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THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 



[November i, 1884, 



CINCHONA CULTIVATION IN CEYLON. 



In the Annual Report by Dr. Triraen, on the Royal 

 Botanic Gardens in Ceylon for the year 1S83, he quite 

 confirms a statement that we quoted a few months since 

 as to the unsatisfactory outlook for the once promising 

 aud extensive experiment in the cultivation of cinchona 

 by private persons m that island. The interests involved 

 may be estimated from the fact that the export from Cey- 

 lon during the last commercial year amounted to nearly 

 seven million pounds of bark. But there has been a large 

 decrease in the number of cinchona plants, and Dr. Trinien 

 at the time of writing his report anticipated that the large 

 export would not be maintained, whilst a fear is expressed 

 that a large proportion that had been exported " was very 

 poor stuff," which at the prices then prevailing could 

 hardly have been worth sending home. It is estimated 

 that at the end of the year there were probably 128,000,000 

 of cinchona plauts in Ceylon, of which not inoiv than 

 22,000.000 were over two years old, and it is thought that 

 the proportion of the other 122,000,000 which would grow 

 up to maturity would prove to be very small. The heavy 

 mortality of seedlings and young trees now experienced 

 in the island has caused much disappointment, and is said 

 by planters to exceed that which obtained formerly. The 

 cause of this mortality has been assumed to lie in a 

 "degeneration" of the cinchonas since their cultivation in 

 Ceylon, each generation being supposed to be inferior in 

 vitality to the one that preceded it. But Dr. Trimen does 

 not see any clear evidence of this, as, under similar con- 

 ditions, the tendency to die at au early age is as marked 

 in plants grown from seed fresh from South America or 

 the West Indies as in those from Ceylon-grown seed. 

 He considers the cause is to be sought rather in the climate 

 and soil of Ceylon. Much of the shallow soil and cold 

 subsoil and many of the wet, windy and exposed hillsides 

 have proved very unsuitable for cinchona as a permanent 

 cultivation ; but in well-protected localities, with a deep 

 soil and good drainage, it is thought probable the plant 

 grows as well now as it ever did in Ceylon. But even 

 under the favourable conditions that might be supposed 

 to be present in the experimental plantations in the Govern- 

 ment gardens, the experience cannot be said to be promis- 

 ing, for the manager at Hakgala reports that the plants 

 were dying there at such a rate as to necessitate special 

 replanting, aud that although there had since been some 

 improvement, hardly a plant had made satisfactory growth, 

 whilst those of the calisaya class had nearly all died. — 

 Pharmaceutical Journal. 



FEEDING THE SILKWORM. 



M. J. G. HAMMACK. 



There are three kinds of silkworms : Annuals, Bivoltines, 

 and Tr^oltiues. The Annuals produce but one brood a 

 year, Bivoltines two broods, and Trivoltines three. After 

 considerable experience w& are satisfied that the last two 

 breeds cannot be raised as profitably as the pure Annuals. 

 Annuals 7 eggs will not hatch prematurely, but the hatch- 

 ing camiot be deferred for any length of time, after the 

 trees are in leaf, except by using ice, in which case the 

 vitality of the eggs is more or less injured. It is necessary 

 in any climate to watch the advance of the mulberry tree 

 in the spring. 



The following are some of the terms used in silk cult- 

 ure : — Grain is silk-worm eggs ; the cocoonery is a house 

 where the worms are raised ; moulting is the time at which 

 the worms change their skins. Chrysalis is the form 

 assumed by the worm inside the cocoon. Floss silk is loose 

 silk that envelops the cocoon, and is carried and spun like 

 cotton. The cocoon is the silken covering with which the 

 worm surrounds itself before passing into the chrysalis 

 state. Raw silk is silk that is reeled from cocoons. The 

 ages are periods between two moults; green-cocoons is a 

 name frequently applied to fresh or uuchoked cocoons. 

 Pierced cocoons are those that the moth is allowed to 

 perforate, and are sold for waste silk. Choked cocoous 

 are those stifled, or have the chrysalis killed, by steam or 

 in the hot sun. Litter is the accumulation where the 

 worms lay, of dried and partly consumed leaves, and offal 

 of the worm themselves. 



Gather inu the Leaves. — If the trees are desired for 

 standards, at two years old, they may be stripped of their 



leaves. The leaves must not be gathered before sunrise or 

 after sunset, when dew or fog makes them damp. They 

 should be gathered before nine o'clock in the morning for 

 the day's feed, and before seven o'clock in the evening 

 for the morning's feed. If leaves are dusty, they should 

 be wiped with a dry cloth. In case of threatened rain, 

 leaves may be gathered two days ahead, and kept in a 

 cool place. If it should become a necessity to gather 

 leaves in the rain, spread them out on the floor in the 

 shade in au airy place, or dry them by shaking in a Rheet. 

 Give to the. young worms the best, tender leaves, after 

 the second moult. After the last moult, give to the worms 

 the thickest and best leaves the trees produce. 



Silkworms should be fed" during the day and night, 

 from the hatching to the spinning time. Give them" all 

 they can eat at regular hours. Worms matured in twenty- 

 five or thirty days will produce more silk, and of a finer 

 quality, than those fed forty days, and the short-lived 

 worms are less liable to disease. Worms will never leave 

 the feeding shelves if properly fed. The worms should 

 receive light meals, first, at six in the morning; second, 

 at eight ; third, at ten ; noon, two o'clock, four, six, eight, 

 and ten. In very warm weather an extra feed should be 

 given at midnight. Ou cool days the worms will consume 

 less food than in warm ones. The young silkworms should 

 have one single layer of chopped haves for their meals, 

 and if these become dry, feed again in half au hour. — 

 American Agriculturist. 



FORESTRY EXHIBITION IN EDINBURGH. 

 (Continued from paye %%6.) 



India.— Amongst the various exhibits, perhaps the largest 

 and most important is that contributed by our Indian pos- 

 sessions. These are neatly arranged in the central tran- 

 sept, and include very extensive collections of woods, Foi est 

 products, both in a raw and finished state, implements of 

 forestry, examples of native industry, as well .as a variety 

 of miscellaneous objects, to which we shall have occasion 

 to refer at some length later on. The most important for 

 present reference is known as the "Indian Collection of 

 Timbers," sent by the Indian Government from Calcutta. 

 This immense collection comprises about 800 specimens of 

 timber, all of which have been cut from indigenous trees. 

 Tiny are not only distinctly named, but in many cases the 

 labels contain a vast amount of information regarding the 

 texture and durability of the timber, as well as strength, 

 weight, and uses to which it is generally applied. An- 

 other point which deserves special notice is the arrange- 

 ment of this collection, for the gum and resin producing 

 trees are placed by themselves, and so on with those yield- 

 ing tannin matter, dyes, oils, aud fibres. The Padowk tree 

 (Pterocarpus iudicus), of which there are some beautiful 

 logs, seems, from the number of uses to which it is ap- 

 plied, a most valuable acquisition. 



The timber of this tree varies very much in colour, that 

 from some specimens resembling very nearly our common 

 Larch, while others can hardly be distinguished from the 

 finest Mahogany. A beautiful and much-admired mantel- 

 piece made of this wo id is also exhibited, as well as various 

 other articles, all of which clearly prove that this timber 

 is admirably adapted for decorative purposes generally. 

 Numerous sections of the invaluable Teak tree (Tectona 

 grandis) are shown both in a rough and finished state. 

 This wood is exported in great quantity to Britain, being 

 found of immense value in the construction of vessels 

 railway carriages and waggon wheels. The beautiful carved' 

 work in which it is also used is well exemplified in the 

 cabinets, panels, and furniture sent for exhibition. 



From Burmah come some immense Bamboo canes rang- 

 ing in length from SO to over 90 feet, and said to have 

 been the result of one season's growth. The Sisoo, an- 

 other beautifully-grained wood, is in great request for 

 carriage-wheels, and seems remarkably light and tenacious 

 in proportion to its weight. Of resins, oils. gums, per- 

 fumery, and vegetable dyes there is also a large and varied 

 collection, as well as native carts and waggons, articles 

 of furniture, all of the most exquisite design, and the 

 highest excellence of workmanship. Hunting trophies, as 

 illustrative of the fauna of the forest, have been lent by 

 H. R. H. the Prince of Wales, Prince Christian, the Duke 

 of Edinburgh, &c, and arranged with great taste and set 



