580 



No. 5, is a very similar locality, on neither of these have para rub- 

 ber trees been planted. 



No. 6, a continuation of the same hill was planted up with trees by 

 Mr. Cantley and is the locality where the big tree was found growing 

 which is described in a previous Bulletin. Trees have grown remark- 

 ably well in this soil. 



No. 7, is on a continuation of the same hill but it has been clear- 

 ed of trees to a large extent. Rubber trees grow fairly well here but 

 have not grown quite as well as in No. 6. 



The most striking thing about these soils is the poverty of phos- 

 phoric acid and potash, even in the best soil. The soil of No. 1 which 

 except for its excess of moisture is decidedly the best is richest of any 

 in organic matter oxide of alumina, lime, magnesia, and lowest in sand 

 and oxide of iron. No. 3 is on the same level approximately as No. 1, 

 but more sandy. Ramie, rubber, citronella grass have done well in it 

 and para rubber grows better here than in any of the others. No. 4 & 5, 

 are bad soils, as far as growth of plants is concerned, yet the analysis 

 does not appear worse than No. 6, whereon grows the tallest para 

 rubber tree in the gardens. 



It is probable that a good many other factors than the actual 

 constituents of the soil are of great importance to plant growth prob- 

 ably greater than the actual chemical constituents, the temperature, 

 flow and loss of water, the soil bacteria, freeness of the particles of 

 soil, are all probably factors which have to be taken into account. 



22nd August, 1908. 



H. N. RIDLEY Esq., Botanic Gaedens, Singapore : 



Dear Sir, 



Herewith my report on the seven samples of soil from your Botanic 

 Gardens received together with your letter of the 20th, ult: 



No. 1, is a dark loamy soil in a fine state of division. It is ex- 

 ceptionally rich in nitrogen, has a fair amount of lime, but is deficient 

 in phosphoric acid and potash. 



No. 2, is a yellow clay loam, fairly rich in nijrogen, but deficient 

 in available mineral matter generally. 



No. 3, is a grey loam with some stony fragments. It is fairly rich 

 in nitrogen, is poor in potash and phosphoric acid and has a fair 

 supply of lime and magnesia. 



No. 4, is a yellow loam in a good state of division, is poor in nitrogen, 

 potash, phosphoric acid and magnesia, but has a good supply of lime. 



No. 5, is similar in composition and appearance to No. 4, but if 

 anything has a slightly better supply of plant food. 



No. 6, is a yellow loam in a good state of division, the nitrogen, 

 potash and phosphoric acid are poor, but the lime and magnesia are 

 in fair proportion. 



No. 7, is a yellow loam in a fine state of division. It is poor in potash 

 and phosphoric acid and has a fair supply of lime, magnesia and nitrogen. 



Yours faithfully, 



per. pro. M. Kelway Bamber. 



A. D, Bruce, b.s.c, f.c.s. 



