50 THE WHOLE ART OF RUBBER-GROWING 



in the most extraordinary manner. Neither grass 

 nor weeds grew among this underwood, and there 

 was an entire absence of ferns, mosses, and other 

 plants ". Further inland, Mr. Cross came (as he 

 says) upon " a large tract of land covered by im- 

 mense masses of grey granite, some of which might 

 be fifty tons or more in weight. Rounded masses of 

 the same rock also cropped out in many places, and 

 many good-sized trees were growing in the spaces 

 between these granite masses. The situation was 

 very dry, but no doubt some seedlings had sprung up 

 which, owing to numerous thickets of shrubs, were 

 not perceived ". 



The late Dr. Trimen was in charge of the Pera- 

 deniya Gardens, Ceylon, when the Manihot was first 

 introduced into the island. He became enamoured 

 of it, and in a Sessional paper he bears out 

 the statements of Mr. Cross respecting the general 

 behaviour of the tree, concerning which he says : 

 " Experience of the plant in the botanic garden here 

 has proved the general accuracy of his (Mr. Cross') 

 remarks. There can be no doubt of the hardiness 

 of the species, its readiness of culture and adapt- 

 ability to circumstances. It grows equally readily 

 from seed or from cuttings, and thrives well here in 

 Ceylon up to at least a level of 3000 feet and on the 

 most barren soils. 



It would seem specially adapted for the dry and 

 barren districts of our Eastern and Northern pro- 

 vinces or in the higher districts, but it would not be 

 wise to risk it in localities where the temperature is 

 liable to fall below 6o° F. " 



