April i, 1889.] 
THE. TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
711 
14th last he had stated that their estates, amounting 
to 100,000 acres, were far larger than they could 
cultivate with their own capital, and that he then and 
now recommended the forming of subsidiary companies 
as the best means of obtaining the necessary capital 
to develop them on a large scale. Out of the 100,000 
acres, they had two estates which had been proved 
by actual planting to be capable of growing tobacco 
equal to the best Sumatra. They therefore, 
were justified in asking people to subscribe capital 
for the purpose of developing these two estates on a 
large scale. One of the estates, as they were aware, 
had been formed into a company, under the title of 
the Suanlambah (Borneo) Tobacco Company (Limited), 
the capital of which had been over-subscribed. It 
was now proposed to deal with the Segaliud Estate 
in a similar way. In discussing the future prospects 
of the company, and comparing them with companies 
which have been in operation for some yeas in Sumatra, 
and who are paying heavy dividends of over 100 per 
cent., the Chairman said : We have to bear in mind 
that the question of tobacco cultivation is very little 
understood iu this country, aDd therefore its impor- 
tance is not appreciated as it should be by merchants 
here. The class of tobacco called wrappers has 
hitherto been almost a monopoly of the Dutch 
colony of Sumatra, and the Dutch have not only 
realised profits of 100 percent, on its cultivation, but 
have also developed a large and profitable business 
to their nierchauts in Holland hy the sale there of 
the tobacco so grown. Their land in Sumatra, how- 
ever, has become played out, and from lack of virgin 
soil the quality their tobacco is deteriorating while 
it has been proved that the virgin soil of British 
North Borneo produces a better quality of tobacco 
than if now produced by Sumatra, and that conse- 
quently it fetches a higher price. It is not surpris- 
ing, therefore, that the Dutoh should view the pos- 
sible destruction of their monopoly with the greatest 
alarm, and in order to avoid it have themselves com- 
menced planting in British North Borneo. Large 
numbers of Dutchmen have already gone to North 
Borneo. This is a very significant fact, and means 
that the Dutch anticipate that as soon as sufficient 
tobacco is produced by North Borneo it will not be 
worth while" cultivating their estates in Sumatra, 
which does not produce such a good quality. An- 
other consideration is that the working expenses 
in North Borneo are about 25 per cent less than in 
Sumatra. I think it is important that English mer- 
chants and capitalists should turn their attention to 
the matter, and see if they cannot follow the example 
of the Dutch by undertaking the cultivation of tobacco, 
so as to bring the market for that product to this 
country. The subject is, perhaps, worthy of the at- 
tention of the London Chamber of Commerce. 
The Chairman then formally moved the resolution, 
which was seconded by Mr. Travers, and carried un- 
animously. 
The proceedings theu terminated. — L. and G. Express, 
March 1st. 
A DELI PLANTER IN BRITISH NORTH 
BORNEO. 
The planter whose experiences in the territories 
of the British North Borneo Company are set forth 
in the Deli Courant thus sums up to his verdict 
on the evidence before him, so far as it bears upon 
•cultivation there. 
THE SOIL. 
The soil generally consists of white clay with 
an intermixture of humus in a thin layer above. 
On the shores of Marudu Bay and on the banks 
of the Sugut river, the soil is somewhat sandy 
and has need of irrigation. The planters on the 
spot deem that tin rainfa'l will meet requirements 
in ordinary years. The Deli planters who have 
seen the country for themselves generally think 
highly of the soil. The ground is less heavily 
timhi red than in Deli. Building material* abound 
on all sides. Where timber fit for posts happens 
to be scarce, the "Nibong" may be had in any 
quantity. Nipa for thatch is everywhere available. 
CLIMATIC ADVANTAGES. 
Notwithstanding the fact that, on many estates, 
the mortality has been enormously high, the climate 
is as healthy as in Deli, if not more so. The 
tobacco grown, which so far, has been brought 
to market only in small quantities, seems to suit 
admirably the wants of customers, in Europe. 
This is said to be especially the case with the 
Suan-Lamba tobacco. The only uncertain element 
to be reckoned with in planting adventure arises 
from the little knowledge of how the monsoon sets, 
and how it stands with the rainfall. 
LABOUR. 
Another element of difficulty lies in the coolies 
question. Chinese labour may easily be counted 
upon. In securing it from China or Singapore, 
the difficulties are hardly any greater that those 
met with in Deli. There, is, however, greater 
risk of Singapore coolies absconding, especially 
at Labuan. The greatest hindrances lie in the 
way of finding suitable native coolies. It is well 
known what bad characters Singapore, Javanese 
and Malays usually turn out to be. Owing to 
direct coolie immigration from Java being im- 
practicable under existing conditions the refuse of 
China and the Straits will long find a ready market 
for their labour in Borneo. The Kadyans, a tribe 
from Brunei territory, and some Brunei Malays 
settled in Labuan, are preferable to them in every 
way. The latter seldom enter into contracts for 
more than 6 or 8 months in duration. They get 
8 to 1) dollars per month, and work sometimes 
only eight hours a day. Years will have to pass 
away before the native population of north Borneo 
will feel any inclination to labour on the estates. 
What has been done in this respect by the 
Acting Resident on the West Coast calls for the 
warmest thanks of planters. The sudden extension 
of planting enterprise has resulted in a heavy 
demand for coolies, who prove hard to get, even 
with the utmost efforts to secure success. There 
are not even men in the land able to make 
thatch from the nipa palm,* which abounds in the 
country. As may readily be imagined, the position 
of the pioneer planters has been greatly affected 
for the worse by these difficulties, and by the 
great distances to be traversed at sea, &c. 
COFFEE. 
We will now glance at the prospects of coffee 
cultivation. The hills suitable for cultivating are 
not high enough, and have too hot a climate 
to agree with Java coffee. Even, however, if coffee 
did grow luxuriantly, there are no men to gather 
in the crop. In the eastern districts, the country 
has hardly any inhabitants. The people on the 
north coast are either too shy or too hostile towards 
Europeans to be at all helpful in the next few 
yearB. The other planters cannot naturally spare 
their own coolies, not for a day even. The chances are 
that most of the coffee crop will remain unplucked. 
It is only in Marudu Bay that the co-operation 
of the people may in some dpgree be reckoned upon. 
OTHER ARTICLES. 
Sugar and pepper have been experimented with, 
but no sensible planter will as yet begin w'th 
them as a mainstay. These articles cannot, at 
present be grown there on a scale to pay expenses. 
Gambier, hemp, and other produce articles have 
* This in what is o&lleil the ' water coconut ' in 
Ceylon. It is curious that, while it is so largely utilized 
iu the Eastern Archipolago us a superior thateU, it 
seems to be turned to no useful purpos? iu Oeylon. 
—Ed. 
