548 



General. 



A good many scientific and agricultural experts visited the Native 

 States in search of information in regard to various tropical cultivations. 



Professor Treub, the renowned head of the scientific work in 

 all departments in Java, and the leading authority on tropical agriculture, 

 paid a short visit on his way to Sumatra, and gave valuable information. 



Mr. Norman McLeod, Assistant Conservator of Forests, Southern 

 Nigeria, who was sent officially by H. E. Sir Walter Egerton, Governor 

 of that Colony, to enquire into rubber and other matters, made a tour 

 of planting districts. 



Mr. M. K. Bamber Government Chemist, Ceylon, Dr. Olssen 

 Seffer, of Mexico, Mr. A. E. Pratt, Zoologist, en route to New 

 Guinea, where he is leading an expedition into the hitherto unexplored 

 regions of that island, Dr. Kuhleman, a Chemical Eubber Expert from 

 Hanover. Mr. Eichmond from the Philippines, and others spent some 

 times in the Native States, and were assisted by the department in their 

 researches. 



J. B. Carruthers, 

 Director of Agriculture and 

 Government Botanist, F. M. S. 



PACKING PARA RUBBER SEED FOR EXPORT. 



The demand for para rubber seeds in different parts of the tropi- 

 cal world has become very considerable of late and as the seed of this 

 tree deteriorates very rapidly after it is ripe and soon looses its germinat- 

 ing power it is not easy to send large quantities over long distances 

 without a large percentage of losses unless the packing is done very 

 carefully and the best method adopted. 



Numerous experiments have been tried at the Botanic Gardens here 

 in Singapore from time to time in order to find out the best method 

 of packing the seed. Judging by reports received from different parts 

 of the globe, the system we now adopt seems to be as nearly perfect as 

 possible, as will be seen by the following extract from the " Report 

 of the Botanic Gardens of British Guiana for the year 1907-1908." 



" In May 10,800 para rubber seeds were received from the Royal 

 " Botanic Gardens, Singapore, from which 6,956 plants were raised, i. e. 

 " 64.4 per cent of the seeds germinated after being 53 days on the journey. 



" In October and the beginning of November 52,000 seeds arrived 

 "from the same place and when sown produced 42,100 plants which 

 " gives a germination of approximately 80 per cent. 



" These were received packed in one pound biscuit tins with burnt 

 " rice husk. Three tins were then enclosed in a canvas covering and 

 " were within the limit of weight allowed for by the Post Office, by 

 " which means they were sent. 



" The importance of obtaining Hevea brasiliensis seeds by post to 

 " avoid as far as possible any delay on the journey, as well as the risk 

 " of being heated in the hold of a vessel was pointed out in my last 

 " report. 



