553 



Iplow it, and sometimes much lower down. It is advisable to 

 remove all the lowest shoots in this case, and leave only one or 

 two at the top. The greatest risk to the plants is from the wet and 

 fungus attacking the cut top, and eating downwards. This seldom 

 happens in the case of stumps an inch or so through at the top, but 

 is not common in really big stumps. Care must be taken in cutting 

 the tops oft to cut a clean smooth, and by preference, sloping sur- 

 face. No splits in the top must be allowed. 



Planting by stumps is especially useful where for any reason the 

 ground for the future plantation cannot be got ready in time for 

 the planting out. The young trees can be grown close together 

 in a nursery for a whole year and then planted out as stumps. 



H. N. R. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



FICUS feLASTICA. 



To the Editor 



Agricultural Bulletin, Singapore. 



SiR, — I have read with much pleasure the notes on the 

 '' Rambong'' grown in Assam by the Indian Government. 



As I have seen this plantation it interests me all the more. 



The amount of rubber extracted from the trees must be a great 

 blow to the Indian Government as they told me they expected 

 from 2 to 6 Tbs. per tree at least. 



Mr. Copeland's report can be taken as true in every way, he 

 was there during my visit in 1896 and took immense interest in 

 the plantation. 



I fancy Mr. Mann's figure of trees planted in lines 100 feet apart 

 and cleared for a width of 40 feet must be wrong unless this is a 

 new system, as if the trees were only 25 feet apart it would allow 

 for little growth, Jo x 35' is what I remember as correct which I 

 believe gives 1 7 trees per acre. 



A point which I wish our planters to notice is that the crown 

 diameter measurements run up as high as 100 feet. Of course I 

 do not say all trees will grow so big but it seems to point to the 

 fact that one chain apart is probably near enough. 



The system of cutting lines in our jungles I have given a good 

 trial to and am convinced it is a mistake, so much so, that after 

 planting this way and finding the growth of the plants almost nil, 

 I clear felled 60 acres and after reclearing the lines and putting in 

 fresh plants " (where the others had been killed by the falling 

 trees)" the result was at once evident, the sun an 1 light brought 

 on the plants and this block of land can now compare favourably 

 with any other I have planted. 



Although the Assam soil is very good, our growth for Ficus 

 Elastica is fully equal to anything they can show us, and as per 

 Mr. Derry's figures they are not in the same street with them as in 

 regard to yield. This may be in a way accounted for bv the long 



