55i 



Louchodes breerpes, Gray, is a long rather slender plain brown 

 stick-insect. It was caught on the Gutta plants, and as these in- 

 sects are leaf-eaters, it was probably devouring the leaves. 



REPORT ON THE BEAUMONT ESTATE 



By Mr. S, Arden, 



BATU TIGA, 

 Selangor, 2nd October, 1902 



Sir, — Acting under instructions conveyed in your letter No. Misc. 

 5960/02, I have the honour to inform you that I proceeded to Klang 

 on the 26th ultimo and in company with Mr. E. V. Carey, inspec- 

 ted the Beaumont Estate. The instructions received do not specify 

 any particular object in making this inspection, but I l<*arn from 

 Mr. Carf.y that it was with a view to enabling me to record my 

 opinion as to the suitability or otherwise, of the peculiar soil of this 

 district for the cultivation of Ficus e'astica (rambong), and my re- 

 marks are ttvtefore chiefly confined to this subject. 



2. The Estate is situated some 6h miles trom Klang by which it 

 is connected by a Government Road, within the reaches of a large 

 stretch of flat country, the soil of which is presumably of a similar 

 nature to that of the Estate under note. 



This soil is a peat of considerable depth, and I am informed that 

 clay has never been reached, although judging from the peat soils 

 ot other Estates in the neighbourhood, which have been opened 

 some time, fancy that in a very few years, a subsoil of clay will be 

 found within a few feet of the surface. 



3. The Estate is about 170 acres in extent, about 85 acres of 

 which are devoted to the cultivation of 1 rambong.' This may be 

 roughly divided into three sections: — (a) Trees 19 months old, 

 planted 30 feet by 30 feet (about 48 trees per acre) which weie 

 roughly estimated to average 16 feet in height and 24 feet through 

 the crown, a wonderful growth for trees of this age, approximating 

 that of trees twice the age when grown on hill land, though even 

 under these conditions the tree grows with great rapidity. 



(b) Trees 16 months old, the same distance apart, from 10-12 

 feet high and about 15 feet through the crown. 



(c) Trees about 12 months old, having an average height of 

 about 9-10 feet and a crown diameter of about 10 feet, also planted 

 30 feet by 30 feet. 



A comparison of the dimensions given above will shew that the 

 rate of growth is equal to about 10 inches in height and 15 inches 

 in diameter per mensem, which cannot be characterized otherwise 

 than as marvellous. The whole sheet of rubber presented a most 

 even appearance, the bright red stipules surrounding the unexpan- 

 ded leaves, contrasting with the deep green foliage and making a 

 perfect pi( ture, of luxuriant growth. 



In addition to the trees mentioned above, there are about 5 acres 

 of 3 ytar old trees, whose growth had been checked by fire some 

 time ago, but which are now looking remarkably healthy. 



