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As a purely decorative plant it appeals to many and is largely 

 cultivated in temperate countries for this quality alone, but the chief 

 product derived from this plant, as perhaps every one knows, is the 

 valuable oil obtained from the seeds. 



There are many varieties of this plant — the seeds varying in size 

 and shape, but for all practical purposes, the numerous forms may 

 be grouped into two classes, i.e., the large-seeded and small-seeded 

 kinds. The former are more prolific in yield of seeds and the oil 

 obtained from them is largely used as a lubricating oil, and in India 

 it is used as an illuminant and is commercially called " Lamp Oil ". 

 The latter, i.e., the small seeded kinds, yield a much finer oil and this 

 is preferred for use in medicine. 



The soil best suited to the Castor Plant is, a rich well-drained 

 sandy or clayey loam. Owing to its well developed root system the 

 Castor plant demands a deep rooting medium. The Castor plant 

 soon exhausts the soil and if virgin land is not available for the crop, 

 natural or artificial manures are necessary. It will be readily seen 

 that round coolie lines is an ideal situation for this plant, in so far as 

 food is concferned as decaying matter of all kinds is e\^er to be found 

 in such places. 



One of the most valuable manures for this plant is the residual 

 cake left after the expression of the oil from the seeds. 



In the tropics the cultivation of this plant seems to be restricted 

 by excessive rainfall, while in Malaya it is attacked and often denud- 

 ed of leaves by a Caterpillar (Ophiusa sp.). 



Before sowing the seeds it is advisable to steep them in slightly 

 warmed water for about 24 hours. This treatment soften the hard 

 seed coat and tends to ensure quick and uniform germination. The 

 large seeded kinds are generally planted in rows from 5 to 5 feet 

 apart with a similar distance between the plants in the row. The 

 small seeded kinds are planted closer, i.e., about 3 feet between the 

 rows and 18 inches from plant to plant. It is advisable, to secure an 

 event crop, that 2 or 3 seeds be planted at the distance mentioned 

 above. 



After germination, the weaklings one be removed and the 

 strongest one in each case allowed to continue its growth. 



In India the Castor Plant is seldom grown as a pure crop, it being 

 usually interplanted with cereals or some leguminous crop. It is 

 often planted as a border to cotton or sugar fields, when planted as a 

 pure crop, about lO lbs. of seeds 'of the large seeded varieties are 

 required to plant an acre and about 14 lbs. in the case of the small 

 seeded kinds. 



After thinning, it is advisable to slightly mould up the plants by 

 drawing the soil up round the stem, this preventing moisture from 

 collecting at the base. 



