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Rangoon, there is a Fiats elastica, that was introduced I am 

 told from Calcutta, in 1859, and is the parent of the stock now 

 met with in different parts of the town and its suburbs. Whether 

 the tree was originally a seedling or cutting cannot be ascertained, 

 nor is there anything on record regarding its height and size 

 when first imported ; at present, it no longer maintains its natural 

 habit of growth, the absence of aerial roots alone depriving it of 

 its most characteristic feature, while the leaves are smaller, the 

 stipules less vigorous, and the tout ensemble parched and dry in 

 comparison to the umbrageous, rich, shining foliage it exhibits in 

 its own habitat. The unhealthy state of this specimen is not 

 attributable to any climatic cause, but unquestionably to its having 

 been too heavily indented on for cuttings — a fact amply supported 

 by its mutilated condition. In nearly every instance in which 

 the cuttings it has furnished have been judiciously treated, they 

 have grown into fine healthy young trees, differing only from the 

 natural character of the species by an absence of aerial roots ; but 

 whether these will commence to develope themselves, as supports 

 to the wide-spreading lateral branches in later years, will be seen 

 hereafter. I here reproduce, in the shape of questions and answers, 

 certain correspondence that has passed between the Honorary Secre- 

 tary, Agri-Horticultural Society, Burma, and myself, regarding the 

 cultivation of the Ficus elastica in this province, from which it will 

 be seen that my hopes of future success in this branch of arbori- 

 culture are not wholly unsupported. 



No. 1712-306, dated 11th February 1876, from the Deputy Conservator, to the Honorary 

 Secretary, Agri-Horticultural Society, Burma, and Mr. Honorary Secretary's reply 

 No. 322, dated 24th February 1876. 



Question. — How many plants of the Ficus elastica have you in the 

 Botanic Gardens at Eangoon ? 



Answer. — Two dozen. 



Question. — Have they been propagated from seeds, or slips, or 

 otherwise ? 



Answer. — Propagated from cuttings. 



Question. — Can you trace the origin of the plants, and the date of their 

 introduction ? 



Answer. — One received originally from the Botanic Garden, Calcutta. 



Question. — If the plants have been cultivated in more than one way, 

 which is, according to your experience, the best way of propagation, and 

 the best time of the year for conducting the operation ? 



Answer. — I have grown them from cuttings only ; the easiest was, 

 I think, at the commencement of the rains. 



Question. — When do the trees defoliate ? 



Answer. — In March and April a few leaves fall, but I never saw the 

 trees denuded of leaves at any time of the year. 



