80 
the dry. The whole country is covered with dense moist forests, 
and the soil near the numerous and gigantic rivers is deep, heavy, 
and very fertile. During the wet season much of the low-lying 
country near the Amazon's mouths is flooded. In the gapos near 
Para, visited by Mr. Cross, he found: a flat district only three or 
te : 
as 80 or 100 feet high, and very damp and unhealthy, the soil 
full of moisture and ver s rich and fertile. The young plants, 
however, were not often observed io grow actually within the 
reach of the tides, but it is ere that they must occasionally be 
partially covered with w 
PROPAGATION, 
The most convenient means for propagating Para rubber trees 
is by seeds. As might be expected, seeds are difficult to collect 
in the dense growth of the Amazonian reni There is, further, 
other 
ma f i 
a period of three or four weeks. Seeds forwarded from Ceylon 
ew in canvas bags have germinated to the extent of 95 per 
cent. If special precautions are necessary, the 
i 
sometimes experienced in despatching Para rubber seeds is due to 
the fact that the seeds have not been quite fresh when packed: 
It is absolutely necessary that they be packed within a day or two 
of the time they have been gathered. Where this is done the 
seeds, if sound, should bear transport for three weeks at least. 
The other method of propagating the tree is by cuttings. These 
cuttings may be taken from the green lateral Ais =y soon as they 
begin to harden ; they strike readily i in rich firm r. Cross 
(p. 8) observes that “for planting on inundated en the period 
would be required in this case, the lower ends of which should 
be sliced off in the form of a wedge. The workman could take a 
bundle of these, and wading into the water would plant at proper 
distances, but perfectly upright, taking care to push each cutting 
same rule would be applicable when planting in sludge or soft 
marsh land. The crowns of the cuttings must not, if possible, be 
put $e water, as the young growths springing therefrom migh 
Seeds will n 
circumstances and conditions, slight changes and modifications in 
the methods of working will no doubt suggest themselves. . . 
noted, apply only to the Amazon re on. In other parts of the 
world Para trees have been bata aai impatient of floods, and 
