PARA RUBBER. 41 



The illustrations, Series D, Nos. 5 and 6, show the growth 

 obtainable in the Rakwana District, where the elevation above 

 sea-level varies from 700 to 900 feet, and the rainfall from 

 95 to 110 inches. Figure 5 shows a rubber clearing planted 

 from stumps in June, 1904, the plants being 17 months old 

 at the t me the photograph was taken, and varying in height 

 between 12 to 20 feet. Figure 6 shows trees which have been 

 obtained by planting two-year-old stumps in 1899, the trees 

 being about six years old at the time the photograph was taken. 



In the Upper Ambagamuwa District, where the rainfall is very 

 heavy, Para rubber trees are being tapped and planting operations 

 continued, though the elevation in such a wet district is thought 

 by many to be near the maximum. About 800 acres have already 

 been planted and some of the plants are showing satisfactory 

 growth. 



KURUNEGALA DISTRICT. 



The rainfall of 75 to 100 inches is evidently suitable, and a 

 general glance at the average composition of the soils would not 

 be out of place here. The soils vary greatly, as can be seen from the 

 following figures : — 



Mechanical Composition. 



Per cent. 

 Fine soil passing 90 mesh . . . . 17 to 35 



Fine soil passing 60 mesh . . , . 20 to 35 



Medium soil passing 30 mesh . . 5 to 9 



Chemical Composition. 



Per cent. 

 Coarse" sand and small stones . . 20 to 60 



Moisture , . . . 3 to 7 



Organic matter and combined water . . 4 to 8 



Lime .. . . 0-1 to 0-35 



Magnesia . . . . 0-1 to 0-45 



Potash . . . . 0-08 to 0-18 



Phosphoric acid . . . . 0-02 to 0-0-4 



Nitrogen .. .. 0-08 to 0-11 



During 1905 Para rubber has been largely planted, and a total 

 estimate of about 4,000 acres for the year 1906 is considered to be 

 below the probable area for this district. 



Passara District. 



According to the Passara District Association, in their report 

 for 1905, large areas in Moneragalla and the lower elevations of 

 Madulsima and Passara were planted in rubber during the year, 

 and it is estimated that over 1 1 ,000 additional acres will be opened 

 within the next ten years. The results from the older trees being 

 tapped at all elevations up to nearly 3,000 feet are satisfactory. In 

 the Uva Province the climatic conditions are said to be such as to 



(6) 



