244 



maturity than if it were planted at a lower elevation. A rainfall 

 of 80 in to 100 in. per annum is usually considered more suitable 

 than an excessive rainfall of 1 50 in. to 200 in." (R. Hoffman : 

 See Bulletin of Department of Agriculture, December, 1905, p. 263.) 



CULTIVATION. 



Propagation — The tree may be propagated by cuttings of the 

 green lateral twigs as soon as they begin to harden, and by seeds, 

 the latter method being the more expeditious. 



Seeds soon lose their vitality on exposure to the atmosphere and 

 should therefore be planted as soon as possible after gathering. 



We have found that a good method is to place the seeds on a 

 thin layer of sifted coco-nut refuse, or powdered charcoal or a 

 thick layer of sand in a shaded position, then cover them with 

 sacking which should be kept continually moist. The sacking is 

 removed every morning and all the seeds that have germinated 

 since the previous morning are picked out and potted in bamboo 

 pots. 



Last year we received a consignment of 7,500 seeds by post 

 from Singapore, and owing to the careful way in which they were 

 packed for transport we were able to raise and distribute 68 / of 

 them. 



Nurseries— The practice in Ceylon appears to be to plant the seed- 

 lings in nursery beds, and when nine to twelve months old, these 

 are cut back and the stumps are planted in the field. In Jamaica, 

 they are planted out in their permanent places, as soon as they are 

 a few inches high ; and our experience is that there is no check, 

 and they grow rapidly in favourable situations. 



Planting Operations. 



Distance — Various distances from 10' x 10' to 20' x 20' have 

 been tried in Ceylon, but Mr. Herbert Wright states that in 

 order to allow the plants to develop freely in circumference the 

 maximum distance should be allowed, as the desired length 

 of trunk is usually obtained even when the Para rubber tree 

 is grown in the open. From considerations of the condition 

 of trees from 2 to 20 years old, the following table is compiled 

 in order to show the probable number of Para rubber trees of 

 known age an estate can bear without interfering with the natural 

 growth of the plants : — 



This shows the approximate number of trees to the acre at 

 different ages without any interference of the branches of adjacent 

 trees with one another. There is, however, no objection to the 



