53 
CULTIVATION OF NUTMEGS AND CLOVES IN BENCOOLEN. 
year, require a more stimulating nutriment ; the dung ought not, 
therefore, to be more than two or three months old, and the mix- 
ture should consist of two parts of it to one of burnt earth, of 
which the suitable proportion will be from twelve to sixteen bas- 
kets to each tree biennially. In all cases the prepared compost 
must be spread out in the sun for three or four days previous to 
its application, in order to destroy grubs and worms that may have 
lodged in it, and which might injure the roots of the plants. 
In all plantations, whether situated in forest land or in the 
plains, the necessity of manuring at stated intervals has been found 
indispensable, and is indeed identified w T ith their prosperity. The 
proper mode of applying it is in a circular furrow in immediate 
contact with the extremities of the fibrous roots, which may be 
called the absorbents of the plant. Where there is a scarcity of 
dung, recourse may be had to the dregs remaining after the prepa- 
ration of the oil from the fruit of the Arachis Hypogaea, which, in 
mixture with burnt earth, is a very stimulating manure; or com- 
posts may be formed from the decomposition of leaves or vege- 
table matter of any description. A very fertilizing and highly 
animalized liquid nutriment for plants, is obtained by maeerating 
human ordure in water in proper pits tor four or five months, and 
applying the fluid to the radical absorbents of the plants. Sea- 
weed and many other articles may also be resorted to, which 
will readily occur to the intelligent agriculturist. 
During the progressive growth of the plantation, the beds of the 
trees are to be regularly weeded and the roots kept properly co- 
vered with the mould, for these have a constant tendency to seek 
the surface ; the growth of the lateral branches alone is to be en- 
couraged, and all suckers, or dead or unproductive branches, are 
to be removed by the pruning knife, so as to thin the trees con- 
siderably and to admit of the descent of the night dews, which are 
greatly contributive to their well being, especially during the dry 
and sultry weather ; creepers are to be dislodged, and the lower 
verticels lopped off, with the view of establishing an unimpeded 
circulation of air. The conclusion of the great annual harvest is 
the fittest time for pruning the trees. After the eradication of 
the lallang, the growth of innoxious grasses is to be encouraged 
in the intervals between the trees, which will give the plantation 
the appearance of a park, and the plough is now to be abandoned. 
