262 
SPICES 
CHAP. 
are first sown with rice. When this is done the pepper 
plants are planted close to strong cuttings of a rough- 
barked, quick-growing tree. In the first half-year the 
rice gives the necessary shade, and when it is cut the 
shade trees are more developed and effective and grow 
better every day. At the commencement of the second 
rainy season, after the first planting, the pepper plants are 
bent down and their tips put in the ground so that only 
the arch of the stem is visible. The buried tip emits 
roots, so that the feeding organs of the plant are doubled. 
From the arch three or four strong shoots spring, which 
grow so fast that as a rule the plants fruit in the next 
year. 
Supports. — These may be young trees, or stout 
stakes of timber. They must be ready by the time 
the cuttings are planted out, so that the plants may 
be able to climb at once. 
Of living trees a considerable variety have been 
recommended, among which are such plants as the Jack 
{^Artocarpus integrifolia) and Mango {Mangifera 
indica). These are planted from seed or seedlings and 
are said to have proved satisfactory in some localities, 
but the slow growth of these trees is very much, in 
their disfavour, and they are not to be recommended. 
The Erythrinas are very much more suitable, as they 
can be grown from large-sized cuttings, and there is no 
delay while the supports are growing. The best kinds 
are Eryihrina lithosperma and E. stricta. The short 
bushy species, E. crista-galli, etc., should be avoided 
as they do not make straight regular stems. Straight 
boughs about 2 in. through and from 6 to 12 ft. tall 
are cut and planted in situ, about 6 ft. apart. They 
commence growing at once, throwing out shoots from 
the top. Side shoots, when they appear, are cut off so 
that the stem to which the pepper is to cling is straight 
and regular, while the foliage at the top gives a certain 
amount of light shade. These trees are generally used 
by the Achinese, who are very good pepper-cultivators. 
Other trees which grow readily and straight from 
