1 63 



quantity of oil, was obtained, while on the average the yield amounted 

 to I '5 per cent, on the fresh prunings, and it is upon this basis esti- 

 mate may now fairly be made. The yield is somewhat lower than 

 that from twigs of old trees in Japan, which give 2*21 per cent, and ' 

 much lower than the average from the whole tree, viz., 4*22 per cent. 



From these experiments the cause of the comparatively low yields 

 previously obtained was discovered, and in practice it should now be 

 possible to secure the camphor without loss. Another detailed cir- 

 cular will. shortly be issued on the subject by the R. B. Gardens, 

 but meanwhile I propose to briefly describe the method of planting 

 and the precaution necessary in the distillation, if successful results 

 are to be obtained. 



The Seed from Japan. 



Up to the present camphor has been raised almost entirely from 

 seed from Japan, plants from cuttings not being readily raised in 

 Ceylon. 



The seed is round, black, and the size of a vetch or sweet pea, 

 about 7,000 going to a pound. The germination is frequently very 

 irregular, but seed obtained in November should have a germination 

 of 50 to 60 per cent. ; though in some cases hardly a plant has been 

 obtained from several pounds. 



The seeds should be sown as soon as possible after receipt, first 

 soaking them in water for 24 or 48 hours, and separating the heavier 

 ones from those that float. The beds should be v carefully prepared 

 and protected from insects and vermin, as the seeds are very liable 

 to be eaten. The soil should be a free sandy loam, with a good 

 proportion of leaf mould, and well drained. The seed may also be 

 germinated in pure sand or waste fibre, or Jadoo fibre, and any care 

 given at this stage would be well repaid. 



It should be sown about three quarters of an inch deep, and the 

 beds well shaded to preserve an even degree of moisture, which is 

 essential for germination. 



The seedlings should, when 3" to 4" high, be picked out into well- 

 prepared soil in supply baskets, and kept shaded and watered until 

 they begin to grow, when the shade can be gradually removed to 

 accustom them to the full sun. 



When 9" to 15" high they are at their best for planting out, but 

 may remain in the nursery until 2' or more if the weather is not 

 suitable It is needless to point out the necessity of' waiting for 

 suitable planting-weather rather than run the risk of losing them 

 altogether, but, if dry weather should occur after planting out, thick- 

 ly mulching the soil round the plant with any available organic 

 matter will do almost as well as watering to keep them going until 

 the rains fall. Mr. NOCK has tried making cuttings from suitable 

 branches, but not very successfully, as if too dry they soon shrivel 

 up, and too wet and cold they decay before the roots are formed. 

 These attempts were made at Hakgala, and possibly better success 

 would be obtained at lower elevations and in a warmer climate. 



