IV 
CLOVES 
191 
source of the largest part of the supply of cloves in 
the world, although its produce is the lowest priced 
of the three classes in commerce at the present day, 
viz. Penang, Amboyna, and Zanzibar. The cultivation 
attained its maximum before 1872, when its export was 
10,500,000 lbs. of cloves. In this year, however, a 
disastrous hurricane destroyed most of the trees in 
Zanzibar, but those of Pemba, situated on the west side 
of the island, were more protected and escaped better. 
The cultivation is chieHy in the hands of the Arabs. 
Zanzibar cloves are very dry, and larger and redder 
than Pemba cloves, hence they are known as “ Zanzibar 
red-heads.” The Pemba cloves are smaller and» blacker 
and less dry. They are disposed of as soon as possible, 
as otherwise the buyer has a loss in weight from drying. 
The Zanzibar cloves lose about 8 per cent in weight on 
the passage from Zanzibar to Europe. The local trade 
weight is the “ frasla,” equivalent to 35 lbs. 
The exports from Zanzibar in 1890 are given as 
124,929 fraslas, i.e, 4,372,515 lbs., and from Pemba 
385,981 fraslas, or 13,509,335 lbs., altogether nearly 
18,000,000 lbs. In 1891 Zanzibar produced 62,017 
fraslas (2,160,595 lbs.), and Pemba 326,986 (11,564,510 
lbs.). Besides the cloves, clove-stalks are shipped from 
Zanzibar in immense quantities. 
The cloves are shipped to Bombay, and also direct 
to Hamburg and the United States, and also, in less 
amount, to the Eed Sea ports. 
They are sold at about 9 dollars for 35 lbs., about 
6d. per lb. 
Mascarene Islands. — The cultivation in the 
Seychelles was practically abandoned in 1902 on 
account of the scarcity of labour and the irregularity 
of crops. 
In Keunion the tree was introduced in 1772 by 
Intendant Poivre, and cultivated well till a few years 
ago, but the produce was irregular in amount, and the 
frequency of destructive cyclones discouraged the 
planters. In 1820, 150,000 kilos (330,000 lbs.) were 
