8o THE RUBBER TREE BOOK 



promptly dispatched. Every planter knows that Hevea seeds 

 lose their vitality so quickly that a few days' detention in transit, 

 or delay in planting them up when they arrive, is a most serious 

 matter. 



In the case of a Java plantation which some time ago re- 

 ceived a consignment of Hevea seeds from Sumatra, there was 

 delay in landing, the ship having been put into quarantine on 

 account of cholera at a port where it had touched. The con- 

 sequence was that the unloading was delayed for about ten 

 days. This delay seriously affected the vitality of the seeds, 

 and when they were planted barely 5 per cent, germinated. 

 Such cases are not rare. It will thus be seen that delays have 

 serious effects on the vitality of the seeds. All other things 

 being equal, the nearer the plantation sending the seeds to that 

 ordering them, the better when the seeds have been received. 

 Different planters pursue different methods. Some very 

 good and careful planters spread the seeds out and water them 

 well, and only select for planting those which germinate within 

 four or five days. All others are rejected, it being assumed 

 that their vitality is weak. The seeds which have germinated 

 are then either promptly planted-out in nurseries, or in the 

 fields as seed at stake. 



Other planters argue that this is an unnecessary waste of 

 time and expense, and they plant the seeds out directly into 

 the nurseries, or into the fields as seed at stake. 



When one plants out directly into the fields everything must 

 be ready. The ground must have been all cleared and well 

 dug over, so that the roots of the seedlings may have loose soil 

 in which to spread. It is not necessary to dig holes under such 

 circumstances. The seeds should only be planted about one 

 inch beneath the surface of the soil, so that the stem and leaves 

 may quickly reach the light. Deep planting would be in- 

 jurious. Two or even three seeds are usually planted together 

 and the most promising plant is allowed to remain. 



Nurseries should always be established on virgin soil care- 

 fully dug over and, of course, without any roots or stumps left 

 in the soil. As before stated seeds should not be planted 

 deeply in the soil. Just a covering of soil is sufficient. 



When lining out nurseries with string a distance of i foot 

 by i foot is usually thought ample by most planters. No 



