

380 



till about the sixth week, after which time their weight remains 

 more or less constant unless they are transferred to a drier atmos 

 phere. The loss in weight appears to be due almost entirely to 

 loss of water. 



One thousand fresh seeds from imtappedHrees weighed on an 

 average 4,126-83 grains or 9*1 lbs., and this figure agrees with 

 results obtained by Mr. Carruthers five years previously. 



The loss in weight takes place almost entirely from the kernel. 



The seeds from group B weighed, when fresh, on an average 

 3,540*8 grains, which is 7-8 lbs., as the weight of 1,000 seeds from 

 tapped trees. 



It was from these trees that Mr. Carruthers obtained his seed in 

 1902 ; thus for 



Group B. 



1902 ... Untapped trees ... Weight of 1,000 seeds = 9*1 lbs. 

 190") ... Trees tapped. 



1907 .. . ... ... Weight of 1 ,000 seeds = 7*8 lbs. 



Group A. 



1907 ... Untapped trees ... Weight of 1,000 seeds =:9'1 lbs. 



It is also stated by a planter that 1,000 seeds from his trees 

 (15 years old) formerly weighed 10 lbs., but now they average 

 7 lbs., having diminished 1 lb. each year during tapping. 



From the experiment it was clear that the seeds from tapped 

 trees are smaller, weigh less per 1,000 seeds, are actually denser, 

 but lose more weight in drying than those from untapped trees. 



With regard to the germination tests, it was found that seeds 

 from untapped trees were practically worthless if kept longer than 

 two weeks, but that the seeds of tapped trees keep better, and both 

 m percentage of germination and time of germination are better than 

 seeds from untapped trees. These results of course apply only to 

 germination, and as yet there is no indication as to the quality ot 

 the trees which would result from the two sets of seeds. 



The full details of the experiments are given in Circular No. 11 

 of the Circulars and Agricultural Journal of the Royal Botanic 

 Gardens, Ceylon, vol. iv., for May, 1908. In the tables which are 

 included for both groups the weights of the different lots of seeds 

 and the percentage and time of germination is given. The circular 

 concludes with a reference to the estimates of the return to be 



oil from Heir a seed. Calculations have 

 ueen made on the assumption that 1,000 seeds weighed 11 lbs. 

 (Wngnt) and 9-1 lbs. (Carruthers), whereas from tapped trees 



? aXa a PP, ears to be the more correct estimate for the weight of 

 1,000 seeds. 



When dry and shipped to England the kernels constitute about 



o<> per cent, by weight of the whole seed and yield 42'3 per cent. 

 ot oil. v r 



fvSr 11 l fe£?$ reB 280 ' 000 fresh seed s or 350,000 dry 'seeds 

 (yielding 700,000 kernels) = 1 ton. 



The value of the kernels may be about £10 per ton. 



L H> 



