CHAPTER VI. 

 Catch crops. 



I. REQUIREMENTS FROM CATCH CROPS. 



One of the points upon which opinions are mostly 

 divided, is the question whether it is advantageous or 

 not, to plant between the young rubber, other plants 

 which will give a profit before the rubber comes into 

 production, and cover, at least, part of the upkeep, 

 expenses and maintenance during the earlier years. 

 On some old estates, where tapping is already being- 

 done on a large scale, these are not necessary. The 

 profits which are readily obtainable from Catch crops, 

 are not required and it is preferable to concentrate as 

 much energy upon the rubber plantation as possible; the 

 crop from the older trees is sufficient to cover all expenses, 

 to provide money for extension and to distribute, moreover, 

 high dividends. For younger and smaller estates, it 

 is different; here we are anxious to find a cultivation 

 which gives sufficient profit as soon as possible, in order 

 to strengthen the capital account and cover the high 

 expenditure for the upkeep of the young plantation. 



When the Hevea is about to mature and come into 

 production - - i.e. after about 4 to 5 years, or with a 



