4s40 



Colombo, l6th August. 1910. 



Suiigei Peradin, 



Kukub Estate, Johore. 



Peat : Surface Soil. — This is a dark brown soil and composed 

 entirely of decaying vegetable matter including decomposing wood. 

 It is very acid, and when dry is in a fine state of division. Chemi- 

 cally it is exceedingly rich in Nitrogen and plant food generally with 

 the exception of Potash which, however, is in fair amount. 



Clay: Sub-Soil. — This is a compact grey clayey mud, which 

 dries very slowly and forms a hard mass, but this becomes friable on 

 moistening. It is in a fine state of division, rich in Nitrogen and 

 Potash, but a little deficient in Lime and Phosphoric Acid. 



The soil is well suited for Rubber from a chemical standpoint, 

 but a great depth of peat means some risk of loss from disease and 

 more from the trees falling over as the peat contracts. I would 

 advise close drainage gradually increasing the depth and spreading 

 the material dug from the drains over the roots of the trees, so as to 

 keep them covered. 



Owing to the marked acidity the application of ground or burnt 

 Lime at least 5 cwts. per acre is advisable, and the following manure 

 could be applied to supply any deficiency until the drying of the soil 

 and cultivation renders the reserve plant food more available. 



PEATY SOIL. 



100 lbs. Sulphate of Potash, 50% potash 



100 „ Precipitated : Phosphate 40% Phos. Acid 



150 „ Nitrate of soda, 15% nitrogen 



200 ,, Ground Lime, 98% carbonate of lime 



550 lbs. 



CLAYEY SOIL. 



100 lbs. Sulphate of Ammonia, 20% Nitrogen. 

 100 „ Sulphate of Potash, 50% Potash. 

 200 „ Precipitated Phosphate, 40% Phos. Acid. 

 150 „ Ground Lime, 98/' Carbonate of Lime. 



550 lbs. 



The careful burning of stumps on the clayey soil is advisable, as 

 the Ash will do good, and it will minimise the risk of fonies, etc. On 

 the peat it is too dangerous ; but if an acre of waste peat could be 

 isolated where the peat could be burned, the resulting ash could be 

 an excellent manure both on the peat and clay soils, though it must 

 not be applied at more than 5 cwts. per acre at one time. 



