255 
A large number of estates in the low-country have now plantations 
of ms seedling trees, and some must be themselves producing 
see 
“ As far back as 1882 I urged on Government the desirability of 
forming large plantations of this valuable ei in the South of the 
island, but as at that time there was no Fore bise here, 
nothing was done. Again, in 1888, after the ovd bio roe of 
the quality of rubber cunc by Ceylon-grown trees, I again 
advocated this cultivation by Government, and in the next year, 
planting this was made, the Gardens supplying 9,000 e Ad the 
purpose, followed in 1891 by 20,000 seeds an nd 2 0 d 
plants, and in 1892 by 30,000 seeds. We have had no Aram for 
any further supply, but I understand it is the intention of Govern- 
ment to form another plantation this year 
* Mr. F. Lewis, of the Forest Department (under whose charge 
the plantation is aves has epe given me à full report of the 
de dod of the from which I extract the following 
particulars. The land pen in May, 1890, is at a place called 
Edangoda, on the north bank of the Kaluganga River, and is under 
100 feet above sea-level. It is 20 acres in extent ; the rain-fall is 
del werk approximately 150-170 inches per annum. At that 
8 belie 
Q 
the river was in flood. It was, however, found that three days’ 
flooding was vilnédimi to oeiy kill all the young plants, and 
after a second trial in the next year, with the same result, this 
portion of the land was EA ed. The seedlings, in the small 
bamboo baskets in which they had been raised, were planted out 
at intervals of 12 feet. In 1891 further land was selected at a 
place called Xa, 37 cap in extent, at a rather higher level 
same river, and not liable t o flood, being raised i in the 
printed. and the seed nro biet pres iaecomilty poriniti 
* Measurements taken recently (December 1894) of average 
sample plots from each plantation give the following mean girth, 
at 3 feet from the groun 
At Edangoda (4 years old) average of 100 trees... dk iss re ins. 
3 iy H 50 " oe n ... 45 * 
5 (d 21 X E NL. s. n MN. 
At idus eh e 2) " 108 ,, on western slope 9,37 ,, 
2 au » 108 , on eastern slope 9.13 ,, 
the KT sane in the last measurements being due to amount of 
* My firs t experimental tapping was made in October, 1882, of 
five trees, then six years old; and about 23 ounces only of dr ry 
