of service, and also of those amongst the work people who would be likely to make good duffadars.  The experience of the estate as to the order and way in which the various works should be done should be carefully recorded.  A section should be devoted to observations made when visiting neighbouring estates, as it is of the greatest importance to record all the local experience and opinions.  Remarks should be made as to the best means of obtaining transport either for the estate or carrying coffee to the coast, and as to how and where anything and everything the estate may require can be procured.  The dates of feasts and holidays should be entered, and a section should be devoted to financing the estate, accounts and rates of pay, and the advances given by the estate to coolies, or maistries.  Another section should be devoted to giving a complete inventory of all the tools, sawn timber, machines, carts, cattle, bungalow furniture, in short, everything on the property.  And a section should be devoted to lines, or coolie houses, and sanitary precautions regarding them.  Careful record should also be entered of all the coffee sold, and the prices obtained for it, and remarks as to the changes, if any, in the quality of the produce, as such changes would perhaps throw light on the treatment of the property, and the manurial system most advisable.

The dates on which vegetables should be put down, and the kinds most suitable to the locality, and the best method of growing them should also be noted, as well as the most suitable kinds of fruit, and the most desirable kinds of ornamental trees.  The rainfall register should also be given, as well as any other information of interest, as for instance, a list of game shot from the estate.

Much of the above kind of information exists on estates, but it is either buried in diaries or accounts, and, in short, is not in a readily available form.  When preparing my own information books I was especially struck with their value as books of reference, and found my first one of use even before I had completed it.  Notes soon accumulate, and in the course of about three or four years it will generally be found that a new edition is required.  The book is especially valuable when you wish to hear the opinions of any planter whose experience you would like to compare with your own.  In that case, instead of much talk ending perhaps in no very clear result, you can ask that the information book should be glanced over and a note made opposite any point as to which the experience of the person you wish to consult may differ from your own.  I was particularly struck with the advantage of my information book when an eminent agricultural chemist once paid a visit to my estate.  I handed it to him and asked him to be kind enough to look over the section relating to manures, and make any notes he thought fit on the conclusions arrived at.  He presently came to me with the book marked here and there with brief yes, no, or, perhaps, memo.’s.  I then took my note-book, and in a very short time wrote down his opinions as to the conclusions I had come to.