337 
used by the Ningpo women are procured locally. It is possible 
that the Canton shavings may be produced by a similar tree, but 
I cannot vouch for it. I will procure fruiting and flo owerin g 
specimens this year, if possible, but the nearest tree I know of is 
a long way off. 
Yours sincerely, 
(Signed) G. M. H. PLAYFAIR. 
Stooling of gutta percha.—The question whether the tree 
yielding gutta percha (Dichopsis Gutta, Benth.,) will prounoo 
shoots from the stump after the tree has been felled is of so 
practical gutem It appears now to have been Sosa p 
in the affirmativ 
EXTRACT ‘cee letter from Director, Gardens and Forest 
Department, Singapore, dated July 3, 1897. 
Re Prof. Ramsay’s letter about apto i of *Getah percha.” The 
tree always o comes up again when cut down. It can be cut to 
Were it not for this there would hardly be a single specimen in 
ko country. It grows slowly in this manner, but never fails to 
up aga 
ST isa vay t troublesome plant to propagate by cuttings, but this 
can be don 
Argentine palm kernels—The  palm-kernels to which the 
following communication relates, were identified at Kew as those 
of Acrocomia sclerocarpa. This is known as the Gru or Macaw 
alm, It isa native of Jamaica and otio West India islands, and of 
South America from Brazil southwards. The nuts do not hitherto 
appear to have been turned to any use, though their shell, which 
is very hard, has been sometimes used for carving. 
African Association, Limited. 
35a, Castle Street, Laces 
DEAR SIR, ^ n 
My Board instruct me to ask the favour of some Lp ee 
from your department in regard to a considerable quantity of 
kernels lately arrived at this port from the Argentine atic. 
They are informed that a very large tract of country produces the 
ri 
y desirous to get what information they can in respect to 
this new competing product Can you for their information be 
so kind as to say, is the palm of the Argentine region a true oil- 
palm, and would the fruit or kernel of this palm be likely to 
compare closely, or differ considerably in oily product, from that 
in which this Company is interested. 
Yours faithfully, 
(Signed) J. HAMPDEN JACKSON, 
Secretary. 
The Director, 
Royal Gardens, Kew. 
