Gums, Resins, 



8 



care to. The result of this will be that the tree, which lias been pruned three 

 times in a period extending a little over six months possesses a main stem ten feet 

 in height, and twelve branches ; each of the dozen branches have their own growing 

 point and produce as many leaves as the single growing point at the apex of the 

 stem of the unbranched tree. By this means the food-producing power of the tree 

 which has been pruned will be about twelve times that of the single-stemmed one. 

 If such conditions do not result in aneincreased rate of growth for the basal ten 

 feet of stem, I shall have no hesitation in throwing up the sponge. 



EFFECT OF INCREASED FOLIAGE. 



I think you will now all admit that it is possible to lead to the production 

 of a large number of branches, and we have next to enquire how soon the effect 

 is obvious in the girth of the stem. The two plants in the photograph I have here 

 (see plate A.) are over one-and-a-half years old from stumps, and the forked 

 one shows a circumference of 4 4-5th inches as against 4 inches for the straight- 

 stemmed tree ; this means an increase of over half-an-inch within six months of the 

 pruning operation. The young trees on various estates in Ceylon and the old trees at 

 Henaratgoda (see plate B.) indicate that an average increase of about one inch per 

 year may be obtained by making them fork at the proper height. I cannot guarantee 

 to convert your young clearings into " baobab " plantations, but if you will measure 

 your forked and straight trees which are of the same age, and which have been 

 grown under identical conditions ; I think you will soon have sufficient figures 

 to convince you of the increased circumferential rate of growth, which is likely to 

 follow careful pruning. If you can obtain an average increase of one inch per 

 year, it means that you gain a year in the first four or five years and the minimum 

 tapping size of 20 inches will be attained in the fourth year. The only disadvantage 

 which I have heard urged against this system is that it may be followed by too much 

 overlapping of the foliage, necessitating that the trees be planted at greater 

 distances. This, in my opinion, may be an advantage instead of a disadvantage 

 during the first few years, and I cannot think that it constitutes a serious argument 

 against the experiments I have placed before you. Now, gentlemen, I have had 

 my say, and as I am here today more to promote or aggravate discussion than 

 to give information, I hope your remarks will not lack in eloquence or vitality, 

 and that you may at least be induced to try your own experiments on the rubber 

 clearings you are now planting. (Applause.) 



THE DISCUSSION. 



CLEAN WEDDING V. INTER-CROPS. 



On questions being invited, 



Mr. Edgar Smith asked : — What is your opinion about clean weeding on 

 rubber estates ? 



Mr. Wright -.—Ceylon is unique in so far as that most of the estates are 

 clean weeded ; but providing the roots of the weeds or whatever plants are grown 

 in addition to the rubber, do not interfere with the root development of the Para, 

 rubber trees, there is no disadvantage, but a great advantage in having the ground 

 covered. 



Mr. Smith :— What about ordinary grass ? 



Mr. Wright : — I recently heard of an experiment which had been carried out 

 by a prominent member of the planting community whom you all know. He assured 

 me that purely as an experiment he had the ground under Para rubber trees covered 

 with ordinary turf. The rubber trees, protected in this way by the grass, did 

 wonderfully. 



