cultivation. As an example of troubles that might threaten its 
success, I would mention that from personal observation I am in- 
clined to believe that Kala-kala is particularly liable to damage 
from weevils. The separation of the cotton from the seed cannot 
in such cases be done by gins and the cost of manual separation 
would add enormously to the cost of production. 1 here may also 
be — and in fact there probably are— other difficulties which cannot 
now be foreseen. As an example of difficulties that are practically 
impossible to foretell, I would mention that the one, so far, un- 
surmountable obstacle to the success of the ramie trade is the fact 
that the fibre is too long. To say of a fibre that it is too long is 
tantamount to saying it is too good. 
17. If, however, 1 have made out a case for supposing it would 
he worth the while of Government to consider this matter seriously 
I would urge that with a view to its doing so, a small Committee, 
chiefly composed of planters, should be requested to visit Java and 
observe and record such practical results in regard to cotton culti- 
vation as they consider noteworthy. If the report of such a Com- 
mittee was favourable, the cultivation of cotton as a “ catch-crop/’ 
or otherwise, should, I think, be encouraged by Government. 
1 8. Such a Committee should, I would suggest, also try to 
arrive at some arrangement by which Javanese emigration to the 
Federated Malay States might be encouraged. The over-population 
of Java is yearly causing greater concern to the Government of 
that Island and for many years every encouragement has been 
offered to labourers to leave Java for Dutch possessions, which are 
much in want of coolies. But there is, I understand, a strong feeling 
among the Javanese against emigrating to Sumatra and Borneo. 
It would seem that the same objection does not exist to coming to 
the Federated Malay States, and if it is demonstrated to the Gov- 
ernment of Java — as I believe it would be possible to do — that 
Javanese emigrants do not generally become permanent settlers 
here, it might be possible for us to come to some agreement with 
with the Dutch Colonial Government that would be mutually ad- 
vantageous. 
I have the honour to be, 
Sir, 
Your obedient Servant, 
A. S. BAXENDALE. 
The Federal Secretary, 
Federated Malay States . 
COFFEE. 
It is sometimes suggested that Indian coffee planters might 
follow to their own advantage the example of tea-planters by en- 
deavouring to push their coffee as a specialty on the market here. 
While it may be doubted if the result would have justified the 
considerable outlay necessary to do this on a large scale, there is 
