13^ 



MINOR ECONOMIC PRODUCTS. 



Visit to Experimental Plantation. 



'XTT'HEN a visit was paid to the Department of Agriculture on the 

 26th April an inspection was made of the experimental 

 plantation and nurseries. The visitors were shown round part 

 of the grounds by Mr. F. G. Spring (Agriculturist) who gave 

 demonstrations on various plants of commercial value and it was 

 evident that a keen interest was taken in respect of many of the 

 ci-ops. The visitors were first shown Patchouli {Pogostemon 

 jxttchouli) and in dealing with this plant it was remarked that there 

 was a fair demand, at present, for the dried leaf as a source of 

 Patchouli oil. Some time was then spent in a five-acre block of four 

 years old African oil palms {EUeis gicineensis) just commencing to 

 fiTiit. The suitability of the palm and its culture in Malaya were 

 freely discussed. Its possibilities, as a plantation crop, were dealt 

 with and it was remarked that large areas might be planted without 

 affecting the market to any extent. A young rubber clearing, under 

 terraced conditions, was viewed and the benefits derived from this 

 system of planting, on hill land, were explained. Some interest was 

 shown in a number of medicinal plants such as Ipecacuanha, 

 Croton tiglium (croton oil), Erythroxylon coca (cocaine), Cinchona 

 ledgeriana and C. gttcdrubra,' Ohenopodium, and Papaya as a soui*ce 

 of commercial Papain. Mr. Spring referred to the question of green 

 manuring and dealt with Centrosema phimieri and the Sarawak Bean 

 in particular. The following fibre plants were pointed out — Sisal, 

 Manila, Mauritius and Bowstring hemps. Plants yielding vaa-ious 

 commeixjial products such as oils, dyes and spices were inspected as 

 well as fodder and other grasses, fruits, economic and ox'namental 

 trees and plants. 



On returning to the Offices the party was shown exhibits 

 of economic products, which were grown and prepared locally. 

 These consisted of — Tobacco, African Oil Palm fruits and a specimen 

 of the oil, Camphor oil, Chenopodium seed. Ipecacuanha root. Fibres, 

 Patchouli, Tuba root. Cinchona bai*k, Avocado pears, Indian cora, 

 Artichoke tubers. Seed of Centrosema phimieri, Canavalia ensi- 

 formis and Sarawak Bean {Dolichos Hosei) were also exhibited. A 

 collection of photographs consisting of a large variety of crops 

 grown on the experimental plantations was on view. 



