316 NILGIRI HILLS. Ibs. ; the cost of cultivation, £4, ios. to £17, 1os. per acre; the cost of manufacture per lb. was 2ļd. to 6d. An experiment has recently been made of tea-growing on grass lands. It is too early to predict the result, but if it is even moderately successful, the tea-gardens of the Nilgiris may be developed almost indefinitely. About 4500 hands are employed on the several tea estates in the District Cinchona Cultivation. — The Madras Government commenced the experimental cultivation of cinchona on the Nilgiris in 1860. The plant was specially introduced from South America by Mr. Clements Markham. A wooded ravine above the Government gardens on the Dodabetta range, at an elevation of between 7600 and 7900 feet, was selected as suitable for the growth of such varicties as require high eleration. For species requiring a warmer and moister climate, a forest glen was chosen at Neddiwattam above Gúdalúr, on the north-western slope of the hills, at an elevation of about 6ooo feet. In 1862, two other plantations were cstablished on the wooded slopes on either side of the Paikára waterfall, having an elevation about the same as that of Neddiwattam. These plantations are known as the Wood and Hooker estates, the former being named in honour of the then Secretary of State for India, and the latter after the celebrated botanist and Director of Kew Gardens. Towards the end of 1863, a fifth plantation was opened out near Melkunda, about 9 miles south of Avalanchi bungalow, at an elevation of between 6000 and 7000 feet; but this cstate was abandoned in 1871 by order of Government. The four existing Government cinchona plantations, namely, the Dodabetta, Noddiwattam, Wood, and Hooker estates, occupied an area of 2610 acres in 1883-84, and contained a total of 1,315,444 trees. The total cost to Government up to March 1883 amounted to £255,850, and the total receipts had amounted to £340,486, showing a surplus of £84,636. The amount of bark collected in 1882-83 was 135,016 lbs., and in 1883-84, 186,652 lbs. The receipts in 1881-82 were £52,484, but fell to £20,842 in 1882-83, owing to a destructive monsoon period. Half of the crop collected, sale of seeds, etc. sold in 1883-84 realized £8013, while the cost of maintenance and other expenses amounted to £9418. This success shows that thc undertaking has passed out of the region of experiment; and already privato enterprise has followed in the steps of Government, and there are now 4 or 5 private cinchona-gardens planted out. With regard to the cultivation of the cinchona plant, secd from plantations where natural facilities for hybridization exist, is to be preferred. The growth of hybrids is gencrally stronger, while they have a tendency towards a greater secretion of alkaloids. Hybrids of Candominca and Succirubra also partake in great measure the vigour and
