Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1851-10-18
CHE polpnesian.
COFFEE PLANTING IN CEYLoN.

OF the Seolookande Coffee Estate, l felt
strong desire toward the end of the year 1876
TO pay second visit, while in its full yigor
D l wished to satisfy myself as to the correct
ness OF the many reports l had heard of it,
heavy crops, of its fine condition, its excellen
works, and, not least, of the good manage
ment during crop-time. My old acquaintanc.
was no longer in charge; he had been sup
planted by stranger. However l wen
armed with letter from the Colombo agent:
which would insure more attention than 3
bed and meal.
Ijourneyed this time by another and rathe,
shorter route. Instead Of taking the MatelIe
road, l struck off to the right, past Davy's
Tree, celebrated as the scene of the massa.
ere of a large body of British officers and
troops by the villa Ganga, at Davy's Ferry
made the best of my way across the beautiful
I vale OF Dombera, and thence toward the long
range OF mountains forming one flank of the
Kall'bokke Valley. At the period of my for
mer excursion this long tract of fertile coun-
try was one unbroken mass of heavy Jungle;
now dozen large estates, with bungalows
and extensive works, were to be seen, emil
venlng the journey, and afording a much
reader passage for the horseman for where
ever plantations are formed, good Jungle
paths are sure to be made. The ride was
most interesting one mile upon mile of
coffee lay before and around me, in various
stages of growth, from the young seeding
Just put out, to the full-bearing bush, as
heavily laden with red, ripe coffee berries as
any currant-bush in England with its fruit.
! 1t was then the middle of November, and
the very height Of the planters harvest. All
srnearcd busy as ! rode along, gathering on
the ola properties; wedding and 'supplying, "
or filling up failures on the young estates. l
halted but once for cup afgood, wholesome
coffee, and gladly pushed en-, so as to reach
my destination in good time for breakfast.
The many lovely prospects opening before
me caused some little delay in admiration /;
and by the time had ridden through the last
piece Of jungle, and pulled up at the upper
boundary of "Soolookande, it was not far
from midday. The sun was blazing high
above me. but its rays were tempered by
cool breeze that swept over from the neigh
boring mountain-tops. The prospect from
that lofty eminence was lovely in the extreme:
steep ridges of coffee extended in all direc-
tions, bounded by piles of messy forest white
spots, here and there, told of bungalows and
stores; tiny cataract rushed down some
cleft rock, on one side on the other, rip
ping stream ran gentle along, thickly stud
ded with water-cresses. Before me, in the
far distance, lay outstretched, like a picture
scroll, the Matelle district, with its paddy
fields, its villages, and its Vihares, skirted by
a ridge of mountains and terminated by the
Cave Rocks Of Dambool. At my feet. far be-
low, lay the estate, bungalow, and works,
and to them bent my way by narrow and
very steep bridlepath. So precpitous was
the land jus: here, that / felt rather nervous
on looking down at the white buildings. The
pathway, for great length, was bordered by
rose-bushes, or trees, in fullest blossom, per-
fumng the air most fragrantly: as l ap-
preached the bungalow, other Towering
shrubs and plants were mingled with them,
and in such excellent order was every thing
there that the place appeared to me more
like magnfed garden than an estate. How
changed since my former visit l could
scarcely recognize il as the same property
The bungalow was an imposing-looking build
ing, the very picture of neatness and COM
fort. How different to the old talipot-leaf,
and the dirty little mud hut The box of
place had slept in six years before would
have stood, easily, on the dining table in this
bungalow. A wide verandah surrounded the
building, the white pillars of which were pol
ished like marble. The windows we're more
like doors and, as for the doors, one may
speak of them as lawyers do Of Acts Of Par
Lament, it would be easy to drive coach
and-six through them.
The superintendent was a gentlemanly per-
son, and so was his Bengalee servant. The
Ill; bsc, Lo, L.
deliciously cool. The chairs we're like sofas,
and so exquisitely comfortable, after my long
ride, that, when my host rose and suggested
walk down to the works. regretted that
had said any thing about them, and had half
a mind to pretend to be poorly.
The store was zinc-roofed building, one
hundred feet in length, by twenty-five wide
It was boarded below. but the sides upward
were merely stout rails. for insuring a
thorough circulation Of air through the inte-
rior. 1t presented a most busy appearance.
Long strings Of Malabar coolies were flock
ing in, along narrow paths, from all sides,
carrying bags and baskets on their heads,
filled with ripe coffee. These had TO pass in
at one particular door OF the store, into the
recciving-f floor. in the upper part Of the build
ing. Canehany was stationed there to see
each man . gathering fairly measured; and TO
give little tin ticket for every bushel. on the
production Of which the coolies we're paid, at
the end Of the month. Many coolies. who
had their wives and their children to assist
them in the field, brought home very heavy
parcels Of coffee.
Passing on to the floor where the measu-
ring was in progress, saw immense heaps
~c r;co rhcrrv-lookinU fr,sif uaitin0 10 be