167 
and Campbell), decided in 1891, that the further extension of the 
plantation was not advisable because a considerable amount of 
expense would be incurred, and there was a great doubt whether 
the expenditure would prove remunerative ; and further because, 
n if it were remunerative, many years must elapse before any 
supply of the future may not justify the expectation that the 
Government will reconsider their decision of ; but be both 
Mr. Smythies and Mr. Home, who have followed Mr. 
Conservator in Assam, are more hopeful of the financial addis 
orders passed, I venture to put forward a further forecast of 
results ici it seems to me may be safely anticipated. 
In the first place, the cost of a ty the plantation was 
estimated in 1879 at Rs. 36 per acre. Mr. McKee’s estimate of 
1893 was Rs. 50. Mr. Smythies was “of opinion that Rs. 20 would 
suffice for planting out an acre, and adding Rs. 10 for maintenance 
the cost would be Rs. 30. Mr Home’s estimate is Rs. 40 an acre 
for planting with maintenance. In my opinion this cost-rate will 
suffice and should not be exceeded, and where open lands are 
planted as in 1892-93, the cost may be jp sa at Rs. 30. Mr. 
Home is able to show that, exclusive of Rs. 34,000 spent on 
experiments, the existing plantation has cost Rs. 50 per acre, and 
with the experience gained there Pan be little doubt but that 
operations will be cheaper in the futur 
The prospective yield of the plantation i is eges at length in 
Le dim 9 to 15 of Mr. McKee’s report, but it would seem that 
ome €—— have been eii too dedisse Bg to the 
planini 
Trees have been put out in the older Sa pedar 100 feet by 
25 feet apart or to the number of 17 trees to the acre. In the 
younger compartments the trees are spaced 70 feet by 35 feet or 
18 to the acre. It has been assumed that half the trees would 
disappear and only seven or eight remain per acre, on the score 
that the average lateral oue of 50 natural trees being 94 feet, 
ihey cover an ave 980 square yards. This is apparently a 
mistake for 770 square — and as now planted, the trees might 
70’ + 35’ 
have an average diameter of crown of ———— = 53 feet and 
cover 245 square yards. I think it may Vests be held that 
more than eight trees, but with a less superficial area t 
"M — 605 square yards, will be permanently maintained. But 
perc that an aere with eight trees or more will only yield 40 
ersata tapping, which may be repeated every five years, the 
s — of the rubber is very much understated by Mr. McKee. 
Rs. 50 it should be Rs. 80 per maund, uid the return 
acre pe annum thus becomes Rs. = pot of Rs. 10. If re 
interest to mount up to Rs. 220 and patero at 34 per cent. uid 
on this out of the Rs. 16, there would still be a riet return of Rs. 
per acre per annum. 
