i84 



Sixty-five tons of rubber were exported from Ceylon in 1905. 

 The acreage planted to rubber now amounts to 45,000 acres in 

 Ceylon, and about 67,000 acres in Malay, Indian Burmah, Java 

 and Sumatra. Clean, dry biscuit and sheet rubber now commands 

 a premium of 20 to 24 cents per pound over fine Para. 



Four million seven hundred twenty-two thousand and eight 

 hundred bunches of bananas v/ere imported into England in 1905. 

 Three million two hundred and sixty-three bunches were received 

 from Jamaica and Costa Rica, an increase of 1,400.000 bunches 

 over IQ04. 



An organization known as the "Liverpool Institute of Com- 

 mercial Research in the Tropics" has recently been established for 

 the purpose of protecting and increasing the present supply of 

 rubber ; to examine possible new sources of vegetable oils ; to in- 

 vestigate the pests and diseases affecting certain tropical crops; 

 and to investigate new fibres and extend the cultivation of fibre 

 plants. An expedition has been sent to the West Coast of Africa 

 by this institute. 



In an "egg-laying contest," recently held in England, under 

 the auspices of the "Utility Poultry Club," 144 pullets laid 5401 

 eggs in 16 weeks, from October to January. The judges gave 

 two points for each tgg weighing i^i oz. or over, and i point 

 for each egg under this weight. The birds of each variety in the 

 competition w^ere divided into pens of 12 birds. The first prize 

 went to White Leghorns with individual scores of from 61 to 66 

 eggs and 500 for points, only 2 eggs out of 251 laid by 4 birds in 

 the winning pen being under i ^ ounces in weight. Buff Orping- 

 tons won the second and third prizes with individual scores of 

 39 to 75 eggs and pen records of 468 and 441 points. The feeding 

 was generous, amounting to 4 ounces of dry food per bird per 

 day for 10 weeks and 3 ounces for the remaining 6 weeks. The 

 mash consisted of equal parts of chopped green food, meat or 

 green none, and meal, the latter a mixture of ground barley, mid- 

 lings, pea-meal and linseed meal. A scanty feed of wheat was 

 given at noon, and a liberal feed at night of wheat, oats and 

 barley. Xo corn was given in any shape. Water and grit were 

 constantly supplied. The birds received an occasional dose of 

 salt, but no spices or condiments. 



