SepoJ. 1, 1902,] 
THE TROPIQAL AGRICULTURISTi 
189 
PLANTAIN-MEAL. 
(To the Editor Madras Mail.) 
Sir, — The green plantain, as you know, per- 
haps, forms a large itenj in the diet of die Hindus. 
Drsssed, in various ways, ic is nod only palatable 
but highly nutriiiuus, in which respect it is only 
inferior, if it is inferior, to the potato. Of late a 
good deal of attention has been drawn to plan- 
tain meal, and I presume that my personal ex- 
perience in this respect may not be uninteresting. 
I use the meal a good deal in my family as a 
substitute for the Hours of pulses, which, chough 
possessing dietetic advantages, are not so digesti- 
ble as plantain-meal. The way to prepare it is this. 
Pare the plantains, taking care to remove only 
the skin ; then cut them into thin slices, which, 
after being dried in the sun for some days in 
boxes covered over with muslin, should be pounded 
tine in a mortar and the flour resulting be 
passed through a fine sieve, which will give a 
fine silky powder which should be put up in 
airtight tins or close-corked bottles to keep out 
the damp, to which it is extremely susceptible. 
My children aU thrive upon it, and an infant of 
delicate constitution became after a conjee made 
from it q[uite strong, gaining flesh rapidly. I 
think that in this meal is to be found a new 
industry which if worked with care and persistence, 
will yield considerable profit. There are all 
kinds of English foods in the market, but these 
being priced too high are beyond the reach of the 
poorer classes who would be glad of something 
neaily as good at a lower price. I throw out the 
hint, hoping to see it taken up by someone who 
cares to put his hand to a new venture. I am 
almost certain, judging from niy experience, that 
he will not repent it. 
V. KRISHNASWAMY MUDALIYAR. 
One of the latest Keports on Plantain Meal 
is that of M. de Jong, of Surabaya, Java. He 
states that it is impossible to find a market for it 
in Europe. A. big factory for making Plantain Meal 
according to the best methods was constructed in 
Java some years ago and recently went bankrupt. 
M. de Jong explains that very many attempts have 
been made to make a European market for Plan- 
tain Meal, especially as a food for infants ; but 
in vain. The explanation given is that Plantain 
Meal is too rich in starch, which cannot be easily 
digested by infants. Nor can plantains be ex- 
ploited for the starch ilself, he adds, because of 
its dirty grey colour, which no chemical can get 
rid of.— Aug. 2ud.— Ed. 
PIERMONT MORGAN'S STAR SAPPHIRE. 
LARGEST IN THE WORLD. 
Mr Piermont Morgan has sent to the American 
Museum of Natural History in New York a star 
sapphire which is believed to be the largest in the 
World, and a yellow sapphire which is regarded 
as the most beautiful in existence. These gems 
will be added to the collection of precious stones 
prsviously presented by Mr. Piermout Morgan to 
»he museum. This collection was shown at the 
last Paris Exhibition. — London Times, July 16. 
The " DjAGAGiRi " Cinchona Company, of 
Java, have declared a dividend of twelve per 
cent for 1901, thenetprofit being 33,53311 (about 
£2.800). The retirius; director, Mr J K de Jong, 
was unanimously re elected.— C7/i,e?nis< and Drug' 
gist, July 19. 
2i 
RUBBER ;-A CHOICE DESCRIPTION I 
The crude rubber, as shipped by the natives, is 
known commercially as "rubber hama," tho shape 
being almost identical with that of a good Yorkehii-e. 
Germany has commandeered nearly tho whole of the 
rubber business, and the big German companies 
control the shipment of rubber in ne u-ly every pact 
of the world. The first thing, when a rubber ham 
comes to a factory, is to split it open. Natives have 
a wily trick of "stuffing " the ham with stones or 
metal to increase its weight. A sea voyage causes 
the rubber to lose weight, and the man who deals 
in the raw material has to make good the loss 
resulting from exposure to air. After tho ham is cut 
and inspected, it is put into a crusher and ground 
out of all recognition. The next evolutionary stage 
is the washev, where all dirt, stray leaves, and impurity 
are cleaned out It emerges from the washer in 
knobby rouf^h sheets. The length of time it remains 
in the drying room depends entirely on the use to 
which it is to be put. '• Compounding " is the next 
■stage, sulphur beiug used to cure the rubber. 
Immense care and skill is necessary in the com- 
poumiiug of rubber for tyres. Pure rubber would 
tear into ribbons with the wear and tear of ihe roads. 
When the neoessaiy " compound " is decided upon, 
and the ingredients added, the whole is put in the 
mixing rolls. One roll runs quicker than the other, 
so that the twisting thus caused thoroughly mixes 
the compound with the rubber that is to form the 
tyre, — Motoring lllu tratecl. 
PLUMBAGO MINING IN KALUTARA 
DISTRICT. 
{From Administration Report for 1901.) 
The price of plumbago, which fell heavily early 
in 1900, remained low in 1901 but rose slightly 
towards the end of the year. Few pits were 
opened ; many were closed. In October only 36 
pits were being worked, as compared with 94 a 
year before. They were distributed as follows : — 
Pasdum Korale East 27, Pasdum Korale West 6, 
Rayigam Korale 3,— Total 36. Of this total 31 
are situated on land alienated by the Crown, 3 
on land leased by the Crown, and 2 on paraveni 
land. By the end of the year 14 out of the 27 
pits in Pasdun korale east had been closed. The 
number of mining declarations received at the 
Kacheheri fell from 204 in 1900 to 45 in 1901, of 
which 35 were for land in Pasdun korale ea^t. 
Messrs. Skrine & Co,, on behalf of Messrs. 
Reckitt & Sons, Limited, were working during the 
year the three mines situated on land leased by 
the Government, viz., Humbuluwa at Liniyawa 
and Kokkumbura and Nakaulketiya at Migaha- 
tenna. By the courtesy of Messrs. Skrine & Co. 
I am able to append the following observations 
made by Mr Gill, the Manager of the Mines, on 
their operations ; — 
The work of developing the mines has progressed 
steadily during the year, and satisfactory results have 
been obtained. No new shafts have been sunk, but 
those already in existence have been considerably 
deepened. The system of work carried on under the 
previous management has been abandoned, and all 
operations are carried on in accordance with modern 
European methods. The native workmen have, on the 
whole, taken Kindly to the system adopted, and a 
number of them are becoming expert in the English 
methods of sinking, driving, stopping, and timbering. 
The system of twelve hours' work instead of twenty- 
four introduced during the previous year has beeu 
adhered to, better work being got out of the men in 
the twelve hours' shift system. During the past 
few mouths, by the order of the directors, only 
ueoeasary work, swh as timbering, haa i^e^Q dQU^ 
