SOME ACCOUNT OP THE NUT»IEG AN1> ITS CULTIVATION. tiff] 
table not over fifty are of the old stock, most having 1 been planted 
since 1836, so that a Planter may safely calculate on having a better 
average than is here set forth, provided he attends to his cultivation 
and his trees are brought up to the age of 15 years. If a plantation 
be attended to from the commencement, after the manner I have en¬ 
deavoured to explain, and the trees be in a good locality, the Planter 
will undoutedly obtain an average of 10 lbs. of spice from each tree 
from the 15th year. This at an average price of 2s. 6d. per lb. is 25 
shillings per annum. He can have about 70 such trees in an acre, 
so that there is scarcely any better or more remunerative cultivation 
when once established, but the race is a long one, the chances of 
life, a high rate ot interest in this country make it one of no ordina¬ 
ry risk, and it is one that holds out no prospect of any return in less 
than 10 years. A person commencing and stopping short of the bear¬ 
ing point either by death or want of funds will suffer almost total 
loss, for the value of such a property brought into a market where 
there are no buyers must be merely nominal. Again if the property 
has arrived at the paying point, almost any person of common ho¬ 
nesty can take charge of and carry it on, for the trees after 12 years 
are remarkably hardy and bear a deal of ill treatment and neglect; 
not that I would recommend any person to try the experiment, but 
it is some consolation for the Proprietor to know that stupidity will 
not ruin him, and that even at the distance of thousands of miles he 
can give such directions as, if attended to, will keep his estate in a 
flourishing and fruitful state. 
I have now set the pros and cons of nutmeg cultivation before 
the reader. Should he like to try the experiment there is ample scope 
and verge enough for him in Singapore. He need not be afraid of fai¬ 
lure if he proceeds with energy and perseverance. The cultivation, as 
will he seen by the appended tables, is rapidly extending, and I fear 
the prices are falling. Should the Moluccas be thrown open I cannot 
answer for how much greater may be the depreciation in value, but 
a produce that requires 15 years to bring it to market in remune¬ 
rative abundance is not so easily overdone. The tree is not more 
quickly productive in the Island of Banda than in the Straits, and, 
as I have before said, neither do they excel us in relative quantity or 
quality. Those who have established plantations may laugh at the 
bugbear of over production and rest content even with some further 
reduction in prices. 
The consumption is increasing and likely to increase in the Uni- 
Q 2 
