December i, 1881.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
489 
from the ordinary habit of the plant. When from 
one stem four racemes are thrown out, it is called 
by the natives the true or full crop ; if three only, 
three-quarter orop ; if two, half crop ; and if 
one only, quarter crop. One raceme will have from 
eight to fourteen branches, and each branch from 
three to six pedioels. When the plant is grown 
under tho most favourable conditions, these branches 
are grown cloBe together; when, however, the con. 
ditions are unfavourable, the racemes are long and 
weak, and the branches far apart. 
And on this Mr. Elliot remarks :— 
It seoms to me that one of the first things to be 
done towards improving cardamom cultivation is to 
propagate the variety which produces seeds on the 
upper part of the stem. It is obvious that the yield 
per acre can never be very great as long as we have to 
depend on tho ordinary way in which the plant bears ; 
but if we can procure plants which will bear above 
as well as below, the cultivation would at once be 
placed on a much more satisfactory footing. Another 
advantage will be that a portion of the seeds wouln 
not be so liable to the attacks of rats and vermid 
as they are at present. 
We had lately sent to us by a resident in of Matale 
a fine specimen of cardamom with the flower on the 
upper part of the stem. 
Although we think it well to make these quotations 
from Mr. Elliot's book to supplement the information 
already collated, yet it is evident that in India they 
are far beliind us in respect of the cultivation of 
cardamoms, since Mr. Ludlow states that only 28 lb. 
of crop can be regularly got from an acre I No doubt 
this was from tho spontaneous junglo growth, but unless 
Coorg planters can now multiply this return by nearly 
twenty, they had better come to Ceylon and see how 
A very important point to tho cultivator of this 
spice is the extent of the market available. It is but 
eful one, after all. In 
is universally used in 
ption is small, save in 
lost unlimited field for 
ut this refers to all 
n spice, though an extra 
India and tho East gonei 
cooking. In Europo the 
Turkey, where it is said 
consumption prevails. ' ft 
Muhammadan countries from Turkey to India, and i: 
is therefore pretty evident that the cardamom plantei 
in Ceylon need not bo afraid of tho price falling below 
his limit of profitable return for a good many years 
to come, even should cultivation extend to some thou 
sands of acres in Ceylon. 
THK I'llOGBESS OK ; CINCHONA CULTIVATION 
IN THE DISTRICTS OF MADULSIMA 
AND HEWA ELIYA. 
(By H. Cotta.m.) 
Rapid progress has been made in these far-off 
districts of the Central Province in the making of nur- 
sri i, .uid tho planting out of cinchona of every variety 
mtroduoed into Coylon from India and Java, from the 
famous hedgorianas ot Messrs. Morns and ( Jauimie do» n 
to the hardy succirubra Belf-sown amongst the coffee. 
No sooner docs tho visitor to Madulsimn arrive in 
the district than a tine growth of suocirubra may be 
seen kbove and below the road, filling up tho vacancies 
and checking wash 011 steep ridges, and ravines and form- 
ing quite a new feature 111 the appearance of Ainana- 
dowi estate, ihc t;r:uul entrance to Madulsuna. Officinalis 
123 
thrives well here, and Messrs. Cockburn and Bowie* 
successful planting of last season of both varietie 
are something to be proud of, especially the ten acr 
clearing of officinalis, without a failure and well-grown 
for its age. Above this model officinalis clearing, an 
extension is in course of preparation by Mr. Bowles 
for the coming season's planting, and large nurseries 
are ready with hardened plants of the same variety. 
We then enter Ahnie Mallie under an avenue of line 
grown succirubra trees measuring * about two feet 
in circumference and some of them 15 feet high, a 
magnificent growth and healthy trees. Passing 
more nurseries and fields of coffee planted up with 
both varieties, principally officinalis of last season, 
and a portion of Verelle Pattannie also dotted with 
cinchonas, Galoolla clearing is soon reached, an addition 
to 13 acres of cinchona succirubra, well spoken of as 
worth a visit. With the new clearing now being 
roaded and drained for cinchona, Galoolla will make 
a good show at some future time. 
Battawatte possesses a handsome succirubra clearing 
of -12 acres and Doomoo fine specimens of trees measur- 
ing between 20 and 23 inches of fine growth. Mr. 
Mason intends planting his already valuable estate 
with 100,000 cinchonas, and Battawatte a similar 
number amongst coffee. CoodaUova has made giant 
strides and was early in the field with sever. 1 good 
varieties. Of course, the whole of this estate will be 
planted, and the Company may be congratulated on 
possessing the services of an energetic, painstaking 
superintendent in Mr. Walter Stewart. 
A belt of jungle divides the above estate from Uva- 
kelle, and here may be seen a fine field of succirubra ; 
some of the oldest trees in the district, full grown 
and scattering seed broadcast. Some months ago, when 
I passed through this field, millions of seedlings were 
springing up under the trees, clearly proving the 
suitability of boih climate and soil for cinchona. On 
Uvakelle a small clearing is being lined and drained 
for the coming season This estate will probably be 
entirely planted, judging from the supply of plants 
in the nurseries and under the trees, though I have not 
seen the nurseries lately. Mahadova and Auckland con- 
tribute largely to the enterprise, both being included 
in the Cinchona Company, whose operations will presently 
be noticed, and full justice done. Auckland is well 
worth a visit — prettily situated as the estate is, with 
its park-like patana lands and clumps of jungle, fine 
climate, elevation, and beautiful views. The cinchona 
here is a great success and does Mr. H. C. Plumridge 
I considerable credit, considering that the estate was 
I not then part of the Company's property, and cin- 
chona culture in the district was in its infancy. 
Shawlands can show some of the best varieties doing 
well and planted in separate clearings : Ledgers, 
Emelina Calisaya, officinalis, pubescens, and rinc-grown 
succirubra trees in the old clearing, extensive nur- 
series of all varieties, and virgin soil to start their 
growth. Doonhoendekellie should grow good samples, 
the soil and climate being well suited to the rapid growth 
of many varieties of cinchona. Forest Hill grows succi- 
rubra well, and there is a clearing being got ready 
for the coming season. Yaphami or Yap. me estate 
has extensive nurseries, and lino old trees bearing 
seed of good quality. The whole of this estate will 
bo eventually planted up, as also tho other proper- 
ties of tho same proprietor in this district, Dorapotb* 
ami Quedgeley. So far, we have reviewed all the 
ostatos in upper Madulsima, all of whioh, without one 
exception, are pushing forward the cinchona enterprise, 
Banchory and Devenick included. 
Before we dive into statistics aud figures, from thousands 
to millions ( !), we will take a stroll through Hewa Kliya 
district. Passing the neat little hospital under tho inspec- 
tion of Dr. Chellappahfwho administers the precious l ark 
to fever-stricken patients, though they are comparatively 
