart road running 
through it right to the present railway terminus, a 
distance of 35 miles. 
It is difficult to imagine a place starting under more 
favourable auspices. Under the management of Mr. 
Charles Wight, the undertaking will prove a credit 
to the country, and profitable to the fortunate pro- 
prietors. 
The manager divides the clearing iuto four fields — 
Number 1 containing .. ... ...acres 80 
Do 2 do ... ... ... do 60 
Do 3 do .. .. ... do 70 
Do 4 do .. .. ... do 30 
Total acres.. .240 
Of this 160 acres were pi inted with Liberian coffee 
in N.E. monsoon 
12 acres were planted with Pepper coffee 
in N. B. monsoon. 
172 acres planted. 
68 „ ready for planting. 
Total 240 acres, 
It is proposed to plant 30 acres of this clearing with 
pepper, the balance with Ltberian coffee, interspersed 
with durian trees. One h id to see the luxuriant growth 
of plants in the nursey only to augur most favour- 
ably of their future in the field. Everything has been 
done that planting experience and the ingenuity of 
man can devise to give the plauts a fair start. The 
abundant rainfall on Kamuning is an element towards 
success, which must not be overlooked. Even sun-loving 
plants like Liberian coffee and pepper might have too 
much of the tropical sun pouring its fierce rays 
down on a black soil, rich in lime, were it not for the 
refreshing rains which fall frequently and freely, 
cooling and enriching the soil, and reanimating scorched 
vegetation. I very much regret I had no opportunity 
of visiting either Gula or Trong Estates, to say nothing 
of experimental gardens, chiefly in pepper, undertaken 
by Government in different localities. 
* * * * 
GOVERNMENT 1'LANTATIONB. 
The commencement of tea manufacture was the most 
important feature of the year's work. We began mak- 
ing tea 14th February, and by tbe end of your had 
wade 3,114 1b. against a revised estimate of 3,000 1b. 
Every one interested — Ilia Excellency the Governor, 
the Hon. the Actiog Colonial Secretary, the Hon. the 
Acting Resident Councillor, Peoang, &c, has bad 
an opportunity of trying the tea. Samples have been 
sent to London and Ceylon, and have been favour- 
ably reported on. Every effort has been made to 
encourage local sale by advertising in Gazette and 
Singapore papers, by establishing agents in Singapore 
and Peuang, and by distribution of samples, with 
poor results. This, though to be deplorerl, is not 
much to be wondered at, as Ceylon tea has deservedly 
a firm hold of the market, a position from which it 
would be difficult to oust it. The object Government 
had in view in planting tea has been attained; now 
what Government has to do is to make it widely known. 
The best way of accomplishing this is to put Perak 
tea on the lists in "the lane" along with tea from 
other countries. 
Coffee most disappointing last year, nor, though in 
good condition and wonderfully free from leaf dis- 
ease, does it promise to give a good yield this year. 
The soil is good ; even on the top of the mountain, 
where trig station is, there is over eight feet of mar- 
vellously fine soil ; the seasons and climate are ruit- 
able for coffee, the trees are well-planted, in good 
holes, and well-grown. The situatiou is against cjffee. 
Coffee likes to nestle in the bosom of a mountain, 
with forest-clad summits towering above it. Coffee 
land should be drained from the very first to prevent 
wash, and save the precious salts deposited in the 
burning off of the forest. Coffee, more especially in 
steep laud, should be kept free of weeds, to avoid 
disturbance of the soil in their removal. Though the 
yield of coffee leaves much to be desired, the quality 
is excellent, witness the sale in " the lane," 18th May 
1887, of 41 bags, 1 packet averaging 101s 61 per cwt. 
The parcel sold last year was small, and failed to 
command the attention of the market. 
The cattle on Government Plantations are very fine, 
the herd containing as it does the best strains of 
Alderney, Nellore, and Madras blood. The grassfields, 
when complete, will be of the greatest use and im- 
portance in affording suitable pasture for the herd, 
an 1 enabling us to go on with breeding and cross- 
broediug, thereby raising the standard of the cattle 
of the country, which is at present very low. Much 
money is spent by proprietors at home with this 
object, where the necessity is not so great as here 
and surely the Government of this country stands 
as proprietor of the country and guardian of the 
people. * * * 
The health of coolies in Government Plantations 
throughout the year has been excellent. Percentage 
of death, 1-49. Average number of sick coolies per 
day, '018. 
Pepper cultivation promises to become a favourite 
and remunerative enterprise amongst natives and 
others in the country, and is worthy of every en- 
couragement. 
The small experimental garden at Gunong Pondok 
has been a school of instruction to Malays, who 
take a great interest in the work carried on 
there, and I look forward to having small gardens, 
varying from 2 to 30 acres, on both sides of tbe 
cart-road from Gapis to Kwala Kangsa. As in- 
dustry increases, wealth grows, and with it popula- 
tion. It will take an effort to stir the Malays from 
their present lazy contentment, to make them am- 
bitious, and give them a desire for wealth, but there 
are indications that the spirit which inspired them to 
invada this country is not de t id, but may be roused to 
preaceful industry and us fhl arts. Chinese have been 
making enquiries of me about land for pepper and 
Liberian coffee. The Hindoo, at present centred in 
the towns, if properly led and looked after, will carry 
his tom-tom, his wife and family, with their intermin- 
able bickering and quarrels, into the country, and 
till the soil, as his ancestors have done for countless 
ages in India, in land more favoured by nature than 
the parched plains of his native country. — I have, &c,, 
John F. M. Cock, Jun., 
Superintendent, Government Plantations. 
NOTES. 
Mr. H. MulinghauS, Manager of the Straits Trad- 
ing Company, Limited, has opened a branch house in 
