MIXOR PRODUCTS OF CEYLON 507 



betel-chewing is "advantageous to a people of whose ordinary 

 food Hesh forms no part, and that it is at once the antacid, the tonic, 

 and the carminative which they require." The plants require a 

 rich humus moist soil and a partially shaded situation. They are 

 readily propagated by cuttings, which are planted against poles, 

 trellises or tree trunks for supports. In Bengal and Northern India, 

 the plant is cultivated in low sheds or "betel houses." 



I ARIETIES. In addition to the ordinary type, the following varieties are 

 known in Ceylon: " Rata bulath-vel " or " Siribo bulath ; " " Xaga walli-bulath " 

 (with variegated leaves), and %v Getatodu bulath." 



Camphor; Kapuru-gas, S. (Cinnaniomiun Camphora. Laura- 

 ceae). A moderate sized much-branched tree, native of Formosa, 

 Southern China and Japan, yielding by distillation of the wood, 

 twigs, leaves or roots the camphor of commerce. Camphor is 

 used largely in the manufacture of celluloid, xylonite, smokeless 

 gun-powder, and in the preparation of disinfectants and medi- 

 cines. The world's supply at present (approximately 5,180 tons) 

 comes almost entirely from Formosa. The tree, however, is 

 commonly cultivated in Japan and S. China. Grown for seed, it 

 takes 20 years to become fruitful. The season for the seed 

 is in November. In recent years, Camphor cultivation was intro- 

 duced into Ceylon, South India, California and Hawaii. The 

 Camphor tree, however, has been established at Peradeniya since 

 1852. In 1893, experiments were begun at Hakgala Gardens, 

 Ceylon, in the systematic cultivation of the product, plants being 

 raised from seed imported from Japan for distribution to the 

 planters. The tree, though naturally a sub-tropical one, is adapted 

 to a wide range of climate and soils. In Ceylon it has been found 

 to grow well under varying conditions of climate, as at Galle, 

 Anuradhapura, and Peradeniya; but the most uniform and vigorous 

 growth occurs at the higher elevations, as at Hakgala, on fairly 

 good and well-drained soil. Some Camphor plantations have been 

 successfully established in Ceylon in recent years at elevations of 

 from 3,000 to 5.000 feet, but the slump in the price of the product 

 has rendered the cultivation unprofitable. Here also the tree is 

 sometimes planted as a wind-belt, for which it is well adapted. 

 About 1.000 acres were estimated to be under Camphor in -Ceylon 

 in 1908, the export for that year being nearly 15 cwt., valued at 

 Rs. 3.075. In cultivation, the trees have to be coppiced to a height 

 of about 4 to 5 feet, in order to obtain successive clippings; there- 

 fore they may be planted at distances of about 6 ft. apart each way, 

 giving about 1,210 trees per acre; in the third or fourth year they 



