Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-09-26

~ progressing country l experienced hot
ter weather in Salt Lake City, since coming
to this country, than l have ever known in
Mysore during the entire period of my resi-
Lencen
IN THE COFFEE FIELD.
care you coffee planter?" was inquired.
THAT has been my business for many
years" replied Mr. Anderson, igniting some
sort of long, lanky looking roll of tobacco,
which bore unmistakable evidence of heather
birth. II will endeavor briefly to give you
some sort of an idea Of what it means to be a
coffee planter in India. In the first place,
you must understand that the refreshing
rains which water the vegetation of this
country every few days are unknown in
India for months together. Drought is tina
great enemy with which all agriculturists
are forced to contend. This atmospheric
condition is the greatest obstacle with which
we have to battle, and it has made India the
most prolific country in the world in the
matter of inventing and perfecting all sorts
of irrigating processes. In that one particu-
lar, at least We easily lead all other civilized
countries today.
Coffee plants, or trees, as they may very
properly be termed are planted FIVE feet
apart, in each direction. Everything has
to be done by hand. There is no such thing
as labor saving machinery known in connec-
ton with the business. Its use would be in,-
possible The tops of the coffee shrubs are
cut out to force them to shoot out horizon
tally instead of into the air. But the coffee
bushes on q plantation are not the only adj
iunct of the business which requires cult
walton.
ION account of the drought and the torrid
suns, every inch of the plantation must be
fully protected by shade trees. Where this
is not done, the fruit shrivels up and becomes
worthless without ripening. Experience has
taught US in India that the only really desir-
able trees for shade purposes are the silver
leafed variety. The rays Of the sun seem to
penetrate all others and the labor of cult
waiting them is wasted We generally shade
our coffee plantations with part or all of the
the eighteen or twenty varieties Of fig trees
indigenous to the country. Where these
trees are not properly located, they must be
planted and cultivated.
mo branches are allowed within twenty
five or thirty feet of the ground, and annual
trimming and pruning of both the coffee
trees and the big trees which shade them are
dDsolUltly AcCcSseL y. IOu Cttd OoUDeiCSs
form some idea of the immense amount Of
labor which this process entails.
There is no more beautiful sight, however,
than a properly cared for coffee plantation
after it has reached maturity. The green
bushes in regular rows below and the equally
green trees towering above them with pro
tecting arms, form a very pretty picture. In
May the coffee bushes are in full bloom, the
white blossoms something after the migno
nette order. causing the perspective to re-
semble waving, palpitating field of virgin
snow. The picking of the berries begins in
November and continues until February. A:
have said, all labor is done by hand, and I
regularly employ about 600 coolies in man.
aging my plantation. The picking process is
naturally tedious one, but labor is cheap In
India If such were not the case coffee would
be luxury which few would be able to af-