164 



There is reason to believe as Mr. ARDEN suggests that other kinds 

 may do better. (Egyptian seed obtained from the West Indies 

 and planted in the Botanic Gardens, Singapore, was a practical 

 failure, but that from Mr. PRITCHARD who liberally distributed it 

 did better— Ed.) 



(Having visited the Gardens myself last February, I may say that 

 Mr. ARDEN has done a great deal towards forming an establish- 

 ment which should prove of the greatest utility to the country, in 

 spite of more difficulties than usual in starting a garden of this 

 character — Ed.) 



IMPORTS & EXPORTS OF THE FEDERATED 

 MALAY STATES IN 1903. 



Mr. STUART in his annual report on the imports and exports 

 for 1903 in the Malay States, shows an increase in imports 

 of rice in all the States, in Perak 6,500 bags, in Selangor 

 r 08,000 pikuls, in Negri Sembilan 6,330 pikuls over last year, and 

 an increase in the import of beans and peas of 31,500 pikuls in 

 Perak and 13,300 pikuls in Selangor. Exports of Gambier decreased 

 by 3,000 pikuls, Copra fell in value but increased in quantity by 

 1,000 pikuls. Guttas of all kinds (unfortunately the different kinds 

 are not specified and apparently the item includes Rubbers) rose 

 in value and quantity, Pahang supplying §53,000 dollars worth, an 

 increase of §19,000 on last year and Selangor supplying 813,000 

 as against less than §1,000 worth in 1902. The difference in quan- 

 tity is less however than this would imply as the rise was chiefly 

 in price for the export for 1902 was 531 pikuls against: 625 in T903. 



Rattans and timber showed a substantial rise, chiefly due to sup- 

 plies from Pahang. Sugar and rice from Perak dec reased in bulk 

 though the value of the sugar exported increased. Rice decreased 

 by 12,700 pikuls. 



Coffee exports slightly increased though the price fell. 



Pepper also decreased in Selangor by 1,300 pikuls, in Negri 

 Sembilan by 3,600 pikuls. 



Tapioca exports decreased in all the States except Perak (un- 

 altered] and Pahang an increase of 3,200 pikuls. The export of 

 Betel-nuts increased from Perak and from Negri Sembilan but 

 fell off from the other States, notably from Pahang. The export of 

 Indigo from Perak and Selangor increased also a little. 



Generally speaking there appears to have been a decrease in the 

 native cultivator's produce, and an increase in jungle produce, due 

 doubtless to the increasingly careful administration of the Fores* 

 Department. The increase both of imports and exports in Pahang 

 is interesting as showing the steady development of that part of the 

 Country. 



Ed. 



