Ceylon.—This island is now by far the most important coffee producer of all the British posses sions, occupying the rank once held hy the West Indies. Iu 1877, it was eatimated that the capital invested iu Ceylon coffee culture was nearly 14,000,000/., and a notable increase has taken place since. The hill region, covering an area of about 4000 square miles, ia aomewhat circular in form, and its most elevated parts riaa to 8280 ft. above the level of the sea. Systematic coffee cultivation is almoat exclusively confined to those hills, although irregular native garden planta tions are found everywhere in the south-western. portion of the island, even close to the sea beach. The favourite and most fruitful elevation is between 3000 and 4500 ft. ; but, in a few exceptional cases, estates descend almost to the foot of the hills, whilst others are situated at 5500 ft., and even higher. Native gardens, eometimes bearing good crops, may be met with along the coast actually at sea-level. In these cases, however, the plants will invariably be found growing under the shade of suitable trees, without which ,protection all chance of their thriving permanently would be out of the question. These native gardens are, moreover, limited in extent, and are generally richly manured, and often well-watered during the dry season. These conclusions are borne out in those districta where coffee cultivation has been attempted below 1000 ft. elevation, abandoned properties on every side bearing evidence that humidity and rainfall have been insufficient to neutralize the high temperature. In the neighbourhood of Sandy, there are properties which, even at 1800 ft., seem to owe their present existence chiefly to ahade and irrigation. In fact, the climate which is most favourable for coffee, is that in which an Englishman will find little to complain of, except occasional malaria.
There are now aome forty dietricts in which the cultivation is e,arried on, containing i 13 all about 1400 properties, of which over 1200 are in course of cultivation ; these have a total area of about 300,000 acres. The average crop per acre of land in bearing has ranged, during the twenty years from 1856 to 1875, from 5.07 cwt. an acre (in 1868), to 2'75 cwt. (in 1874)—the general average for the twenty years being rather under 1.25 cwt. an acre. In 1856, the production, taking the average of two years (a good and a had season), was 5 cwt. an acre ; in 1877, this had dwindled down to 3.43 cwt. At the average yield of twenty years ago, the island should, in 1877, have exported 1,120,000 cwt. of plantation coffee, whereas it fell short by 30 per cent. This reduced production per acre is greatly due to disease, but also to inefficient transport accommodation. With these remedied, the standard of 4 cwt. an acre all round could doubtless be maintained. The native cultivation of coffee has usually been calculated to extend over 50,000 acres ; but it vai iea very much, according to the character of the season, the pric a of produce, and the cheapness of money.
The most euitable soil is that which grows soft timber, and is dark chocolate-coloured, mixed with small stones, and dotted with granite boulders. As the strongest and most contiuuous wind comes from the south-west, it will be evident that this aspect is the worst that can be chosen ; neither would it be wise to select one directly opposite, this being exposed for some months of the year to the north-east monsoon. A bleak and exposed aspect is one of those evils that can neither be mitigated nor remedied. The monsoons, blowing incessantly for three or four months together, are assailants which coffee hushes cannot withstand. Northerly or easterly facings are perhaps the best, not being directly exposed to violent wind for any lengthened period ; the latter also gets the benefit of tbe morning sun. The season for beginning agricultural operations is October, or the early part of November, while the buildings should be finished by the middle of January. Felling is usually commenced in October—November, and the felled timber is left for fully six or eight weeks to dry. The best time for firing is lst-15th of February, when the prevalent dry weather and not too violent north-east wind are favourable. Pitting should begin as soon
as possible after the land has been cleared, say in January or February, and may be continued up to the end of June, or until the rainy season sets in. This wet season, extending more or less through June, July, and August, is the only safe time for putting out the plants. Abundant supplies of' plants of all sizes are generally to be found growing wild in the forest, in the vicioity of old estates. These, having grown up in the shade, are generally lanky and straggling, and conse quently require, before being planted out in the estate, to he " stumped " ; they sre then very iudependeot, and usually come on well. Where wild plants are not to be had, others can frequently be got from native gardens at a trifling rate per thousand. When plants in sufficient number are obtainable in either of these ways, a nursery is but little required ; but in case the planter should not find his wants thus supplied, it will be advisable to begin making a nursery. The nursery is usually made in May-June, and should yield plants fit for putting out at the same time in the following year. The best tune to obtaiu seed is the end of October, when a few bushels of fresh berries of the new crop can be obtained from neighbouring estates. Over the planted seeds, a layer of rotten leaves may be spread two inches thick, the bed being then well watered at least once every three days, if the weather be dry, until germination takes place. In about six weeks, the seeds will begin to force their way above ground, and to send a root downwards, when the layer of decayed leaves may be gently and carefully removed. If it is intended to put out plants that have grown for three years in the nursery, Hull recommends their being cut down to stumps in the beds in the December or January before the planting season ; they will then throw out suckers, which, by July, will be 9-10 in. high. When these plants are put out, a couple of the most promising suckers may be selected, the rest being pulled off. These two (being those nearest the roots) may then grow together for a month, after which the weaker of the two is taken off, the other being left to develop into the tree. By this plan he was able, in one case, to pick a maiden crop of 2-3 cvvt. an acre off plants that had been hardly eighteen months in the ground. Once the rains commence, the sooner the plants are in their places the better. Early planting is most desirable, as upon it a maiden crop may often depend. When the climate is hot, it will be necessary to erect Et " pandall," or awning, to protect the young plants from the surf during tbe dry months. The shade must, how ever, be removed on the approach of the rainy season, otherwise the drip will prove injurious to the plants, which, moreover, will be strengthened by such sun and air as they are likely to get at this time of year. Staking should be performed by the middle of May, before the commencement of the south-west monsoon. The blossom generally bursts forth in March, under the influence of the showers which usually fall in that month. About October, every preparation ought to be complete fur gathering in the crop. The berries begiu to ripen in October or early November, and con tinue to come on until the middle or end of January. In some low-lying districts, however, the crop ripens more rapidly, and all must be got in within about a month or six weeks. The labourers employed on the plantations are largely drawn from Southern India, chiefly from the districts of Madura, Tinnevelly, Tanjore, and Trichinopoly, though Mysore furnishes a considerable contingent. These Coolies are brought over by Kanganies, or native " gangers," who receive advances from the estate managers, to enable them to furnish funds for preliminary expenses, to each Cooly who enrols himself. The usugl time for their arrival in Ceylon is between May *and October; and for their return home, after the harvest. Local labour is also available for carpenter's and similar work.