G50 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE NUTMEG AND ITS CULTIVATION. 
is that of an homogeneous black paste. Equal parts of this substance 
and burned earth, such as already described, is the stuff to produce 
nutmegs, and he that uses most will get most. Slovenly cultivation 
is the most expensive in the end, and by far the least satisfactory. 
But although manuring is the chiefest element in successful cul¬ 
tivation, there are many other matters for the Planter to attend to 
during the period that his trees are growing. All bad grasses must 
be carefully kept out of the plantation, at least from between the trees, 
and the harmless grasses rather encouraged, as they keep the surface 
cool. I have seen the reflected rays of the sun from an uncovered 
whitish soil, regularly scorch up the leaves although the plant was 
Covered over on two sides and the top by the usual artificial shade. 
The trunk of the tree ought to be carefully washed with soap and 
water once a year to keep it clear of moss, this has been ridiculed 
as being a work of supererogation \—let those who think so, omit the 
operation. Parasitical plants of the genus Loranthus are very apt to 
attach themselves to the branches, and if not removed do great inju¬ 
ry, in fact if altogether unattended to, they will in time destroy the 
tree. The enemies of the Nutmeg tree are fortunately not numerous, 
but they have a few; white ants among the number. I know of no 
remedy for these but cleanly and good cultivation, they seldom if 
ever attack a vigorous plant; it is upon the first symptoms of decay 
that they commence their depredations,—their nests may surround a 
tree and their small tunnels pierce the earth in every direction about 
its roots without the plant giving any indications of decay, but 
whenever I have discovered them in such localities I have always 
endeavoured and often successfully, to dislodge them by a dose of a 
solution of pig dung, an article apparently not at all to their taste^ 
although fresh cow dung is a strong source of attraction, another 
reason to those I have already given for using this latter substance 
in a perfectly decomposed state when it can be well mixed up with 
the soil, and appears no longer to have an attraction for those des¬ 
tructive insects, which cannot be too jealously watched, for when once 
they attack a tree the ease is hopeless. The first notice a planter has 
is the withering of the leaves, and when lie comes to examine he ge¬ 
nerally finds it necessary to dig up and uproot the plant at once, 
rather than leave it as a nidus for those voracious depredators ; every 
planter must lay his account to losing occasional trees by them, but 
he who has his ground clearest and most free of old roots and stumps 
of trees will lose fewest. There are several species of insects which 
