103 



Saps and Exudations. 



high and in good condition. Seeds sown in Kanoth in North Malabar did not 

 germinate. In North Malabar two acres in Kanoth reserve contain well established 

 and large trees which have been tapped once, without results being recorded 

 however. There is another plantation at Manantoddy which has similarly been 

 tapped. The trees in South Malabar diminished in number, some being blown 

 down by wind, while their natural reproduction was considerably checked by deer 

 and sambhur. None of the 1,304 seeds (Kallar variety) sown in the nursery last year 

 germinated. In the Nilgiris there are sixteen well-grown trees in and around Benne 

 nursery, and growth from their seeds is abundant. 3,511 seedlings were planted in 

 Benne Teak plantations and station and Mudumalai, but none of the seeds sown in 

 the nursery germinated. An attempt was once more made to introduce the 

 species in North Coimbatore but was a failure, oidy two meagre seedlings surviving 

 in the Range compound at Satyamangalam. The Ceara rubber trees planted at 

 Mount Stuart in South Coimbatore are Avell established and are bearing seed ; 

 natural reproduction from seed is also prevalent. Sowings of this tree at Kodai- 

 kanal, Madura, proved a failure. A small percentage of seeds sown in Tinnevelly 

 germinated. 



(c) Ficus elastica.— The young plants put out in various places in Ganjam 

 did well where sheltered from the sea-coast wind and sand blow, but died elsewhere. 

 In Nell ore the experiment proved a failure in Kolfurpad plantation. 



{d) Hevea brasiliensis (Para rubber). — Seeds failed to germinate in South 

 Arcot. Three hundred and twenty plants survive in the nurseries at Someshwar in 

 South Canara and are being transplanted. Of 535 seeds sown in Begur, North 

 Malabar, 15 germinated, and only three now survive. In South Malabar, 21 trees exist 

 in Iravillicave in good condition. Of the 535 seeds sown, 04 germinated, but owing 

 to the damage done by rats, monkeys and porcupines, only eight plants survived. 



(e) Kicksia Africana. — Only twenty-two of this exist in South Malabar. 

 They show very shrubby growth and are not likely to produce much latex. They 

 were much damaged by a boring caterpillar. 



(/) Dichopsis elliptica. — One hundred and fifteen pounds of rubber were manu- 

 factured from the milk of this plant in South Coimbatore at a cost of Rs. 100 and sent 

 to Messrs. Pierce, Leslie & Co., at whose iustance the experiment was undertaken. 



RUBBER IN TRAVANCORE. 



Peermade.— On this side of the country there is no paddy cultivation to be 

 interfered with by drainage of lands cleared for rubber, and there are thousands of 

 acres of land at present almost unknown and absolutely without population, from 

 which no timber has ever been exported, as roads do not exist, and which do not 

 contain either teak or black-wood. The rainfall, soil and lie of land are all suitable 

 for rubber cultivation. These lands, had they been surveyed and sold a year ago, 

 would have placed Travancore at least second among rubber-producing countries 

 of the East. I may mention that it has been decided to start a Central Travancore 

 Rubber Planters' Association. The following is a fairly accurate list of rubber 

 estates on this side of the country :— 



Land held under Travancore Government.— Mundykay am Estate, about 

 500 acres ; total planted about 250 acres. Vallanardie Estate, about 600 acres ; total 

 planted about 350 acres. 



Land held under Punjat Rajah.— Jenduar Estate, about 600 acres; planted 

 about 340 acres. Kuttikal Estate, about 700 acres; being planted about 400 acres. 



Land held under Chung anur Rajah.— Eldorado Estate, about 600 acres 

 planted ; and being planted about 500 acres- Kurdomankolam, about 1,200 acres 

 planted ; and being planted about 500 acres. Kuppukayam, about 800 acres planted 

 and being planted about 150 acres. Grahamsland, about 300 acres planted ; and being 

 planted about 200 acres.— Madras Mail. 



