324 ON THE PLANT AFFORDING CEARA INDIA-RUBBER. 



nently. In some situations where the ground is rough and strong 

 they might be sown broadcast. Meantime I would suggest the 

 formation of plantations by cuttings, which will take root as easily 

 as a willow. These should be taken from the points of strong 

 shoots, and may be one foot in length. In planting, each cutting 

 may be put down in the soil to a depth of six inches. If scarce, 

 the entire shoot may be cut into pieces, each possessing a bud, all 

 of which will grow if covered with half-an-inch or so of soil. On 

 loose sandy soils or exhausted coffee land, plantations may be 

 formed at little expense. Hard dry gravelly wastes, if found to 

 support any kind of bush, are also suitable sites. Holes might be 

 made in strong land with an iron jumper, and a stout cutting put 

 into each, and filled with pebbies. On bare or thinly-covered 

 portions of rock, the cuttings might be laid down flat, and a little 

 heap of stones or any kind of debris, about the size of a molehill, 

 piled over each, care being taken that the extreme point of each 

 cutting with a bud is left uncovered. I do not advocate planting 

 in an entirely barren desert, but wherever there is any sort of 

 stunted tree or scrub vegetation, with an occasional sprinkling 

 from a monsoon shower, the tree is likely to prosper.' 



" Experience of the plant in the botanic garden here has proved 

 the general accuracy of the above remarks. There can be no 

 doubt of the hardiness of the species, its readiness of culture, and 

 adaptability to circumstances. It grows equally readily from seed 

 or from cuttings, and, though a native of a tropical sea-level, 

 thrives well here in Ceylon up to at least a level of 3000 feet, and 

 on the most barren soils. It has succeeded equally in Calcutta and 

 Madras, but the wet season appears to have killed it at Singapore. 

 It would seem especially adapted for the dry and barren districts 

 of our Eastern and Northern Provinces, or in the higher districts ; 

 but it would not be wise to risk it in localities where the tempera- 

 ture is liable to fall below 60° F. 



" Germination of Seed.— The seed-coat is of remarkable thickness 

 and very hard, and the natural process of germination occupies a 

 long period— it is said more than a year. All that is necessary to 

 hasten this, if desired, is to assist the seed-coat in splitting. This 

 is best effected by holding the seed firmly, and rasping off with a 

 file both edges at the radicular end.- It is best not to file off the 

 actual end, as it may thus easily happen that the radicle of the 

 embryo may be injured. After this treatment, properly performed, 

 the young plant appears above ground in two or three weeks. 

 The seedlings require no particular attention. They grow rapidly, 

 and may be finally planted out at distances of twenty feet. A 

 peculiarity which they share with their close relative the mandioc 

 is the possession of large tubers on the spreading roots. The trees 

 at Peradeniya, from which seed has been distributed to Burmah, 

 India, Jamaica, &c, flowered at the age of eighteen months; and 

 at the pi sent time (at 2£ years) the larger ones form branching 

 treesjibout 25 feet or 80 feet high, with a stem 1 foot 9 inches in 



* 'I'liis end is to be recognized externally by \» sessing nt its side a Hut two* 

 lobed appendage technically known as the caruncle. 



