18 
SPICES 
CHAP. 
MANURE 
The different kinds of manure to be used are mentioned 
under the different spices. In the tropics cow-dung, 
where procurable, is generally considered the best general 
manure. Stable manure is too hot, and requires rotting 
for some years before it can be used. The planter, 
however, often has to depend upon the kind of 
manure procurable in his locality. In some places 
poonac and castor cake can be obtained ; in others 
cow -dung, rotten leaves, etc. have to be depended 
upon. Comparatively little has as yet been done in 
the tropics with chemical manures. 
“Burnt earth” is a most useful manure. The 
method of making and using it is described under 
Vanilla. The weeds and dead leaves, sticks, etc., found 
on the ground should never be entirely removed. It 
is usual in the case of weeds to dig pits in the ground 
between the trees and to put them in to rot, covering 
them with soil and pressing them down. They can 
also be decayed in piles or open pits and restored to 
the ground as a mulch. Manure should not be put 
close to the trunk of the tree, but should be placed at 
the point to which the farthermost leaves of the tree 
project, or in the middle line between two rows of 
trees, and equally distant from each. 
In manuring such plants as ginger, the manure 
added before planting should be well mixed with the 
soil, and not allowed to remain in lumps scattered 
through the beds. 
Liquid manure should not be applied to plants 
before four o'clock in the afternoon, or until the hot 
part of the day is passed, nor should plants be watered 
during the heat of the day. 
THE PRODUCE 
The planter should endeavour to turn out his 
produce in the most perfect condition possible, and no 
