Page:Transactions of the Linnean Society of London, Volume 10.djvu/265

Rh had borrowed the appellation from the Greeks in the early period of its commerce; in which, most probably, they either directly or indirectly largely participated.

II.

THE CARDAMOM FARMS. The spots chosen for these, called in the Malabar language Ela-Kandy, literally signifying Cardamom plots, are either level or gently sloping surfaces, on the highest range of the Ghaûts, after passing the first declivity from their base. The extent of climate hitherto known in Malabar to produce them lies betwixt 11° and 12° 30' N. Lat. or thereabouts.

Steep places and the very summits of the hills would, the natives acknowledge, be also productive,—but with such an accumulation of labour, and in a quantity so stinted, as not to repay the additional pains: but here we must take into account their blind attachment to beaten tracks of cultivating, and their obstinate aversion to all attempts at improvement.

The months of February and March are, on account of the prevailing dry weather, selected as the most proper for commencing their labours; the first part of which consists in cutting down the large and small trees promiscuously, leaving, of the former, standing at nearly equal distances, certain tall and stately individuals, adapted to that degree of perpendicular shade which experience teaches them to be most favourable for the future crops. They affirm, and with some reason, that no little exactness is required in hitting this prolific medium; for, as too much sun burns up, so does excessive shade alike disappoint the hopes of harvest. The grass and weeds are then cleared away, and the ground disencumbered from the roots of the brushwood;