Experimental  Gardens.— During  June,  1902,  the  Com- 
mittee appointed  by  the  Resident  General  to  confer  with  and 
advise  the  Superintendent,  paid  a visit  to  these  gardens.  At  this 
time  the  land  had  not  been  finally  acquired,  and  there  was  but 
little  progress  to  report.  Since  that  date  no  official  inspection  by 
the  Committee  has  been  made,  but  it  is  reported  that  some  60  acres 
have  been  felled  and  cleared,  and  that  the  Superintendent’s  Bunga- 
low, with  a considerable  approach  road,  has  been  built.  The  next 
report  of  the  Committee,  following  a further  inspection  which  will 
be  shortly  made,  will  be  awaited  with  interest.  The  Superintendent 
has  compiled  an  elaborate  treatise  upon  the  extraction  and  pre- 
paration of  latex  from  the  Para  Rubber  tree  {Hevea  Braziliensis), 
accompanied  by  extensive  statistics  in  connection  with  his  experi- 
ments. The  samples  of  rubber  prepared  by  him  were  reported 
upon  by  the  London  experts,  at  the  instance  of  the  Kew  Garden 
authorities,  with  the  most  satisfactory  results,  the  best  quality  be- 
ing valued  at  4/4^.  per  lb.  Your  Committee  are  of  opinion  that 
the  treatise  referred  to  above  is  a most  valuable  contribution  to  the 
literature  of  Rubber,  and  that  the  Superintendent  has  succeeded 
in  absolutely  dispelling  the  idea  prevailing  in  certain  quarters,  that 
the  rubber  produced  in  this  part  of  the  world  is  of  inferior  quality. 
Agricultural  Bulletin. — This  periodical  has  not  only  sur- 
vived the  first  year  of  its  existence,  but  is  growing  in  popularity  as 
it  is  becoming  more  generally  known.  A great  all  round  improve- 
ment upon  the  first  numbers  has  been  effected,  and  same  very 
instructive  photographs  have  been  reproduced  successfully.  The 
opportunity  providefl  in  its  pages  for  the  exchange  of  ideas  upon 
matters  agricultural  might  certainly  be  more  fully  availed  of,  and 
it  is  to  be  hoped  that  additional  interest  in  this  respect  may  be 
evidenced  during  the  coming  year. 
Agricultural  Show. — It  has  been  decided  to  hold  an  Agri- 
cultural Show  at  Kuala  Lumpor  in  July,  1904,  and  a Committee 
has  been  appointed  to  arrange  preliminaries,  but  at  present  no 
definite  programme  has  been  drawn  up. 
Public  Auctions  of  Coffee. — This  question  has,  for  the  time 
being,  been  shelved,  those  interested  in  Singapore,  with  whom  the 
matter  was  left,  not  having  so  far  made  any  move. 
Savings  Banks  for  Coolies. — The  idea  of  providing  facilities 
for  coolies  to  put  hy  their  savings,  was  suggested  to  your  Associa- 
tion, and  recommended  to  the  authorities  for  consideration,  the 
Protector  of  Labour  signifying  his  sympathy  with  the  proposal. 
Customs  Duties  Enactment. — This  has  been  amended  at 
the  instance  of  your  Association,  and  now  stands  as  below  wdth 
respect  to  the  export  duty  on  coffee  of  all  grades. 
SCHEDULE  A. 
COFFEE. 
Export  Duty,  calculated  on  the  Singapore  Market  price  at  the 
end  of  previous  month,  less  Jjr  a pikul  for  freight  and  charges  be- 
tween Klang  and  Singapore. 
