173 s 
of India, acting on the advice of the Inspector-General of Forests, who 
had consulted the local officers (Messrs. McKee and Campbell), decided 
in 1894, that the further extension of the plantation was not advisable 
because a considerable amount of expense would be inearred, and there 
was a great doubt whether the expenditure would prove remunerative ; 
and Qu OE because, even if it were remunerative, many years must 
elapse before any profits could be obtained. My observations and an 
examination of the plantation and of the faets connected with the rubber 
supply of the future ae not justify the expoctetion that the Govern- 
A ‘ive followed Mr. McKee as Conservator in Assam, 
are more hopsti e financial prospects of the plantation and express 
doubts as to the Wisdoi of the orders passed, I venture to put forward 
‘a further forecast of results which it seems to me may be safel 
anticipate 
In the first place, the cost of establishing the plantation was estimated 
in 1879 at Rs. 36 per acre. Mr. McKee "s estimate of 1893 was Rs. 50. 
Mr. sayis was of Tas that Rs. 20 ERF suffice for paning out an 
acre, and adding Rs. 10 for maintenance the cost wo Rs. 30. 
r. Home's estimate is Rs. 4U an acre for planting with maintenance. 
; In my opinion this cost-rate will suffice and should not be exceeded, and 
where open s ag are oe as in 1892-93, the cost may ke —À 
at Rs. 30. Mr. Ho: able to show that, exclusive of Rs. 34,000 
spent on experiments, Te exlitiag plantation has cost Rs. 56 per acre, 
and with the experience gains ie can be iittle doubt but that 
operations will be cheaper in the fut 
The prospective yield of the entails is discussed at length in 
paragraphs 9 to 15 of Mr. McKee’s report, but it would seem that some 
assumptions have been male too unfavourable f the plantation. 
Trees have been put out in the older compartments 100 feet by 25 
feet apart or to the number of 17 trees to the aere. In the younger 
esce ts the trees are spaced 70 feet by 35 feet or 18 to the acre. 
+ feet, e 
square yards. This is apparently a mistake for 770 square yards, and 
as now planted, the wem might have an average diameter of crown of 
TY’ 4+- 35’ 
L T = 568 feet end cover 245 square yards. I think it may 
reasonably be held that more than eight trees, but with a less superficial 
area than g- 605 square yards, will be permanently maintained. 
But admitting that an acre with eight trees or more will only yield 40- 
seers at a tapping, which may be repeated every five years, the net 
value of the rubber is very mach understated by Mr. McKee. Instead 
of Rs. 50 it o: be Rs. 80 per maund, and the return per aere per 
annum t es Rs. 16 instead of «d 10. If the Rs. 40 initial 
agri are taken at t 50. years at 34 per cent. compound interest to mount 
up to Rs. 220 and interest at 34 per vii pud on this t of the Rs. 16, 
there would still be a net return of Rs. 8 per acre per an 
n order to ascertain what prospect of yield the plantation gives at 
beoag I had four good trees tapped. ‘Their age is 18 or possibly 20 
years, as the old trees date from 1875, ane re first compartments were 
only ‘successfully planted in their pres completeness in 1877-8. 
They yielded repeciv 23, 21, 11 E 48 chittacks (approximately 
equivalent to 3, 3, 1} and 6 Ibs s.) 
i U 94047. B 
