256 
"CEYLON SOILS IN WHICH RUBBER IS PLANTED. 
It is obvious that since Para rubber has been planted from sea 
level up to 2,000 feet in districts such as Galle, Baddegama, 
Kelani, Ambalangoda, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Polgahawela, Veyan- 
goda, Kadugannawa, Peradeniya, Matale, Kurunegala, Badulla, 
and Passara, there must necessarily be considerable variation in 
the chemical and physical properties of the soils now under this 
product. 
The land in rubber is, in the south of the Island, mainly flat ; 
here and there steep rocky hillsides similar to what one sees up- 
country are planted in rubber, but one has to leave the south of 
the island and go to the Central and Uva Provinces in order to 
see large areas of rocky, hilly land planted with this product. 
In many districts the alluvial soils along the banks of rivers have 
been planted, in most cases below flood level, so that the condi- 
tions of the Amazon valley are to some extent imitated. 
Experiments have been commenced in dry, but irrigable areas. 
The want of rain in proper proportions and quantities may pre- 
vent the extension of rubber in the northern part of the island, 
where only the northeast monsoon is felt and where the annual 
rainfall varies from 40 to 60 inches. 
The soil types in which Para rubber is being cultivated may 
therefore be roughly divided into the following: 
The cabook soils are met with as local areas in many districts. 
They are usually inferior from a chemical and physical stand- 
point, though rn many cases the growth of the rubber trees appears 
to be satisfactory. Such soils usually show a small percentage of 
organic matter, potash, phosphoric acid and lime. A typical exam- 
ple shows the following composition : 
1. Cabook. 
2. Alluvial soils. 
3. Tea and cacao soils. 
4. Swamps. 
ANALYSIS OF TYPICAL CABOOKY SOIL. 
Mechanical Composition. 
Per Cent. 
Fine soil passing go mesh . . . 
Fine soil passing 60 mesh. . . . 
Medium soil passing 30 mesh 
Coarse sand and small stones. 
11 .50 
9-50 
4.00 
75.00 
100.00 
