284 
attained  the  reproductive  stage  in  the  i/al  Bagh.  In  its  culturable 
requirements  this  important  tree  seems  to  be  intermediate  between 
the  Para  and  Ceara  species,  requiring  neither  the  tropical  humid- 
ity of  the  former  nor  the  open  and  comparatively  dry  conditions  of 
the  latter.  It  is,  in  fact,  a tree  for  the  coffee  zone. 
Although  I do  not  say  podtively  that  Custilloa.  would  fail  on  the 
Maidau,  I certainly  think  it  will  have  a better  chance  in  compara- 
tively open  spaces  throughout  the  coffee  zone.  Indeed  it  may  be- 
come a good  shade  tree  for  coffee  for  all  we  know  at  present. 
Now  we  come  to  the  Iasi  of  the  three  American  trees  e.g.  Hevea 
brazil iensis,  or  Para  rubber.  When  pure  the  latter  is  worth  I\s.  4 
a lb.  and  is  admitted  to  hold  the  market  at  present.  But  under 
improved  methods  of  preparation  it  will  soo  1 be  closely  run  in 
quality,  and  perhaps  greatly  exceeded  in  quantity,  by  the  rubber 
which  I have  just  reviewed  Anyhow  it  is  not  likely  to  be  of  much 
practical  use  in  the  dryer  parts  of  India  : therefore,  we  are  justified 
in  turning  our  attention  to  more  hopeful  subjects.  I'he  Para  rub- 
ber tree  is  essentially  tropical  in  its  requirements,  and  needs  a 
humid  atmosphere  such  as  is  found  in  the  Amazon  Valley — its  native 
habitat.  Ceylon  has  started  ('ultivation  in  a small  way.  But  the 
only  eastern  country  which  is  likely  to  compete  on  fairly  equal 
terms  with  America  in  the  Malay  Peninsula  and  Archipelago.  Along 
the  West  coast  of  India  and  in  moist  situations  under  the  Ghauts 
there  may  be  spots  where  the  climatic  conditions  are  tolerably 
favourable.  But  careful  experiment  should  be  conducted  before  a 
large  investment  is  made.  At  Bangalore  the  tree  languishes  and 
dies  during  the  long  dry  season.  Irrigation  gives  only  temporary 
relief  and  there  is  too  little  moisture  during  the  first  four  months  of 
the  year. 
The  Assam  rubber  tree,  (true  rubber)  Ficus  elastica,  1 have  all 
along  said  will  grow  well  in  the  coffee  districts,  and  the  reason  why 
it  is  not  found  there  in  quantity  is  possiblv  due  to  the  difficulty  of 
rapid  propagation.  But  in  any  South  Indian  rubber  plantation  this 
useful  tree  should  containly  find  a place.  It  is  said  to  be  doing 
well  in  the  Straits  .Set llem cuts. 
Planting  Opiniun,  Sth  August,  p.  ^42. 
PARA  RUBBER  SEED 
Kepitigalla  Estate,  Mat  ale. 
I)EAk  Sir, — .-\n  important  point  to  be  decided,  and  of  interest 
to  Para  Rubber  growers,  is  whether  the  lapping  of  a tree  injures 
the  seed  for  planting.  This  question  has  been  raised  by  a few 
planters  when  ordering  seed,  stipulating  that  the  seed  should  be 
from  untapjjed  trees  only.  I have  sold  many  thousand  of  seeds 
during  the  last  four  years,  but  only  three  planters  have  made  this 
request.  I have  carefully  tested  seeds  from  tapped  and  untapped 
trees,  of  an  equal  number  grown  in  beds  side  by  sitle  for  the  past 
three  years  and  I have  ne\er  found  the  slightest  difference.  I have 
