818 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTUEIST. [June 1, lyOl. 
oranges, lemons, limes, loquata, guavas, peaohes, 
nectarines and figs, as also an avocada pear tree, al- 
though this latter is not in good health. Grevilleas, 
eucalypti, coniferse, ficus elastica and cotton trees 
(eriodendron) are all represented, and amongst these 
I noticed some rubber trees of about 15 to 20 feet high, 
which are probably hevea spruceana (Guiana rnbbtr), 
six of which were sent out by the Kew authorities 
in 1886. A fair amount of milk might be extracted 
from these, and the yield of rubber is good. Few 
rare or unknown introductions were noticable, nor 
did I meet with either ooooa or coca (eiyihroxylon.) 
The theobroma cacao at Mr. Moir's was next visited. 
Its general appearance is good : leaves large and a rich 
green, denoting active growth. It is in the form of a 
standard, branches commencing about 1^ feet from 
the ground. Side leader ahoots have evidently been 
made a year ago and grown about 2^ feet, after which 
the point has been nipped as if by drought. Side 
leader shoots are now growing strongly. The tree 
was flowering when I saw it and had one fruit set; 
the other flowers were nearly out. The situation is 
somewhat exposed to strong south-east winds and a 
grass wind-break has been erected recently, close 
by, for its protection. 
Eucalyptus trees are growing alongside it, and shield 
it from the morning sun, but it is otherwise exposed 
to the afternoon sun. Were it the reverse, I have no 
doubt but that it would be more U its advantage. 
As this tree is now over eighty years old, it may be 
considered to be a failure, as it has only grown some 
five or six feet in that time ; had it been in a more 
suitable and agreeable situation, I think it would 
have been a distinct success, and evidences may be 
adduced to show that cocoa cultivation may with 
confidence be taken up by the planting community. As 
the subject will form a special report, and be issued 
by this Department in connection with a recent 
treatise on cocoa, it is unnecessary for me to say 
anything more on it at present. 
Regarding the importation of seed and the diHicnlty 
of transporting it from home in a satisfactory con- 
dition for growing, steps will be taken by this De- 
partment to have a quantity sent out, packed in a 
special manner. When these seeds arrive and are 
established here, arrangements will be made for their 
distribution as H.M, CommllBioner may direct. 
Some fine specimens of e^phomandra hetacea, (tree 
tomato) were noticed, their clusters of fruit hanging 
in large numbers and evidently grown under the 
best conditions. Oranges, loquata, and lemons are 
abundant, and three mulberry trees seem to luxuriate 
in the rich black soil. 
Tea seems to do well here also. The bushes show 
good growth, and a very palatable tea is made entirely) 
by natives, who were, I understand, instructed by 
Mrs. Moir. Tea has been largely planted throughout 
the upper part of ttie estate and, were more atten- 
tion given to the preparation of the leaves, no doubt 
a tea of good class would be the result. 
The coffee, with the exception of a small patch on 
a little hillock, is not in bearing ; much of it has been 
cut back, and much more requires this same opera- 
tion. This operation, however, should be followed up 
by planting with young plants between the lines and 
removing the old roots after the crop is taken off. 
Since tea does so well, more attention should be 
given to this product at this plantation than coffee, 
for the soil being too much subjected to torrential 
rains gets vrashed away, leaving many of the coffee 
roots exposed, and, as a result, weakly coffee trees. 
Leaving Lauderdale and proceeding round the 
south eastern part of Mlanje, one passes over good 
roads where several streams are met with, bridged 
by wice-rope suspension bridges ; the country becomes 
densely wooded, and what might be considered ideal 
cacao land, temperature, rainfall and soil all being 
what is considered necessary for this product. 
Situated in the midst of this dense forest and well 
watered country is the Nyasaland Go's Luohenya 
coffee estate of about 6C0 acres. A small crop is on 
some of the trees, but it is doubtful if there will be 
a satisfactory crop, as weeds have sppaieLtlj got 
the upper band (owing to the scarcity of labour) from 
which condition there can be no doubt the coffee 
will severly sufier. 
Other estates in this neighbourhood are lookinR 
fairly satisfactory and, where the weeds have been 
kept in check, promise well. 
Mr. Brown's interesting estate at Thornwocd was 
next visited. On first looking at the coffee, it is diffi- 
cult to believe that such good re.sults could be 
arrived at from the dense shade under which the 
coffee is grown. Very few of the original forest 
trcus have been removed, and as the fuie^t is thick 
tne shade is dense. It is reniarkablo to fl. d, under 
these conditions in B. C. Africa, . c ff c trees of ihree 
years of age in such a proaiiaiug counition. 
The first blossom was, I am told, exceptionally line 
and set ivell but, doriug ihe dry stiirtcn of last 
year, following on the blossom, ttirips infeated the 
whole estate and almost destroyed what would have 
been a heavy crop. A curious instance of how ants 
have been of assistance in combating the tbrips, and 
saving parts of the estate from c'amage, occurs here. 
On several patches throughout the plantation are 
colonies of reddish-yellow autg, probably •' formica 
bispinosa, ' which live on the trees, making their 
nests by using some cotton-like materiiil with which 
they fix together several coffee leaves in the form of 
a cocoon. On these trees the,ants are numerous, 
and do not fail to attack any small iuGoits which 
come in their way. It was ev'deut they kept these 
trees clear of thrips and thereby faved part of the 
crop from the pest which infested the plantation 
and completely destroyed the crop on the trees where 
no ants existed. The soil at Tbomwood is deep, of a 
rich reddish chocolate colour, apparently suited to 
the cultivation of tea which is also grown here. 
There is about six acres under cultivation nnd doing 
well : the older bushes are vigorous and very promis- 
ing in appearance. Chillies are largely cultivated 
amongst the coSee and yield a good return, fetching 
frequently 40s. to 50s. and over, per cwt. 
Tobacco is being grown in considerable quantities 
for local and South African markets, where li.C.A. 
tobacco is in great demand. 
While going through the coffee gardens, I observed 
a few rusty spots on some of the leaves of a fungoid 
nature. 
Examination shows that it is black rot, known in 
India SbspeJlicularia Jcolerega. It is a fungus affecting 
the leaves superficially and may be easily rubbed 
off with the thumb, but although it may not cause 
much damage, still it would be advisable that a few 
boys should be given this work to do before it spreads 
much more. The end of the wet si'ason is approach- 
ing, and the time for fungus pests ;o disappear before 
the dry season, but attention should be given before 
it to be too late. It was only met with in a very 
few instiiuces. 
Mr. Bradshaw's L;ijeri estate of about 400 acres, 
compared with Thornwo&d, presents nn entirely differ- 
ent appearance. It is situated at an elevation of from 
2,809 to 3, 300 feet approximately, on the immediate 
slopes of south lillauje. It is sheltered by ridges of 
hills to the west, by the high peaks of Mlanje to the 
north and east, and open to the south only. The 
soil is of a very deep nature, easily penetrated by a 
stick for about four feet on any part and c >mpo8ed 
of rich vegetable moTild, and has undoubtedly accu- 
mulated for centuries past. 
Huge timber is met with all over the e=(;ate, and 
where cofTee has beesi planted nearly nil u'ees have 
been cleared away ; those that remain exhibit in- 
jurious effects on the coffee biiihes nni.ernealh, and 
it would certainly be bettter if they were all re- 
moved. I felt that, at tiis elevation, the atmos- 
phere was entirely different to that at Thornwocd, 
and had in it the " uip" which is felt when ont 
