247 



" Professor Harrison (British Guiana) said that they" 

 ''had given up the importation of rubber seeds from" 

 "Ceylon and they now got them direct from Singapore." 

 "Within the last few months he had imported 62,000 seeds" 

 "and had got nearly 82 % germinating. These seeds cost" 

 "on arrival about 1,2c. each. They were packed in dry" 

 "charcoal in seed boxes and were sent by parcel post to" 

 "ensure quickest delivery. The plants when ready for" 

 "delivery had cost altogether 2.58c. each. The last con-" 

 "signment of Hevea brasiliensis seeds from Singapore" 

 "had already given a proportion of very nearly 86%" 

 "germinating in a total of about 50,000 seeds." 



These figures speak for themselves and go to show that 

 proper packing and careful planting at the end of the 

 journey is all that is necessary to ensure the entirely satis- 

 factory export of Para Rubber seeds to other Tropical 

 Colonies. 



T. Wilson Main. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



Sungei Gadut. 



The Editor, 



Agricultural Bulletin, 



Singapore. \ ] 



Dear Sir, 



T have read with interest Mr. Zernichow's article on 

 Tephrosia purpurea. Permit me to ask one question, and 

 that is, has any one planted Tephrosia over say 200 or 300 

 acres and left it growing for 5 years, lopping it twice a 

 year. If so, may I ask what the cost has been to cut it out 

 and cart away. My experience is that all such plants in- 

 cluding Crotalaria do very nicely for a year or two but in 

 the long run, over large areas, cause endless trouble and 

 expense. Planted closely in rows on hill sides, instead of 

 contour drains, might be more advisable, as the saving in 

 surface soil should more than compensate for cost of even- 

 tual removal. Two rows between the lines of Rubber Trees 

 are sufficient. T have found Crotalaria planted in this man- 

 ner quite satisfactory, weeding expenses being only slightly 

 increased. So far as flats are concerned 1 believe in ab- 

 solute clean weeding. 



Yours faithfully, 

 X. 



