LOOAL DETAILS OF CULTURE AND PRODUCTION.—The chief details of the local variations from the general modes of cultivation and preparation described above, together with special remarks on the peculiarities of soil and climate, and the latest available returns of the. production, of the principal coffee-growing countries, are as follow :— Aratria.—The culture of coffee in Arabia is almost confined to the distriet of Yemen, and is seen to greateet perfection in the Wady Nejran and the neighbourhood of Mecca. It is generally grown on terraces, up to an altitude of 3000 ft. on the slopes of the hills; but some is cultivated on lower ground, surrounded by large shade trees. The soil is kept moist by irrigation. Tile harvest is gathered at three periods of the year, the principal being May. Cloths are spread under the trees, which fatter are shakeu, that the ripe fruit may drop. The cherries are then collected, and exposed on mats to dry in the sun. A heavy roller is afterwards passed over them to break the envelopes, and the parch ment is winnowed away with a fan. They are further dried before being stored. The pulp is thus shrivelled up, and constitutes about' 20 per cent. of the mass of prepared coffee. This method is peculiar to Arabia, and the produce is known by a distinct name—Kishr,—a decoction of which is the common beverage of the Arabs. The coffee is said to be improved by this way of curing ; but the plan is possible only in a very dry climate. Most of the Arabian coffee is pea-berry. The bigh reputation it long held in European markets is not to be ascribed to superior cultivation or improved stock, but to the fact that the coffee was first shipped to India, and thence by round-about ways to Europe, so that it was generally two to tbree years old when it reached its desdnation ;—it has already been remarked how much coffee improves by keeping. Nowadays, genuine " IVIocha," or Yemen, coffee is never seen westward of Constantinople ; two-thirds of the total yield is consumed in Arabia, Syria, and Egypt, and the remainder in Turkey and Armenia. Even in Arabia itself, the bales undergo so much sifting and picking en route, that the quality deteriorates perceptibly as one leaves the centre of production. At the port of shipment, it is systematically
adulterated or replaced by Abyssinian and other growths. The modern " Mocha " of the English market is principally contributed by the East Indies, and in a minor degree by South American States.
Australia.—The mountain ranges on the northern coast of Australia, from Moreton Bay to Torres Straits, and other parts, are recommended for coffee cultivation. In Queensland, the plant has long been successfully grown ; but it has not yet become an article of export, and the plantations have recently suffered much from disease. Though it thrives well in the neighbourhood of Brisbane, Cardwell and the northern districts, especially the sheltered ridges of tbe Herbert and Endeavour rivers, offer the most favourable conditions. C. Liberia; is doing well.
Bolivia.—Coffee of several varieties is grown throughout the whole of tbe Yungas district, and the best produce is reckoned not inferior to " Mocha." That cultivated in the plains yields the larger berries, but of inferior flavour ; that on the hills gives smaller fruit, but of improved quality. Very superior c,offee grows at El Charm ; but it does not appear to be largely cultivated, owing, doubtless, to tke greater profit yielded by coca.
Borneo.—Coffee has been tried here in the gardens of the Europeans, and thrives remarkably well, producing a fine and well-flavoured berry. The Malays say that it is grown by the Dyaks of the Pontianak River, for the use of that settlement ; but its cultivation on an extensive and systematic scale has not been encouraged, the Government probably not wishing to create a competition with Java, which so largely produces thia berry. The hills on the mainland, opposite Labuh-an, would be well adapted f r the cultivation, since here coffee might be grown without the trouble and expense of raising trees amongst the plantations, to protect the bushes from the sun, as is done in Java. On tbe lowlands, Liberian coffee has been introduced, and is doing well.