PARA RUBBER. 16£ 



ROADS AND Drains. — The cost would bo from Ks 5 to Rs. 8 per 

 acre according to lay of land, soil, &c 



Fencing. — Fencing can only be estimated for by tbe mile. Many 

 estates or clearings, covering perhaps only 100 to 150 acres, would 

 require 3 to 4 miles of fencing owing to established rights of way. My 

 estimate is for a treble wire fence. 



It is not at all certain that it would not pay in cases where clearings 

 have a jungle frontage to put up 2 wires only say at 1 foot 6 inches and 

 3 feet, backed by galvanized wire 3 feet by 3 inches mesh. 



The cost of the barbed wire fence would be reduced to Rs. 50 per 

 mile. The galvanized wire would cost about Rs. 285 per mile. The 

 total cost of such fencing would therefore work out at about Rs. 422 

 per mile. 



It would effectually put a stop to the depredations of muntjak deer, 

 mouse deer, porcupines, and hares, and those who have clearings along 

 a jungle edge know what damage such animals can do. 



Planting. — The use of basket plants and shading with cadjans adds 

 about Rs. 5 to Rs. <> per acre to the cost of planting ; but results prove 

 that this extra expense is well repaid 



Weeding. — This is an item which may very easily exceed the estimate 

 I have given as regards chena lands. The first year's weeding should 

 not, however, in any case cost over Ks. 3 per acre per month — say Rs. 36 

 per acre for the year for the weediest chena lands. It may cost this 

 unless labour is very plentiful. From fourth year the weeding should 

 be reduced in either forest or chena land clearings to an average of 75 

 cents per acre. 



Superintendence. — Has been estimated for on the supposition that 

 the clearing is being looked after by the manager of an adjoining 

 property. In the case of an estate of considerable acreage being con- 

 cerned this item would be chargeable at Rs. 10 per acre per annum al- 

 through. 



Buildings. — I make no estimate for Factory. Superintendent's 

 Bungalow, &c, though both would be required. Superintendent's 

 bungalow could be built for about Rs. 2,000. 



It is useless at the present stage of the industry to make an estimate 

 for a Factory, as the invention of suitable machinery, which is sure to 

 follow during the next year or two, will revolutionise the curing of 

 Rubber, It would probably be safe, however, to allow at the rate of 

 Rs. 50 per acre as the cost of the building only. 



Coast Advances. — I have charged as an ordinary item of expend- 

 iture. It is only fair to do so, as it is an item which, though slightly 

 varying in amount, is never absent, and is just as really a charge on 

 the estate as Superintendence or any other item and should be recog- 

 nised as such. The amount Rs. 2,400 would probably be exceeded 

 from and after the sixth year on tapping operations commencing. 



E. GORDON REEVES. 



Wiltshire, 



Matale, October 10, l'J05. 



