[ 45 1 



some cuttings (e. g. those of mulberry, cassava and sugar-cane) 

 are known to retain their vitality for more than a month kept 

 in a damp and shady place. Where there is uncertainty, the 

 additional precaution, of dipping the fresh cuttings in camphor 

 water immediately before planting, should be taken. 



783. The Gootee system of propagation.-^ This is an- 

 other method which is commonly employed in this country 

 for propagating orange trees, India rubber trees (Ficus 

 Elastica) &c. Hundreds of goatees may be formed on 

 one tree without doing the tree much harm. At the 

 commencement of the rainy season, healthy and mature 

 stems are chosen, and a ring of bark, i to 3 inches in length 

 according to the thickness of the stem chosen, cut out. The 

 bark should be cut out immediately below a leaf-bud. A ball 

 of clay made sufficiently plastic by working it well between 

 the palms is then put round the ring-barked portion, so as to 

 completely cover it. 



784. Pruning. Experience alone can decide for each 

 class of fruit trees, whether annual pruning of branches, or 

 pruning every alternate year, or root-pruning, best answers for 

 encouraging the growth of fruits. In the case of mangoes root- 

 pruning has been found more useful than branch-pruning. In 

 the case of mulberry trees grown for leaves for silkworms, 

 pruning of branches every alternate year has been found the 

 most economical way of dealing with them. 



CHAPTER LXXXI. 



INDIA-RUBBER AND GUTTAPEjRCttA. 



> T < HE annual consumption of India rubber in the world is 



about 60,000 tons valued at Rs. 100 per maund. Great 



Britain imports the largest quantity. The principal sources of 



India-rubber are Africa, Central and South America, Ceylon, 



