PLANTATION EIJBBER INDUSTRY OF THE EAST. 507 



1882, 1883); Lucknow (1882); Bombay (1882); Nellore 

 (1882); Poona (1884); Calcutta (1878, 1880, 1881); Ootaca- 

 mund (1880) ; Saharunpore (1880, 1882) ; Singapore (1880, 

 1881) ; Perak (1880, 1882) ; Natal (1878) ; the PhiUppines 

 (1883) ; Mauritius (1880) ; Queensland (1880) ; Sydney 

 (1883) ; Adelaide (1883) ; Melbourne (1883) ; Jamaica (1880, 

 1882, 1884) ; British Guiana (1880, 1883, 1884). 



Though the seeds distributed by the Botanic Gardens were 

 all from Cross's trees, there is no doubt that Ceara seeds were 

 introduced from other sources also. Mr. A. Scott Blacklaw 

 visited Brazil, and made arrangements for the supply of seed, 

 and it was obtainable at that time through the usual trade 

 channels. 



At Peradeniya the original plants were put out in the old 

 vegetable ground (now the Palmyra Avenue), where there was 

 still one in existence in 1898. Trimen planted a group near 

 the herbaceous garden (South Garden) above the Hevea, and 

 others on the river bank, in 1881. The former were soon 

 afterwards cut out, but some still remain in the latter situation. 



Seeds were distributed to Government officials in Ceylon at 

 Hambantota, Batticaloa, Jaffna, Negombo, &c. A proposal 

 to estabhsh a Government plantation of Ceara at Kurunegala 

 was not acceded to. 



Trimen began the experimental tapping of Ceara in May, 

 1881. The method recommended by Cross was adopted, the 

 bark being cut off in long strips. Various knives, a spoke- 

 shave, and a plane were tried. It was found that the method 

 was impracticable, part of the latex being removed in the 

 strips cut off and part adhering to them, while that which 

 exuded subsequently coagulated on the stem. From a tree 

 30 feet high and 25 inches in diameter at 3 feet, only | oz. of 

 rubber was obtained. Another tree was tapped by " broad- 

 arrow " incisions terminating in a short vertical channel, a 

 chisel, an axe, and a knife being tried ; twenty-four incisions 

 were made, but only ^ oz. of rubber, collected in strings, was 

 obtained. The same tree was tapped the following day 

 earUer in the morning, and jdelded f oz. of dry rubber, the 

 latex being evaporated over a fire. On the next day 5 drams 

 were obtained, making a total of 2 oz. 1 dram in three tappings. 



