54 THE WHOLE ART OF RUBBER-GROWING 



his ground in such a manner as to ensure a long 

 bole to every tree, and a vigorous use of the 

 pruning-knife to all growth that threatens to 

 develop early branches will be necessary. This 

 should be done when the tree is " resting " and 

 the leaf falling. It sometimes occurs that here and 

 there an individual tree will exhibit signs of stagna- 

 tion of growth in the bole whilst at the same time a 

 vigorous development of the lower branches is ap- 

 parent. When this happens the soil should be re- 

 moved from the base of the plant and the roots, 

 which consist of a number of bulbous, starch-filled 

 textures, examined. All those which have developed 

 the slightest deformity should be cut out and the soil 

 replaced. Root-tapping and root-pruning in this 

 way is also a fine and certain corrective to trees that 

 have grown stubborn and refuse to give their latex, 

 which now and again happens in cases where the 

 Manihot is living in over-rich or over-damp soil. 

 At this stage, and right onward until the tree is 

 2.\ years old, light manuring with potash mixtures 

 ;md kainit is to be recommended. 



The Manihot Glaziovii, like all good rubber trees, 

 does not in the early stage of its growth relish a 

 strong wind, and where this is persistent for any 

 length of time the plant will often refuse to yield. 

 To obviate this, an excellent plan is to plant clumps 

 of the tree on the windward side of the plantation, 

 and thin out to the usual distances when the trees 

 have attained a sturdy stature. Where the 

 land has been originally forest a narrow belt of 



