229 



Camphor. — At the Batu Tiga Experimental Gardens, good results 

 were obtained from Camphor plants, the seed of which was obtained 

 from Japan in 1904. Mr. Arden calculates that the bushes would, 

 give about 3,000 lbs. leaves and young shoots to the acres, producing 

 30 lbs. of camphor valued at 40 shillings. Two or possibly three 

 crops might be gathered in a year. 



Coconuts. — The area under coconuts is estimated at 100,000 acres 

 of which 50,000 are in Perak. 



Forestry. — In Negri Sembilan a bad seeding year was experienced 

 Chengal and Merbau seeded well in Perak and Merbau in Selangor. 

 The camphor trees [Dryobalanops Camphor a) appears to have 

 seeded freely and it is reported that it reproduces itself well, the 

 seedlings being vigorous Giam; Meranti and Bintangor were also 

 good in Pahang. The idea that Chengal does not reproduce itself 

 freely is confirmed. The seedlings appear to die off by thousands. 



Selangor shows a decrease in timber owing to the large area of 

 lands alienated and the scarcity of timber outside reserves Pahang 

 showed a decrease of production of 12,000 tons of timber in the 

 Coast districts a rather serious falling off. These Coast districts 

 especially Rumpin river used to be the source of supply of the 

 grand timber Balau, Parinarium oblong if olium, a tree which seems 

 to have been almost exterminated. True Balau Timbt-r seems to be 

 quite unprocurable now, and I have rarely seen a tree of this kind 

 for many years. 



H. N. R. 



Exports from the Straits Settlements, 1905. 



Coffee declined by 29,000 piculs or nearly 32 per cent., and prices 

 fell continuously. Smaller supplies were received from the Federated 

 Malay States. Black Pepper rose by 24,000 pikuls or io^ percent., 

 but the average price fell 8f per cent. There was an increase from 

 Johor of 21,000 pikuls. White Pepper declined by 21,000 pikuls 

 or 20 per cent., the prices falling by 15 per cent. There were 

 increases from Borneo and Rhio but a falling off from Penang. 

 Sago decreased by 54 tons, though Pearl Sago increased by 19,000 

 pikuls. Betel-nuts increased to 48,270 tons, an increase of 58 per 

 cent. Supplies from Johor and Sumatra increased, and the exports 

 to Calcutta and French Indo-China increased. Cassia, Cloves and 

 Ginger increased, Cubebs and Mace declined. Nutmegs decreased 

 by less than 2,000 pikuls. Tapioca decreased more than \z\ per 

 cent. Till the middle of the year prices were poor, but later they 

 rose and were 43 percent, higher on the 31st of December than 

 they were in July. Copra increased enormously, chiefly from the 

 Dutch Islands, but also from Kelantan and Johor. Borneo and 

 India Rubber increased 14,000 pikuls, but Borneo rubber decreased 

 5 per cent, in value. Gutta Percha increased 7,413 pikuls but con- 

 siderable quantities of inferior Guttas are imported from Sumatra 



