208 
SPICES 
CHAP. 
Honourable East India Company possessed the monopoly 
of cinnamon till 1833. When the monopoly was 
abolished and the Government ceased to be the sole 
exporters, the trade passed into the hands of the 
merchants of Ceylon. There was, however, so large an 
export duty, viz. from one-third to a half of the value, 
that the cultivation began to fall off, especially as it 
had to compete with cinnamon raised in Java and 
cassia from China. This duty was removed in 1853. 
The cultivation of the plant was introduced into 
Java by the Dutch in 1825. 
NAMES OF CINNAMON 
The oldest name for the spice seems to be the Greek 
/uvvdfMco/jLov ; Chinese, Tienchu Kwei {Kwei, cassia ; lit. 
Indian cassia) ; Persian, Arabic, Darchini (China bark), 
also Hindustani ; Malay, Kayu Manis, from which 
Garcia derives the word Cassia ; Arabic, Querfaa or 
Querfe (Garcia) ; Singhalese, Cuurdo (Garcia), Kur- 
undo ; Malabar, Cameaa ; Tamil, Karruwa jputtay ; 
Telugu, Sanalinga putta ; Dutch, Caneel ; Portuguese, 
Canela ; French, Cannelle ; German, Kaneel. 
CULTIVATION 
Soil. — A rather elevated situation is most favourable 
to the cultivation of cinnamon, and a sandy loam 
mixed with decayed vegetable matter is recommended 
as that in which it flourishes best. Like many other 
cultivated plants, it is reported to grow best near 
houses. This is doubtless due to the waste and refuse 
thrown out from the houses acting as manure to the 
the Straits Settlements the plant seems to grow 
readily and well in most soils, not too wet, even 
flourishing in stiff and inferior clay ; red and dark 
brown lateritic soils, so long as the ground is not rocky 
or full of stones, has proved quite satisfactory. 
plant. 
In 
