130 AGRICULTURE IN THE TROPICS [PT. II 



Camphor. This product also requires mention, and being 

 a deposit in wood and leaves, will perhaps come best along with 

 rubber. The tree (Cinnamomum C amphora) is a native of Japan 

 and Formosa, and until lately has not been much cultivated 

 outside of those countries. There the camphor is usually 

 obtained by felling old trees, cutting up the wood and distilling 

 it with steam. In recent years the Japanese Government has 

 endeavoured- to establish a monopoly, an attempt which of 

 course has stimulated the wish to grow it in other countries. 

 The botanical department in Ceylon, for instance, has been 

 carefully fostering this cultivation for a good many years, until 

 now there are probably about 700 acres planted in camphor 

 in Ceylon. There are also appreciable areas of camphor in 

 Florida, California, and several other countries, though the 

 export as yet is small. 



The plant is grown in rows, and rapidly expands into a 

 small tree, which is kept more or less coppiced. At about 

 three years old it can be used for obtaining camphor; the young 

 twigs are cut off, and are then distilled with steam, the vapour 

 being passed into a large wooden receptacle, when the camphor 

 condenses around it. About 1J / of the weight of the green 

 twigs is obtained as camphor. 



