ABSTRACT
Slashing and hoeing of the undergrowth is practised, but care is taken not to damage the roots, a circle of carefully cultivated soil surrounding each of the trees.
86. Revival of Interest in Industry. – e introduction of rubber into Malaya led to the neglect·of spice cultivation; and the collapse of rubber prices is now responsible for a revival of interest in subsidiary crops including cloves. e Chinese gardeners of Penang, who rely upon mixed cultivation and readily abandon one culture for another, are being encouraged, both through o cial and mission agencies, to plant clove trees. e movement is of recent origin and does not yet appear to have reached any great dimensions. One authority placed new plantings at about 20 per cent. of the trees in Penang and stated that most of such plantings had taken place during the twelve months.
