433 



AGRICULTURAL BULLETIN 



OF THE 



STRAITS 



ANI> 



FEDERATED MALAY STATES. 



No. 10.] OCTOBER, 1908. [Vol. VII. 



IMPROVEMENTS OF FRUITS IN MALAYA. 



The cultivation of Tropical Fruits on scientific lines has up to the 

 present moment not, except in a few isolated cases, been attempted 

 seriously in Malaya. This is unfortunate as the absence of this cul- 

 tural knowledge is too apparent in the poor quality of the native fruits 

 exposed for sale in the local markets. 



Furthermore the industry has been almost abandoned in places, 

 notably Singapore, and many of the old plantations in other parts of 

 the Peninsula have been almost abandoned for so long that the quality 

 and quantity of their produce is decidedly poor. 



The scarcity of fruit of good quantity in Singapore has been 

 particularly noticeable within the last two or three years, and what is 

 available is mostly imported from outside sources. This state of affairs 

 exists not only in Singapore but also, in a more or less degree, in other 

 parts of the Peninsula and is in a great measure attributable to a lack 

 of enterprise shewn by the native and Chinese cultivators. 



It is true that the Government offers fairly attractive conditions 

 to the small land holder but notwithstanding one sees a gradual decline 

 in the industry. What is most urgently required is a properly organiz- 

 ed scheme with Government help in the form of thoroughly trained 

 Instructors in the approved method of cultivation and improvement of 

 native fruits, and assistance in procuring young plants of selected and 

 improved strains at a cheap rate. 



The time has also come when an effort should be made to intro- 

 duce many of the delicious tropical fruits which are not indigenous to 

 Malaya but nevertheless flourish and fruit successfully here. 



With this object in view early in 1907 I submitted a scheme to 

 the Government of JPerak for the improvement of native fruits and for 

 the introduction and distribution of others not met with in cultivation 

 here. 



Roughly this proposal was to establish small nurseries at differ- 

 ent places in the State which a central station at Taipeng where 

 native fruits could be improved by a careful system of grafting, cross- 

 ing and selection. The plants obtained by these means to be distribut- 



