DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2375#0214
MYSORE, CANARA, AND MALABAR.
209
Cariguta, Bily Maynasu, and Vocalu. The first kind is the best; not chapter
that there is any difference in the quality of the pepper, but the Km^^u
amenta of the two last kinds contain very few grains. I have had March 10.
no opportunity of determining, whether the difference consists in
sex, species, or variety ; but the natives, by examining their leaves,
can distinguish the different kinds. Every kind of tree is reckoned
equally fit for supporting the pepper vine; but, where the woods
are too thin, the tree commonly planted is the Bondu Bala, because
it easily takes root. As the produce could not be secured from the
monkies, no fruit trees are planted. When the trees are about
three cubits distant from each other, and are of a middling size,
the vines thrive best. Very large trees do not answer for the
pepper, but are said to be of advantage by giving shade. In fact
they are very common ; but I imagine more owing to the trouble of
cutting them, than to any advantage that they are of to the pepper.
In order to prevent the havoc which would be occasioned by the
natural decay and fall of one of these immense trees, when they
observe one beginning to wither, the natives cut off its branches,
and a circle of bark from the bottom of the stem ; by this means it
decays gradually, and rots without falling down in a mass, owing
to the weight of its branches. Except this rotten wood, no manure
is used. Most of these steps, which I have now enumerated, are in
general very much neglected. The pepper of a Maynasu Canu is
reckoned somewhat inferior to that raised in gardens, which I con-
sider as arising merely from a want of proper cultivation and ma-
nure. In a Maynasu Canu, a tree, although much larger than one
in a garden, produces only one Cutcha Seer; while the one in the
garden usually produces double that quantity. A man collects in
the day the produce of twenty trees, or rather more than 12 lb.,
and at the same time he ties up the branches, which is all the an-
nual labour required. He ascends the tree by means of a ladder of
Bamboos, some of which are forty cubits long.
Vol. III. E e
209
Cariguta, Bily Maynasu, and Vocalu. The first kind is the best; not chapter
that there is any difference in the quality of the pepper, but the Km^^u
amenta of the two last kinds contain very few grains. I have had March 10.
no opportunity of determining, whether the difference consists in
sex, species, or variety ; but the natives, by examining their leaves,
can distinguish the different kinds. Every kind of tree is reckoned
equally fit for supporting the pepper vine; but, where the woods
are too thin, the tree commonly planted is the Bondu Bala, because
it easily takes root. As the produce could not be secured from the
monkies, no fruit trees are planted. When the trees are about
three cubits distant from each other, and are of a middling size,
the vines thrive best. Very large trees do not answer for the
pepper, but are said to be of advantage by giving shade. In fact
they are very common ; but I imagine more owing to the trouble of
cutting them, than to any advantage that they are of to the pepper.
In order to prevent the havoc which would be occasioned by the
natural decay and fall of one of these immense trees, when they
observe one beginning to wither, the natives cut off its branches,
and a circle of bark from the bottom of the stem ; by this means it
decays gradually, and rots without falling down in a mass, owing
to the weight of its branches. Except this rotten wood, no manure
is used. Most of these steps, which I have now enumerated, are in
general very much neglected. The pepper of a Maynasu Canu is
reckoned somewhat inferior to that raised in gardens, which I con-
sider as arising merely from a want of proper cultivation and ma-
nure. In a Maynasu Canu, a tree, although much larger than one
in a garden, produces only one Cutcha Seer; while the one in the
garden usually produces double that quantity. A man collects in
the day the produce of twenty trees, or rather more than 12 lb.,
and at the same time he ties up the branches, which is all the an-
nual labour required. He ascends the tree by means of a ladder of
Bamboos, some of which are forty cubits long.
Vol. III. E e