is a dull gray, and always moist, requiring a very large proportion of
lime in the manufacture, without which it could neither be cleansed nor
crystalized.

The sugar cane, to produce fine sugar, requires a rich, stiff, and very
dry soil. In Ceylon, there is no such thing as a stiff soil existing.
The alluvial soil upon the banks of rivers is adapted for the growth of
cotton and tobacco, but not for the sugar-cane. In such light and
moist alluvial soil the latter will grow to a great size, and will
yield a large quantity of juice in which the saccharometer may stand
well; but the degree of strength indicated will proceed from an immense
proportion of mucilage, which will give much trouble in the cleansing
during boiling; and the sugar produced must be wanting in dryness and
fine color.

There are several rivers in Ceylon whose banks would produce good
cotton and tobacco, especially those in the districts of Hambantotte
and Batticaloa; such as the "Wallawe," the "Yalle river," the
"Koombookanaar," etc.; but even here the good soil is very limited,
lying on either bank for only a quarter of a mile in width. In
addition to this, the unhealthiness of the climate is so great that I
am convinced no European constitution could withstand it. Even the
natives are decimated at certain seasons by the most virulent fevers
and dysentery.

These diseases generally prevail to the greatest extent during the dry
season. This district is particularly subject to severe droughts;
months pass away without a drop of rain or a cloud upon the sky. Every
pool and tank is dried up; the rivers forsake their banks, and a
trifling stream trickles over the sandy bed. Thus all the rotten wood,
dead leaves and putrid vegetation brought down by the torrent during
the wet season are left upon the dried bed to infect the air with
miasma.

This deadly climate would be an insurmountable obstacle to the success
of estates. Even could managers be found to brave the danger, one
season of sickness and death among the coolies would give the estate a
name which would deprive it of all future supplies of labor.

Indigo is indigenous to Ceylon, but it is of an inferior quality, and
an experiment made in its cultivation was a total failure.

In fact, nothing will permanently succeed in Ceylon soil without
abundance of manure, with the exception of cinnamon and cocoa-nuts.
Even the native gardens will not produce a tolerable sample of the
common sweet