These plantations were all formed by the Government, and are cultivated by the villagers under the direction of their chief.

Certain days are appointed for weeding or gathering, and the whole working population are summoned by the sound of a gong.

An account is kept of the number of hours' work done by each family, and at the year's end, the produce of the sale is divided among them proportionately.

The coffee is taken to Government stores established at central places over the whole country, and is paid for at a low fixed price.

Out of this a certain percentage goes to the chiefs and majors, and the remainder is divided among the inhabitants.
This system works very well, and I believe is at present far better for the people than free-trade would be.