484 * FETCH : 



The distribution of seed from the Singapore Botanic Gardens, 

 as recorded in the annual reports, was as follows : — In 1896 

 2,810 seeds were distributed, " a very large amount " according 

 to the report. In 1897 the demand was said to be in excess 

 of the supply, but only 21,035 plants and 10,875 seeds were 

 distributed, though the seed crop was said to be 83,000. In 

 1898 the crop was 98,650, and these were all distributed, 

 together with 10,650 jilants. From 1899 to 1906 the seed crop 

 varied from 150,000 to 175,000 per annum, approximately the 

 same as that at Henaratgoda, but since then it has risen to 

 372,500 (1911), probably as a result of the more recent 

 extensions. The distribution of seed from the Singapore 

 Gardens has, however, been much greater than these figures 

 indicate, an extensive trade having been carried on in seed 

 purchased from neighbouring estates. In 1911 465,000 seeds 

 were purchased and distributed. 



VIII.— India. 



A list ot blic consignments of seeds and plants sent from 

 Ceylon to India has already been given. The locality chosen 

 for the estabhshment of plantations of all the three American 

 rubbers was Nilambur. 



Cross, who visited Nilambur in 1881, reported that the 

 Hevea had seemingly not found its proper habitat there. 

 The young plants had shot up like long whip-handles with a 

 bunch of leaves on the top. He suggested that some should 

 be planted in the Carcoor Ghat at an elevation of 1,000 feet, 

 ;.nd others at about 2,000 feet. 



The following further ile tails of the Nilambur plantation 

 have lx;cn taken from the Kcw Bulletin for 1898 : — 



At Nila:iiljur Lliu rubber trees (Ceara and Hevea) were piaiitcci 

 ain<»n^Ht teak trees. In the Administration Report for 1884-85 

 it was htat<-(l " the >.{r()wti) of the rubljcrs oti tlie whole continued 

 piod, thou^li Mr. Hadliold doubted whether they would yield 

 lAucli r('venu«f, hh tlicre was little milk in the seven-year old 

 jot^K." A^ain : " One ])ound of rubber was obtained from HO of 

 rfio lar>i;oHt trees in I8HG-87, but no tapping was done subse- 

 juently." 



No distinction appears to have be(;n made in tlicse reports 

 ••wer-n the Htvca and Ccara rubbers. It is possible that the 

 ^iiluro noh'd applies more particularly to the latter trees. 



