168 THE AFRICAN RUBBER TREE 



require to be tapped continuously, but only once or twice 

 a year, and there is the further advantage that they can 

 be grown in situations which are too dry for Para trees. 



The methods adopted for cultivating Funtumia trees 

 and the improved methods of preparing the rubber Avhich 

 have been introduced are described in the folloAving 

 account : 



Raising the Plants. — The plants are usually grown 

 from seed, of which the trees produce large quantities. 

 If carefully preserved, the seeds will retain their vitality 

 for two or even three months, but it is desirable to sow 

 them as soon as possible after collection. Well-drained 

 seed-beds, consisting of a mixtm-e of good soil and leaf 

 mould, are prepared in a sheltered position, and the seeds 

 are sown a few inches apart and lightly covered with 

 fine soil. The beds are kept watered, and, if necessary, 

 shaded from the sun. Germination usually takes place 

 in from three to four weeks after sowing ; and when the 

 seedlings are about 4 in. high, they are transferred to 

 nursery beds or are planted singly in baskets made of 

 banana leaves or similar material. The young plants 

 require to be regularly watered and provided with shade 

 from the dnect rays of the sun. When from six to nine 

 months old they may be planted out, and it is desirable 

 that this operation should be performed at the beginnmg 

 of the rainy season, so that the plants are not exposed to 

 di'ought after bemg placed in position. Holes are made 

 in the usual way for the reception of the plants, 1 ft. 

 square and 1 ft. deep if the soil is good, and 2 ft. square 

 and Ih ft. deep if poorer. 



In Southern Nigeria the plan has been tried of trans- 

 ferring the seedlings direct to the plantation and erecting 

 a shade over each until the young plants have become 

 well established. This method has given very successful 

 results and has been largely adopted in forming the native 

 commimal plantations of Funtumia trees. 



Formation of Plantations. — Several methods of culti- 

 vating Funtumia trees have been tried. In some cases 

 parallel lines have been cleared in the forest and the 

 Funtumia trees planted at regular intervals in the clear- 

 ings. This plan, hoAvevcr, is not satisfactory, owing to 

 the fact that under these conditions the growth of the 

 trees is very slow. Another method was to clear the 



