554 



dry season up there which often dries up the young branches and 

 no doubt adversely injures the yield of the trees. 



I have also heard it whispered that the theft of rubber during 

 the tapping operations is enormous, it being very easy for the 

 natives to do this without detection ; especially so as the surround- 

 ing jungles contain indigenous trees in native territory. If this 

 was not so, what occasion to u^e coal tar to mark the Gove rnment 

 tapping cuts? but it is easy for the native to use tar also, perhaps 

 that has not struck the Ind an Government. 



I think I might mention that the Indian Government tried what 

 they called the " nature treatment " of Rambong and planted a 

 large area of forest land up in the branches of trees. I saw a 

 number of these plants still where they had been placed over 

 twenty years previously, but as far as I remember in only one case 

 had the roots reached the ground. I think the reason was they 

 sent out tender aerial roots which each dry season withered up and 

 died off so that every rainy season they had to make fresh efforts 

 which was never successful from say a height of 40 fc t. The 

 plant I mentioned as growing into the ground had been planted in 

 a fork only about 9 feet above ground. 



The planting of large plants 10 to 12 feet high on mounds is 

 unnecessary here if the area is clear felled and kept moderately 

 clean as we have very few deer to eat up the plants. 



Yours faithfully, 



A. B. STEPHENS. 



LABOUR SUPPLY. 



Vallambrosa Estate, Klang, 

 Selangor, F. M. S., 19th September, ig02. 



CIRCULAR: 



DEAR Sir, — I have been directed by my Committee to circulate I 

 the following letter from the Protector of Labour, Eederated Malay 

 States, and to ask you to let me have an early reply to the questions 1 

 contained therein : — 



I am, dear Sir, 



Yours faithfully, 



HERBERT M. DARBY, 

 Hon. Secretary, U.P.A., F.MS. 



Office of Protector of Labour, F.M.S. 

 P.O.L. xVV 5 2 Seremban, 30th June, ig02. 



To the Secretary, 



United Planters' Association, Kajang. 

 Sl Rj — I should be obliged if you will inform me (i) how man 

 Indian labourers the membe-s of your Association require before th 

 30th June next, probably ; (2) if your members are prepared'to hav 

 anv fixed number allotted to them should the Government be abl 



