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On August 9th, we despatched 1,919 plants raised from these 

 seeds to Ceylon in 38 Wardian cases, in charge of a gardener. Of 

 the whole consignment 90 per cent, reached Dr. Thwaites in excellent 

 condition. All subsequent accounts have been satisfactory, and no 

 difficulty is found in multiplying the plants by propagation to any 

 extent. 



On August nth, 50 plants were sent to the Botanic Gardens at 

 Singapore. Owing to the delay in the payment of the freight these 

 plants all perished. 



On August 23rd, 50 plants were sent direct to Major Seaton in 

 Burmah. These reached their destination in bad condition. 



On September 29th, a further supply of 100 plants was taken out 

 to Dr. Thwaites, in charge of Dr. Duthie, Superintendent of the 

 Botanic Gardens, Saharumpore. These reached Ceylon in good order. 



On June nth, 1877,22 plants were sent to the Botanic Gardens, 

 Singapore. The Superintendent reports that the climate appears 

 suited to their growth. 



On September 7th, 37 plants were sent to the Botanic Gardens 

 in Mauritius, and reached the destination in good order. 



On September 15th, 100 plants were again sent to Dr. Thwaites 

 and 50 to Calcutta, in charge of Mr. Morris, Dr. Thwaites' assistant. 

 Both consignments reached their destination safely. Of those sent 

 to Calcutta a portion was immediately despatched by Dr. King to 

 Major Seaton, with whom they are now doing well. It appears, 

 therefore, that while upwards of 2,000 plants are safely established 

 in Ceylon, smaller parcels are also growing in Burmah, Calcutta, 

 Mauritius and Singapore. The plant is now therefore to be regarded 

 as definitely established in the East Indies, and with ordinary horti- 

 cultural skill, in the course of a few years, in raising an indefinite 

 number of young plants. 



Beyond keeping a small stock for occasional distribution it does 

 not appear that this establishment is called upon to take any further 

 steps for the propagation and distribution of this plant to India. 



1 should add that, on November 2 1st 1 876, Mr. Cross reached 

 Kew with about 1, 000 young plants brought direct from South 

 America. Only about three per cent, of these plants survived, and 

 they, therefore, contributed but little to our resources for distribution. 



2. Castilloa elastica — Rubber of Central America. Sir Joseph 

 Hooker has already stated, in a letter to the India Office, dated April 

 1st last, what has been done with respect to this kind. I quote the 

 following passage : "The cuttings brought home by Mr. Cross were 

 received on October 3rd 1875 ( The seeds 7,000 received previously 

 failed to germinate). Steps were immediately taken to establish and 

 propagate them, and on August 9th 1876 32 healthy plants were 

 forwarded to Dr. Thwaites, 28 of which he subsquently reported were 

 well established in Ceylon and doing well." 



