506 FETCH : 



attempt to flower in April, 1878, about six months from 

 planting out ; this might have been one of Cross's original 

 plants, which were well developed when collected, or a tree 

 grown from the seeds sent in 1870. In 1879 and 1880 seeds 

 were again produced in abundance ; and in the latter year 

 Trimen recorded the distribution of 24,550 seeds and 1879^ 

 rooted cuttmgs to Calcutta, Saharunpore, Ootacamund, Singa- 

 pore, Mauritius, Queensland, Perak, Jamaica, British Guiana, 

 and Kew, as well as to planters in Ceylon, as far afield as 

 Trincomalee. In 1881 seed was sent to Calcutta, Singapore, 

 and the Andamans ; and in 1882 to Perak, Burma, Assam, Luck- 

 now, Saharunpore, Jamaica, Rangoon, Bombay, and Nellore. 



In 1880-81 cofifee in Ceylon was in the last stages of its 

 struggle against Hemileia, green bug, &c., and Ceylon planters 

 were anxiously looking out for now products. Cacao was 

 already well established, and cinchona and tea were being 

 largely planted. Rubber plants of all descriptions, practically 

 every available species, had been introduced, not only thi'ough 

 the Botanic Gardens but also by private individuals, of whom 

 IVIr. T. Christy and Mr. A. Scott Blacklaw were especially 

 prominent ; and home advisers were strongly urging planters 

 to take up rubber cultivation. Under these circumstances 

 they naturally turned to the best species, i.e., the South 

 American rubbers, as soon as they were available. Ceara 

 produced seed first, and there was an immediate demand for 

 it from all parts of the Island ; it grew rapidly, could bo easily 

 propagated, and produced abundance of seed ; and, as far as 

 was known, it was not inferior to the other species. The 

 Ceylon Planters' Association about this time addi'essed the 

 Government on the subject of aid in obtaining in quantity 

 such seeds as Ceara ; but by the end of 1881 Trimen was able 

 to report that so much seed had been produced that the 

 " loud and urgent demand for it had almost ceased in Ceylon 

 in the course of one year." 



The records of the Botanic Gardens show that seeds were 

 distri)>uted to Burma (1878, 1882) ; Rangoon (1882, 1892) ; 

 Andamans (1881) ; Nilambur (1878, 1882) ; Assam (1878, 



• It rather looks as if this number was originally moant for tho date 

 uf tlio your in wliicli thu cuttings wore distributed. 



