436 FETCH : 



that of the Ficus, and that consequently those trees should be 

 introduced into British India." 



The proposal to estabhsh plantations of Ficus elastica 

 appears to have met with some disapproval. Gustav Mann, 

 who had advocated the systematic cultivation of this tree 

 some years previously,^ established plantations in Assam, 

 notably at Charduar, with considerable success.^ But else- 

 where difficulties, real or apparent, were encountered, and the 

 attempts resulted in failure. 



It is not easy at the present day to understand why such 

 difficulties were experienced with this species. Three general 

 reasons were advanced, but none of them seem vahd. It was 

 stated that although Ficus elastica would grow with undimi- 

 nished rapidity and luxuriance in stations remote from the 

 hills, it failed to yield caoutchouc.^ In the light of subsequent 

 experience this statement must be regarded as inaccurate ; it 

 may possibly have been based on an examination of some other 

 species of Ficus. 



A second objection was that the tree could not be grown 

 from seed, as the seeds were never fertile. This view was 

 widely held in India, until King demonstrated that it was quite 

 incorrect. He wrote * : " It may be as well here to allude to 

 the fallacy that this tree cannot be grown from seed — an entire 

 mistake ; for if the seed be carefully collected and properly 

 sown it germinates freely on soil." Plants have been raised 

 in Ceylon from Assam seed,^ and in Tonkin from seed from 

 Java.^ Details of the reproduction from seed will be found 

 in the " Tropical Agriculturist," XVII., pp. 451-452.' 



A more incomprehensible objection is that the tree cannot 

 be grown from cuttings. Against this is the testimony of 

 Mann ** and of Brandis,^ both of whom declared that cuttings 

 rooted readily ; and their statements are supported by Sir 



» Progresa Report of Forest Administration in Bengal, 1868-69. 



* Ditto, 1884 : roprintod (in part) in "Tropical Agriculturist," IV., 

 pp. 'M-m. 



^ Koport of tho Royal Gardens, Kew, 1875, p. 7. 

 . * Koport of tho Royal Botanic Cardons. Calcutta, 1875-76. 



* Tliwuit<i.s, Report of tho Royal Rotanic Gordons, Ceylon, 1876. 



* Vt'rnet. (J., Ktiule Gonoralo sur le Ficus elastica. 

 ' Ex "Indian Forester." 



* Collins's R<'port, p. 63. 



* Collirui's Report, p. 54. 



