12 



at the same elevation throughout otherwise the object aimed at is 

 lost. Any wash from the slopes is I'etained on the iiat terraces and 

 this assists in the nourishment of the tree. Should the land be very 

 steep it is advisable to plant some cover-ci'op such as Centrosema 

 fhimierl on the slopes and it may be desirable to establish 

 a strong growing plant, for instance, citronella or lemon grass, 

 along the edge of the terraces. The flat teiraces are maintained 

 clean weeded and tilled when required. 1 have seen remarkably 

 good results from rubber grown under such conditions and have no 

 hesitation in recommending it for hill land. One estate in Negri 

 Sembilan has a good area planted in this way and the writer was 

 much struck with the growth of rubber there as compared with that 

 of similar age in adjacent fields. Terracing cannot be recommended 

 for pi'eviously planted areas and in such cases circular plots may be 

 gradually constructed around the trees, this is best commenced 

 Avhen the trees are quite young, the diameter of the circle being 

 increased as the tree ages. Should these plots be kept well tilled it 

 is surprising hoAV rapid growth is and there is every prospect of an 

 excellent I'oot system being developed. 



With regard to drainage of hill land 1 think it is generally 

 agreed that contour drains are unsatisfactory while perpendicular 

 ones are good examples of what not to do. 1 am doubtful if any type 

 of open drain, on hill land, serves its purpose in an efficient manner 

 and in the majority of cases it is better to dispense with drains 

 altogether and adopt some such system as that referred to. 



In the case of undulating land tillage can generally be effectively 

 carried out without any material loss. On the flat and gently undu- 

 lating country, cultivation is, I believe, more essential and beneficial 

 than on the hill, the obvious reasons being that flat land is, as a rule, 

 heavier in nature, and has not as good air circulation, consequently 

 I'esponds better to cultivation. Thei'e are various forms of implements 

 of tillage, ploughs, cultivators and harrows which do excellent work 

 and may be used to great advantage on the flat and gently sloping 

 lands, provided the timber has been cleared and estate drains do not 

 materially intei'fere with the work. Tillage should be commenced 

 at as early an age as is possible in order to compel surface roots 

 to grow at a greater depth in the soil and thus enable tillage to be 

 done, in later years, with a minimum injury. 



The changkoll and foi'k are the most common implements of 

 tillage here, and I propose, therefore, to make a few i-emai'ks regard- 

 ing their efficiency. When used in ymmg clearings it is, I believe, a 

 waste of labour to chans-koll or foi'k all over the area. Should one 

 commence this type of tillage in circles around each tree, increasing 

 the diameter as the root area develops, it is probable that excellent 

 returns will be obtained Avhen costs are considered. Ultimately, the 

 circles would meet and tillage would then be conducted all over the 

 land, the greatest attention being given to cultui'e in the middle oi 



