December i, 1889.] 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
433 
boat ; Cf) the cutting of certain valuable trees that are 
becoming scarce, to be specified After careful examina- 
tion, to be entirely prohibited for a number of years; 
(g) the protection of getah trees, rotans, and other minor 
products, should receive attention, and artificial repro- 
duction resorted to, if necessary, though immediate 
protective measures will probably render this unneces- 
sary except in the case of very scarce and valuable troes, 
&c. ; separate rei-erves for firewo d should be estab- 
lished on the banks of the rivers, where the vegetation 
is principally bakau. 
11. The need of a small protective staff in order to 
check the illicit removal of timber, &o., is already felt 
by the District Officer, and the system I have ventured 
to suggest cannot be carried out without the assistance 
of intelligent men. 
12. The object should not be to obtain the greatest 
possible immediate revenue, but to bring the forests into 
the condition in which tbey will produce the best kinds 
of timbers, and prove a permanent source of wealth. 
0. Curtis, 
Assistant Superintendent of Forests, Pending. 
Appendix D. 
Penawg, 31st January, 1889. 
Sir, — I have the honour to report, for the informa- 
tion of His Excellency the Governor, that, in ac- 
cordance with instructions, I proceeded to the Dind- 
ings on January 19tb, taking with me a case of eco- 
nomic plants in pots, the weather being too dry at 
the time for lifting plants from the open ground. 
2. During six days I travelled over as much of the 
District as was possible without the aid of a steam- 
launch, which was unfortunately in dock, and examined 
the state of agriculture and nature of the soil. 
3. With the exception of Lumut Estate, on which 
tapioca and sugar are grown, the principal cultivated 
products appear to be coco-nuts aud patcbouly, both 
of which give a good return. The tapioca crop is 
looking well, and the machinery for manufacturing 
flour will be erected shortly. 
4. Pepper is being tried on a small scale in three or 
four different parts of the District, and grows well, 
especially near the District Officer's house at Pangkor, 
but the proper method of cultivation is not understood 
by the owners. The plants have been allowed to 
grow up to the tops of the supports, instead of being 
layered as is done by the Achinese planters in Pro- 
vince Wellesley. I explained to them practically, by 
treating plants in their presence, that when a pepper 
plant begins to branch it should betaken down from 
its support, the lower leaves removed, and the stem 
up to the junction of the branches la3'ered down in 
a previously prepared hole as near the support as 
is consistent with the safety of its roots, and the soil 
then replaced. Treated in this manner, roots are 
emitted along the whole length of the stem that has 
been buried, the plant is better able to withstand 
drought, and fruit is produced from near the ground 
up to any height that may be desired.* 
5. At Raja Itam, which was reached by walking for 
five or six miles along the boundary line that divides 
the Dindings from Perak, I saw near a native house 
a plant of China grass {Rhea or Ramie) which has 
attracted considerable attention of late on account of 
its valuable fibre. The owner of the garden stated 
that he was iu the habit of cutting it down for the 
manuficture of fishing lines about once a month. At 
the time I saw it the shoots were four or five feet 
high, and as clean as could be desired. The soil at 
this place is a peculiar clayey loam of a light colour. 
6. There are a variety of soils in the District, some 
of which would produce cloves, nutmegs, pepper, 
Liberian coffee, chocolate, indigo,-coco-nuts, paddy, &c. 
7. In order to encourage the cultivation of ecouomic 
products other than those mentioned in para. 8, which 
are already established, especially pepper, coffee, cloves 
and nutmegs, I would suggest the formation of a 
small nursery in Pangkor, of about an acre in extent, 
where plants could be raised or planted temporarily 
* N.B.-ED.-r. A. 
56 
on their arrival from Penang or Singapore, previous 
to distribution to intelligent natives willing to give 
them a fair trial. 
8. Aft9r careful examination, in company with the 
District Officei-, we cime to the conclusion that the 
most suitable placa for this purpose would be a piece 
of land near the Recreation Ground, which combines 
the advantages of fairly go id land with an abundant 
water supply, and is sufficiently near the District 
Officer's quarters to allow of his personal supervision. 
9. This land would have to be cleared and fenced 
to keep out animals, and a small house put up to 
accommodate two g*r leners, who would be sufficient 
to carry on the work when it is fairly started. 
10. The cost of clearing, fencing and stocking this 
nursery, including young plants of cloves, nutmegs 
aud pepper to be purchased this year, need not exceed 
$500, and the other up-keep would be the salaries 
of two Javanese at about $18 per mensem. 
I discussed the matter thoroughly with Mr. Mere- 
wether, who takes an intense interest in the matter, 
and one of the first things done would be to raise 
a quantity of dadap and pepper plants for distribution, 
a supply of seeds of the former being available on 
the spot. 
11. There is regular communication between Penang 
and Pangkor, and seeds are easily transmitted, and 
an Officer of this Depaitment could occasionally run 
down for a day or two to give practical instruction. 
At present there is no accommodation for visitors 
to the District, which doubtless prevents many persons, 
who would otherwise do so, from spending a day or 
two on the Island, and judging for themselves of the 
capability of the soil, &c. 1 understand, however 
from the District Officer, that it is intended to erect 
a Rest-house on the beach which will be a great con- 
venience. 
12. It should be borne in mind that, while there is 
great need for developing the agricultural capabilities 
of the Dindings, the Government possess in the ex- 
isting forests a most valuable crop, which in some 
parts of the District, considering the nature of the 
soil, quality of ihe timber and the facility with which 
it can be brought to market, is, if carefully conserved 
and economically worked, probably of greater value 
than anything that cm be planted, besides the advan- 
tages of having a fair proportion of forest land as 
regards its bearing on climatic changes. 
13. These areas should be settled in good time, and 
their extent and position shown in the map when the 
contemplated survey of the District is undertaken, 
C. Curtis, 
Assistant Superintendent of Forests, -Penang, 
Annual Report on the Forests of Malacca, for 
the Year 1888. 
1. The work of the early part of the year was 
carried out by Mr. Flanagan, but on my return from 
duty in Singapore, in the middle of Ap il, Mr. Flanagan 
was transferred to the same Settlement. 
Forest Reserves. 
2. The work of the year has consisted chiefly of 
maintenance. In some districts, small nurseries are 
being established for raising seedlings of the best 
kinds of forest trees for planting up waste lands 
within the reserves. 
3. Much difficulty has occured in keeping the 
forest watchmen from frequently absenting themselves 
from their station ; this is owing to their quarters 
not being large enough for them and their families. 
Quarters similar to the Police barracks are what 
are required. 
4. During the year, one Corporal of forest watch- 
men has died, and one has resigned. 
5. It is satisfactory to note that no fires have 
occurred within the reserves during the year. 
6. In Appendix A is a, list of prosecutions for 
illicit wood-cutting detected by the forest watchmen. 
7. The following general notes are made with re- 
ference to the forest reserves 
Bukit Bruang Reserve. 
8. Six miles from Malacca, situated between the 
distnoto of Batu Berendan and Dorian Tuuggal, ha* 
