264 
acre. The cost of harvesting should not be more than Rs. 50 per 
acre, in tas carriage to London. This leaves a margin of 
8. per acre, representing a return of 27 per cent. upon the 
original outlay ; if 12 per cent. be allowed for contingencies and 
the usual vicissitudes of a tropical cultivation, there remains still 
a prospect of a good return on the capital expended.” 
PARA RUBBER IN INDIA. 
The climate of Bengal, where there is a distinct cold season, 
was soon found to be unsuitable for the cultivation of Hevea 
brasiliensis. After experimental efforts in other parts of India it 
was ultimately decided to establish rubber plantations at Mergui 
in Lower Burma, and Nilambur in Southern India. In accordance 
with the mig d apnd with the Government of India a first lot of 
plants propagated at Ceylon was despatched to vete in 1878. 
These consisted of 500 rooted cuttings. In 1887 there was sent a 
further consignment of plants and ioci To N ‘haber from 1878 
to 1887 rooted cuttings and stumps were for Adar d, as well as 
in 1885 
Malabar prodaci ng regular supplies of seed. The introduction of 
Hevea brasiliensis trees into India has therefore been successfully 
ege shed. 
a letter received from the India Office, dated the 
iie September, 1888, the following memorandum was enclosed 
containing an account of the result of the dr génibimól cultivation 
of Hevea brasiliensis in Burma. 
NOTE on the cultivation of Hevea brasiliensis in the Tenasserim 
Forest Circle, by Colonel W. J. Seaton, Conservator of Forests, 
dated 24th April, 1888. 
Early Experiments —Experiments on a small scale were com- 
mg at ou in 1877, with eo seedlings, the survivors of 
all batch received from Dr. King, Superintendent of the 
pen Botanical dardani, Calcutta. 
They were successfully set out in the Forest Office compound 
at Mergui, and although on a low hill, a not very desirable site, 
yet their growth was for some time satisfactory. 
n 1879, a large number of Hevea plants, believed to be well- 
sonal cuttings, were forwarded by Dr. Thw waites, Director of the 
Royal Botanical Gardens, Ceylon, che although in the charge of 
M Te who had been sent to Ceylon for special instructions, 
only 178 survived the voyage. ese were set out in. 3 e 
plantation area selected, about 1j mile inland from Mergui 
pauio: low ground drained by the sources of the Boke QU 
small tidal creek. 
Only 64 of the healthiest pn survived the planting opera- 
tion, and of these again casualties continued to take place Jur 
owing chiefly to attacks of idis ants, until the number wa 
