<x\ MONTHLY. t» 
Vol. XIV.] 
COLOMBO, JUNE ist, 1895. 
[No. 12. 
ACCLIMATISATION OF PRODUCTS. 
(Being the substance of a Paper, read at the Imjieria' 
Institute, by Clements Makkham, Esq., c.b , v. .s , 
President of the Royal Geographical Society.) 
HE introduction of the cultivation of 
a valuable plant from one region into 
another with an analogous climate 
and habitat, is one of the most, 
important measures to which the 
administrators of India and of our 
Colonies can turn their attention. A great deal has 
been done in this direction with momentous results, 
from the earliest ages, but more especially since th e 
discovery of America. The main object of the present 
commuuicition is to draw attention to one particular 
product, namely, the coca leaf of South America, but 
before doing so, I think it will prove interesting to 
dwell briefly on the general subject of the introduction 
of valuable products from one region to another. 
Acclimatisation nf Plants.— This cultivation of exotic 
products is not only the wisest, but also the most 
ancient civilising administrative measure on record 
On the very earliest of the old Egyptian picture 
chronicles we see the civil sers coming from " Punt " 
(or Saba?) to Egypt with a plant of frankincenso 
in their beat, in what looks like an archaic AVardian 
case. The Romans undoubtedly did much good work 
of this kind ; Prince Henry the Navigator introduced 
the vino and the sugar cane into Madeira ; but the 
most oxtonsive and beneficent changes caused by 
such measures have followed upon the discovery of 
America. 
The l ire .stock received from Europe, and estab- 
lished in America, caused great changes in the 
domestic economy of the people, and as regards the 
horse, its introduction produced a revolution in the 
habits of the Indians in the southern parts of South 
America. Horses camo to South America with the 
Spaniards; cattle, asat s, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens 
and pigeons followed in a few years: and as early 
as 1650 there were bullock9 at the plough in the 
interior of Peru, 
The. Horse.— In 1520 Mendoza landed twenty horses 
at Buenos Ayres, and 50 years afterwards Sarmiento 
saw mounted Patagonians riding about on the shores 
of Magellan's Strait. In that short interval they 
had changed their whole maimer of life. Before the 
introduction of horses, ostriches and guanacos were 
stalked by stealth and attacked with flint-headed 
arrows. As soon as horses were introduced the prey 
was ridden down and caught with lasso and bolas. 
Wheat. — Almost equally remarkable was the change 
caused by the introduction into South America of 
vegetable products from the Old World. The first 
European lady who landed in Peru, Inex Munoz, 
wife of the half-brother of the conqueror, Pizarro, 
was also the first who cultivated wheat. She had 
received a barrel of rice in 1535, and was engaged 
in making a rice pudding for Pizarro himself when 
she found a few grains of wheat. She planted them 
in her garden with the greatest care, and all the 
grains of the first harvest were again sown. By 
this provident system the wheat multiplied rapidly. 
It became, and was for a long period, a very im- 
portant article of export to Chile, though of late 
years the tables have been turned, and Chile exports 
wheal to Peru. The cultivation of barley, oats and 
lucerne followed. 
Olive-Tine-Use of Wine. — Antonio de Ribera took 
a few young olive plants to Peru when he went 
out as Procurator in 15G0, aad planted tbem in his 
wife's garden, with slaves and dogs to guard them 
• day and night. Nevertheless, one was stolen and 
became tho parent of all the olive trees in Chile. 
Of those that remained only one became a tree, and 
was the parent of all the olives in Peru. The vine 
was introduced by one of the first conquerors, Fran- 
cisco de Caravnntes, who obtained plauts from tho 
Canary Islands, and the first vintage at Lima was 
in 1551. Before a century the wine-growing industry 
had become important, both wine and spirits being 
'argely exported. At first wine was very highly 
prized in South America and was seldom seen, even 
at the festive table. 
Sugar Cttne.— Vet/etahles.—SvigM- cane wai brought 
from Spain to Sau Domingo by a citizeu of tho 
