Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1861-05-18
Ghe polpnesian,
From :. Coffee Planting in CeyIon, Past and
Present."


Having discoursed so far upon the History Of
Coffee Planting in Ceylon our lueubrations would
be imperfect without some general description of
the perfected nod,rs operdndi by which the dark
dense forest is converted into smiling garden.
Perhaps no part of the affair of Coffee Planting
has been more discussed than the first proceeding,
the selection of the land. Yet in actual practice
we believe accident has determined the positions
of most of the original plantations. Parties have
followed each other into every district, the most
accessible blocks of lands being first parcelled out,
and the late comers being compelled TO take some
times the higher elevations and occasionally the
lower. The Pioneers of the various districts have
the chief claim for originality of selection, though
their followers have made equally merit of their
choice.
The very extended experiment which has thus
been made, has in the course of years and crops
settled in some measure the repute of various
districts as to their obvious advantages any enun
citation of opinion these would not be altogether
properly placed in these observations. Besides, in
CeylOn, the prejudice of opinion respecting districts
is disappearing rapidly before improvement of eul-
tivation Planters are fast reaching the opinion
that he who is master of his business should be
able to produce Coffee prOfably in any situation,
provided Hthe transport can be effected within
limited expence.
Elevation must ever be an important consideration;
though we have no doubt that by the of manures
Coffee might be made to do well and bear to a
limited extent at the level of the sea In Ceylon.
We believe this to be however so completely
artificial that it will never again be tried whilst
land is available from 1900 feet and upwards of
elevation, where the plant grows vigorously with
out more than ordinary care being bestowed. As
yet the general effect of elevation may be described
very shortly that the lower ranges with fair soil
produce the heaviest crops and the soonest after
planting, whilst the Plantations on higher eleva-
tions produce smaller crops, but finer quality of
produce, and take longer time to come into full
bearing. There are many circumstances which go
to produce climate besides differences of elevation
On Plantation formed in large district of forest
yet uncleared the climate will be colder, and more
moist than when the formation of other estates
has cleared away the forest around it. The prox-
unity of high mountain peak, or being situated
on the shoulder of mountain which towers to
great elevation above the level of the plantation,
will also produce more cold and wet, than if the
garden were opened a lower range and to the
full height of such position. At low elevations
long continued dry weather is more frequent than
on the higher ranges, inasmuch as the clouds are
frequently broken by the distant hills before they
reach and when there is no rain about, estates on
the higher ranges are less parched and atmOspher-
ically enjoy moisture of which the lower hills
are destitute. Still these various conditions are
cumstances high elevation, cold and wet, and low
elevation, heat and drought are alike unfavorable
as prevailing characteristics it is their due and
seasonabe admixture which is found most fayora-
BILE to the profitable production of the Coffee plant
Perhaps the least favorable localities are those
high positions where the natural vegetation is of
the alpine character, in such positions the plant
will only struggle for an existence 1t therefore
follows that the land selected should be well under
these extreme elevations.
When plantations were in their infancy rain
was considered an advantage and dry weather the
contrary. We find now that after plants are well
established and in bearing, continuance oil dry
weather previous to the blossom is most favorable,
if accompanied with gentle showers to bring out
the flower and followed by rains to set fruit. This
is supposed to have taken place in the North East
Monsoon. The crop then requires the rains which
come in heavily at the commencement OF the South
West Monsoon, and the prevailing moisture of
that season to bring the berry to maturity. East
ward of the High range on which Newera ELLA is
situated the seasons are reversed, as they are
favored most by the North East Monsoon.
In the nresent state of the various districts in
CeyIen some retain no more forest and others still
having thousands of acres uncleared, the estates
on some of the lower ranges have yielded crops In
Is months and two wears, and some Of the highest
estates have not produced crops under three to four
years.
been condemned by all. Depth and freeness are
nerhans its most favorable states; dark ck mould
is ALWAYS good but wherever there Is suthclency OF
deptb found beneath virgin forest at the proper
elevation and climate, coffee has come on success
fuIIv The land which has by general opinion been
condemned as unfit for continued production is
Cbeua-that is land covered with small jungle af-
ter the forest has been cut down, and the
land made to produce a rice crop for the natives.
Perbaps it may be the exposure of the soil to the
sun and exhaustion by the large weeds which it
produces, which are so injurious to 1t. The mod
ern system Of manuring is rapidly equaiizlng the
value of all soils, though deep lands on limestone
bottom, or strewed with granite boulders, are al
ways considered highly favorable for coffee cuitVa
ton The proximity of land to roads, is point Oh
great importance in its selection, both as dlrecuy
and indirectly affecting the outlay IN forWfng
plantation, and probably for long time determln,
ING the large item of expense under the head oi
transport of produce -.
The nIanter having selected and purchased his
land. in these modern days has little else to do
than to give out the operations by which the land
is 70 become plantation to contractors. We shall,
however. describe these in the order of their un-
dertaking. :.
FrTTISG AND CLEARING, as the name implies, is
cuttin- down the jungle and burning 1t OH, so as to
leave the land clear for planting 1t is conducted
as follows Beginning from the lower part OF the
land and working upwards. the under growth or
small Jungle is cut down with catties or bills,
aarn the forest trees free and open for the abors
IS tba sxemen. Likewise beginning from the low
os. nart of the field the laborers, generally Sing
Soidse who are extremely expert at this work, cut
the trees nearly through by notches at the lower
and upper sides gradually retiring up the nil un-
I'll tree of larger dimensions is cut, and D., beng
sent down crusbes all the others beneath it. When
this is clevery managed several acres will often oe
opened to the daylight at one time; much however We
depends upon the steepness OF the ascent anu ons
the trees are smallest and come down lghtest, ana
on the lower elevations it may frequently happen
that for acres and acres the trees are OF that I'M
mense size that every log has required four men TO
cut it from the stump. Not unfrequeDtly some OF