26l 
Chemical Composition. 
Moisture 5.600 
Organic matter and combined water 20.400 
Oxide of iron and manganese 1.200 
Oxide of alumina 5-232 
Lime 0.050 
Magnesia . o. 115 
Potash 0.061 
Phosphoric acid 0.064 
Soda o. 182 
Sulphuric 0.048 
Chlorine 0.048 
Sand and silicates 67.000 
100.000 
Containing nitrogen 0.448 
Equal to ammonia 0.544 
Lower oxide of iron Much 
Acidity Much 
Citric soluble potash 0.009 
Citric soluble phosphoric acid Nil 
The above composition shows a chemical richness in organic 
matter and nitrogen which rarely obtains in low-country districts 
and strongly reminds one of the soils at high elevations in Ceylon. 
It is to be regretted that the area of such rich land in the low 
country is small, and the above analysis is certainly encouraging 
to planters who have swampy soils capable of being effectively 
drained and made sweet by the application of lime or by burning. 
To a certain extent the method to be adopted with such soils is 
similar to that for the peaty tracts of the Nuwara Eliya District." 
In planting rubber, land is usually selectetd that is covered 
with virgin forest. The forest trees are felled and 
Clearing, allowed to lie on the ground until there is a dry spell, 
when they are burned off. Stumps are not removed, 
neither are the tree trunks that do not burn, but they are left on 
the ground to rot. After the burn, with the exception of the large 
timber and stumps, the land is perfectly clean and ready for 
planting. 
Some of the planting is done on fields that were formerly used 
for tapioca and also rice cultivation. After being 
Lalang Grass, abandoned by the planters of these crops the 
lands become overgrown with "Lalang" grass 
(Tmperata arundinacea) , one of the most troublesome weeds in 
