2^0 



and are exported mixed as Gutta Percha. Inferior Guttas chiefly 

 Jelutong or "East India Gum" (yet another name apparently for 

 this product) were exported to the extent of 206,500 pikuls, an 

 increase of 22,500 pikuls. This came from Borneo and Sumatra. 

 The increased demand was by the United States. 



• -Para Rubber amounted to 1,658 pikuls (over 221,000 lbs.) as 

 against 88 pikuls in 1904. From the Federated Malay States and 

 Colony came 1,080 pikuls from Selangor, 188 from Port Dickson, 

 43 from Perak, 154 from Johor and Malacca 42 pikuls. Penang 

 imported 232 pikuls from Perak. This rubber was sent to the 

 United Kingdom i,457i pikuls, to Ceylon 85^, to the United States 

 38, and to Denmark 38^. 



Preserved Pines increased; 548,000 cases valued at 2§ million 

 dollars were sent off, an increase of 100,000 cases, and §318,000. 

 The increased demand was for the United States, China, Germany 

 and Australia. 



Gambier exports declined, this product shows a continuous fall 

 year by year. 



TWO NEW PUBLICATIONS ABOUT 

 FICUS ELASTIC A. 



An account of Ficus elastica, its natural growth and artificial pro- 

 pagation by E. M. Coventry forms the subject of Forest Bulletin 

 No. 4, of Calcutta. It is a pamphlet of 35 pages illustrated with three 

 photographs of the Rambong tree and methods of tapping it. The 

 notes are made on the plant as cultivated and wild in Burmah and 

 Assam. It is interesting to know that it grows best in Burmah at an 

 altitude of 2,500 to 3,500 feet, and grows in abundance in the Lonau- 

 hills at an altitude of 5,200 feet, and even may survive severe winter 

 frosts. It is said to require perfect drainage about the roots and 

 looseness of soil, plenty of light and a hot steamy atmosphere. Gravel 

 or sand does not suit it as the collectors say it produces less rubber 

 in such soil. Nor will it thrive in swamp v land even when planted 

 on mounds, nor does it grow well in grass land where there are no 

 trees. Propagation by cuttings is described but it is said that these 

 do not throw out aerial roots, and marcots (or as they are called 

 in Burmah gooties) do not seem to be very successful in Burmah, 

 though they certainly have done very well in the Malay Peninsula. 

 Seedlings planted in forks of trees has proved too expensive and not 

 very satisfactory, and on split stumps or mounds seemrd the best 

 method. Seed from young trees will not germinate and those from 

 over 20 years old are what is required. It is gathered from beneath 

 the trees when the birds are feeding on them, the bird droppings as 

 well as the ripe figs being swept up each day. For the seed which 

 has passed through birds is the best. (This is I believe the case in 

 the Waringin, Ficus Benjamina and other rigs which are difficult to 

 raise though seedlings from bird droppings readily come up every- 



