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of other species. The cultivation of C. arahica on a large scale 

 has long since ceased in Java because of the ravages of the parasite 

 Hemileia vastatrix. It was followed by Coffea liberica, and it by 

 Coffea robusta, which now produces the bulk of Java coffee. But 

 in the garden are also plants of at least a dozen other species or 

 hybrids. These have been introduced from the Congo region 

 and the Sudan in the hope that among them will be found, or 

 from them may be developed, a variety that will combine the 

 flavor of Coffea arahica with an immunity to Hemileia. 



Most of the plots of coffee are planted with some species of 

 legume between them for a catch-crop, and when older they are 

 shaded by small trees of the same family. Shade is necessary 

 to the coffee plants, and the leguminous trees furnish the protec- 

 tion and enrich the soil at the same time. The selection of the 

 proper shade-tree is a matter of considerable importance and 

 numerous species are on trial in the garden. The plant must grow 

 rapidly, to keep well above the coffee, must not make too dense a 

 shade, must have a spreading crown, and must be resistant to 

 disease and wind. Until recent years the dadap, Erythrina 

 indica, was in general use as a shade-tree, but it was lately attacked 

 by a fungus disease and has had to be replaced in many planta- 

 tions. At present Leucaena glauca is chiefly favored. This 

 American species, imported into Java from the Philippines, is 

 now grown even in Africa under the name of " Javaschatten- 

 baum." 



There is also a plot of India rubber, Ficus elastica, composed of 

 very old trees, covered with epiphytic ferns, and with a wonderful 

 display of prop roots. Its branches are always ascending, never 

 horizontal, and the prop roots always arise near the main trunk, 

 so that the plant assumes nothing of the true banyan habit. As 

 an illustration of prop roots, however, the plants excel anything 

 to be seen in the botanical garden. The trunks and branches are 

 always scarred with hundreds of oblique cuts, made in tapping 

 for rubber. None of these is fresh and the plot as a whole is 

 apparently neglected. In fact, most India rubber plantations 

 in Java are neglected, although they can be seen frequently from 

 the train windows. The species was always subject to disease, 



