210 



furnished, and when the experiments which have already been 

 initiated have yielded results. 



The Association confidently hopes that in the future this Dapart- 

 ment may, when properly equipped, prove of great help in the 

 progress of the profitable cultivation of rubber and other products. 

 Rubber. 



The opening up of new t 

 during the year, and the 

 maximum that can be undertaken with the available labour supply. 



Our latest census returns show that there are 52, 43 *acres in 

 cultivation in the Federated Malay States of which 49,033 are 

 under rubber. The total area of land in private hands is 153,150 

 acres, and in most cases estates reserves are being planted up as 

 quickly as circumstances permit. 



The full returns as far as collected by the Association are em- 

 bodied in this report. 



The output for the year which amounted to 376^ tons, is very 

 much in excess of the estimate, and there now appears to be little 

 doubt that the yield from cultivated rubber will be very much 

 greater than was anticipated a short time ago. 



During the year the Federated Malay States have kept well m 

 the foreground as regards improved methods of rubber curing, and 

 great credit is due to Mr. Pears of Lanadron Estate, a member 

 of your Association, for having lead the way in the preparation ot 

 block rubber, which there is every indication, will prove to be the 

 form in which all our rubber will be eventually turned out. 



An uniform method of output will be of the greatest advantage 

 to the whole of the producing interest, and it is to be hoped tfiai 

 it will soon be definitely known in which form the trade prefer to 

 deal in our rubber. 



Very large exports of seed have been made during the year to 

 Java, Sumatra and other neighbouring States. 



Your Committee are glad to report that no serious pest has yet 

 made its appearance on Hevea Brasiliensis and it is to be nop 

 that the first appearance of any pest will be at once reported 

 the Agricultural Department. k 



Ficus elastica on some estates suffered from a very severe £tto 

 of caterpillars and there seems to be little doubt that this van 

 of the rubber yielding trees is less suitable to our climate than 

 Hevea, through being more liable to insect pests, and to its n 

 so far yielded very disappointing results from tapping as corny 

 with those obtained from Hevea. 



Land Tenure. 



This question continues to be watched with the greatest dis 

 by all, who a re interested in the Planting Industry^^^___^ 



* The Director of Agricultures r.Wnc .how 60. W acres as planted. 



