606 



The Supplement to the Tropical Agriculturist 



be successfully cultivated. The growth of the 

 existing trees shows that conditions are favour- 

 able to both the Para and Ceara species, 

 though the trees of the latter variety are more 

 liable to damage from high winds. Large areas 

 of land suitablefor rubber cultivation can be 

 obtained at reasonable rates. — Board of Trade 

 Journal, Nov. 5. 



PACKING PARA RUBBER SEEDS 

 FOR EXPORT. 



The demand for para rubber seeds in different 

 parts of the tropical world has become very con- 

 siderable of late ; and as the seed of this tree 

 deteriorates very rapidly after it s "ipe and soon 

 loses its germinating power, 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 the best method of pack- 

 ing 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 

 Koyal 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 jour- 

 ney, as well as the risk of being heated in the hold of 

 a vessel was pointed out in my last report. 



" This is further emphasized by the fact that at about the 

 same time as our own seeds arrived a Water Street firm 

 sent 10,500 para rubber seeds, packed in six kerosine tins 

 which had travelled in the ordinary way as merchandise, to 

 be grown for them at the Gardens. These seeds received 

 the same careful treatment as our own but produced ' only 

 18 plants.' " 



This is an excellent record for seeds which 

 were in the tins for over 53 days from the time 

 of packing until their arrival in British Guiana 

 and it is very doubtful if the 



80 PEE CENT. GERMINATION 



has ever been or ever will be beaten for 

 a journey of this length. I have seen many 

 much poorer germinations on estates in the 

 Peninsula where the seeds wore actually grown, 

 harvested and sown. From this and many 

 similar results obtained by us in packing para 

 rubber seeds we have every confidence in re- 

 commending this system of packing to all who 

 wish to send seeds over long distances and 

 obtain the best results. Equally satisfactory 

 results have been obtained by using powdered 

 charcoal as a packing material, but we find 



BUKNT EICE HUSKS 



cheaper and also lighter which is a very 

 important point in favour of its adoption 

 when sending seeds by Parcel Post. As 

 hundreds of thousands of seeds are now being 

 shipped out of the Peninsula and as particulars 

 of the best system of packing are constantly 



being asked for, 1 give the following particulars 

 which may be of some value: — Tins 12 in. x 8 in. 

 x 5 in. are used. These are made locally and 

 cost about 20 cents each. Each when properly 

 packed holds 600 seeds and is within the Post 

 Office regulation weight of eleven lb., for this 

 class of parcel. In packing the seeds a layer of 

 burnt rice husk is put on the bottom of the tin 

 and then alternate layers of seeds and husk are 

 added until the whole 600 seeds have been 

 packed when the tin will be quite full. A 

 lid is put on each tin but is not soldered down 

 as we find that this prevents an excess of 

 moisture collecting inside the tins and the 

 burnt rice husk, is thereby kept at the proper 

 degree of moisture. I should have mentioned 

 that the burnt rice husk (or powdered charcoal) 

 should be slightly moistened before packing in 

 order to keep the seeds in a fresh healthy state ; 

 but care should be taken that not too much 

 moisture is added or the seeds are liable to 

 germinate and rot on a long journey. 



THE DEMANDS 



from the British Possessions and other 

 Colonies in the tropics for para rubber seeds 

 from the trees in the Singapore Botanic Gar- 

 dens are steadily increasing. 400,000 seeds will 

 be dispatched duringthe present year and many 

 orders have been refused owing to our inability 

 to supply the seeds. All our seeds are sent long 

 distances on journeys of not less than one 

 month packed as described above and it is 

 extremely satisfactory to be able to state such 

 results from this method. — T. VV. Main, Botanic 

 Gardens, Singapore. — Slrails Agricultural Bulle- 

 tin, for November. 



GERMAN RUBBER MAGNATE IN 

 CEYLON. 



VIEWS OF THE PROSPECTS OF THE 

 INDUSTRY. 



Extkemes in Prices : 3s. 6d, a Good 

 Workable Medium. 



Increased Output will Mean Extended Uses. 



Herr A. Prinzhorn, proprietor of an extensive 

 rubber manufactory in Hanover, arrived recently 

 on a visit to Ceylon. He was accompanied by 

 Mr. Hohlt, Acting Consul for Domingo at! Han- 

 over, who is also interested in the Rubber Indus- 

 try. The two gentlemen were more on a pleasure 

 than a business trip, but Mr Prinzhorn kindly 

 accorded an interview to an Observer representa- 

 tive. He is the Managing Director of the 

 Continental Rubber and Gutta Percha Co., 

 Hanover, which employs some 4,500 men and is 

 perhaps the largest rubber factory in the world. 

 Mr Prinzhorn and Mr Hohlt went on to 

 India where they stay for a fortnight, after 

 which they visit some of the well-known rubber 

 plantations in the Straits Settlements, and return 

 to Ceylon with the same object, about the middle 

 of February. Mr Prinzhorn then hopes to be able 

 to avail himself of some introductions to Ceylon 

 planters, given him by Mr Kelway Bamber whom 

 he met at the Exhibition in London. 



