Miscellaneous. 



110 



sulphate or arsenious acid. The results of these experiments show that this method 

 can be used in eradicating the grass at a very much smaller cost than by digging, 

 ploughing or other purely mechanical method. They will be carried on on an 

 extended scale, and figures of cost and results published. 



RUBBER. 



The acreage alienated for the planting of Hevea brasiliensis (Para), and Ficus 

 elastica (Rambong), is now about 100,000 acres, practically all Para, only a few acres 

 being the latter tree. Of this 38.000 is already planted, the figures being :— 

 Under one ... ... ... 16,000 acres. 



1 year old ... ... ... 6,000 „ 



2 „ ... ... ... 4,500 „ 



3 „ ... ... ... 3,000 „ 



4 „ ... ... ... 2,500 „ 



5 ,, and over ... ... 6,000 ., 



38,000 „ 



Most of the Para plantations over five years old are planted at 200 trees or 

 more to the acre, some estates having more than 300, but on the more recent clearings, 

 the distance apart is greater, and the average is probably about 175 per acre. 

 The number of rubber trees of all ages in the Federated Malay States is approxi- 

 mately between 6,000,000 and 7,000,000. The cultivation of Para rubber is in its 

 childhood, and though much has already been learnt as to methods of planting, 

 harvesting, and curing, yet still more remains to be discovered before the industry 

 can be considered to be past the experimental stage as regards its methods. The 

 department has made arrangements to take over from the Conservator of Forests 

 an excellent plantation of Hevea trees seven years old adjoining the Public Gardens, 

 and this will be used to carry on a continuous and exhaustive series of investigations 

 and experiments into various questions, physiological and economic, in regard to 

 latex and the best methods for its extraction and preparation. 



LABOUR. 



One of the most vital points in connection with the progress of the rubber 

 industry is the provision of an adequate supply of labour. Nearly all the land is 

 cleared and drained by Malays or Chinese on contract, the regular service of Tamils 

 or Javanese day labourers is not used until the land is prepared. Land is thus 

 opened and trees planted without the estate having even a tithe of the labour force 

 which will be required when these trees are tapped. At the present time there is 

 an average of one cooly to every two acres planted, and at least double this number 

 will be required when these estates are yielding rubber. The policy of Govern- 

 ment helping the introduction of labour into the country from Southern India is 

 a wise one, and has been of great value to the rubber-planting industry, but the need 

 for such a policy is as great if not greater now than previously. The rates of pay 

 for estates coolies are much higher in Malay than in its rival, Ceylon. This is due 

 to various reasons, a chief one being the high wages paid in mines. Taking 

 the value of the dollar and rupee at 2s. 4d, and Is. 4d. respectively, the Malay 

 pay is on an average 75 per cent, higher than in Ceylon. Coolies on rubber 

 estates are healthy and contented. The lines on nearly all estates are sanitary 

 and well built, and the daily tasks are lighter than in Ceylon. The general 

 health and physique of the Tamil coolies on rubber estates in the Federated 

 Malay States compare favourably with the labour forces on low country estates 

 in Ceylon. There seems to be no reason why when this country is better known in 

 the recruiting districts in Southern India coolies will not be easily induced to come 

 to Malaya in considerable numbers. Any legislation Avhich helps the planter to get 

 a sufficient supply of labour and to keep them healthy and contented is a great gain 

 to the country- 



