( 7 ) 
from the attacks of a scale-insect or "bug," which has in some places occurred in such vast quantities 
as to have actually killed out the bushes, probably already deteriorated by long-continued attacks 
of leaf-disease and by imperfect cultivation. The presence of this pest has no doubt largely 
helped forward the abandonment of coffee-cultivation in favour of tea. 
It seems the general opinion of practical planters that this insect is different from either of 
the " bugs " familiar to them hitherto as foes to coffee — Lecanium Coffece, the ordinary brown coffee 
bug, and L. nigrum, the black bug . It is, however, undoubtedly very nearly allied to the latter. 
The distinctions between the three kinds have been well pointed out by Mr. E. E. Green, of 
Pundalu-oya, in a paper illustrated with coloured figures, which has been printed by Government. He 
names the new pest — which is generally known as " green-bug " — Lecanium viride, and thinks it a 
distinct species. I may add that it is by no means confined to coffee, and that 1 have for several years 
noticed it in the Botanic Gardens, where it occurs commonly along with other kinds of Coccidce on 
a great variety of plants with persistent leaves. It is accompanied, like the other species, by a black 
fungus ; and as in their case, no efficacious remedy has been found for its ravages. 
In spite of all drawbacks, I am still of opinion that coffee, at all events as a native cultivation, 
is still worth encouragement. Liberian is the best sort for growing in small gardens ; and sold 
locally at present prices gives a good return to the cultivator. A large stock of this kind is always 
available at Henaratgoda Garden. 
Cinchona. — It is astonishing to find that an enormous export of bark has been still kept up 
in spite of the very low prices obtained. Considerably over fourteen million pounds (14,389,184 lb.) 
have been shipped from Ceylon in the past year, yet the unit of quinine has been even as low as l\d. 
at one time, and much of the bark sold could barely have paid expenses. This quantity is however 
less by nearly a million pounds than that sent home in 1886, and it may be confidently expected 
that the export from Ceylon will now rapidly fall. The history of this industry in Ceylon, 
however unsatisfactory, has been most instructive, and has fully shown the truth of what was 
so strongly insisted upon from the first by those who looked ahead, that quality and not quantity 
was the object to be aimed at by the grower. This more far-seeing policy has been followed 
in Java, and we may now soon expect to see large supplies of rich bark coming from that 
country. 
Some seed of Bemijia pedunculata, one of the "Cuprea" barks, was received from Kew in 
April, but I regret to say none of it germinated. 
Cacao. — A very moderate extension only of this cultivation is now going on, and the export 
of the past financial year shows an advance of only 3,000 cwt. (1G,638 cwt.) over the year before. 
We are still endeavouring to spread this cultivation among the villagers, and a large distri- 
bution of seed was made, especially in Matale and Kdgalla districts. Consignments of seed, of both 
Forastero and Criollo varieties were also made to Bombay (for Goa) and to Zanzibar, where efforts 
in Cacao cultivation are being made. 
Indian-rubber Trees: Hevea brasiliensis. — Since the plantation of this tree at Henaratgoda 
was thinned out and the poorer and stunted specimens removed, the remainder have thriven 
remarkably. There are now 457 fine trees, the largest with a stem 53J, in. in circumference at a 
yard from the ground. A very large crop of seed was produced in~June and July, and a ease 
containing 2,001) was sent to Kew for transmission to Jamaica, as well as smaller quantities to 
Madras, Rangoon, Penang, and Buitenzorg. A request for seed in quantity from the Straits was 
received too late, but will be complied with next season. 
Hevca Sjiritccana. — As recorded in my reports for 18S4, 1885, all of a previous consignment 
of this rubber died. I have this year received from Kew six more plants, but I regret to have to 
report that only one has survived. 
Castiltoa elastica. — The trees of this rubber now grow very slowly; the largest tree at 
Henaratgoda has scarcely increased an inch in circumference during the year, being now 39 in. 
Some further information as to the method of extracting Caoutchouc from this tree followed in 
British Honduras will be found in the Kew "Bulletin" for December last. Young plants of this 
as w ell as of the climbing Rubbers, Landoljdiia Kirkii and U rooln oculenta, are on Bale at Hena- 
ratgoda. 
S'l/dio/i biglandulOSWn.^- Seeds of this rubber-producing plant, the "Totickpong'' of British 
Guiana, were received from Mr. .lenman in May and germinated well. He reports of this tree : - It 
is quite hardy, of rapid growth, yields abundant milk, and the rubber is of high-class .|iiality." 
Samples of the rubber were shown at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition of 1886, and very favour- 
ably reported on. 
Cutta-pcrcha Tree*. — All tin- sorts we have are doing well, but the plants of this family are 
all <«f very slow growth. The "(Jutta Sundek" trees i VnjMa Lm-ii) at Henaratgoda are now *1S ft. 
in height. 
Cubc/m. — The high price at which this drug has been lately selling in the home market has 
led to several inquiries as to the possibilit \ of its cultivation in Ceylon ami the mean.- t.. ol.tain 
plants. A few remarks may be therefore offered ..n the subject. 
I'i/wr Cuhflm is a pepper, ami, like the majority of iis congeners, is a climbing plant. It Ifl 
considered to be native in Java, Sumatra, and Borneo, but can scarcely be said t<> he known wild.* 
* The plant lately recorded as Cnliehs in one of the local re w»|>a|x'i> :i- f otmd in (he south of tYylon waa tloubtlcM 
one of our wild |>c|>|)ors, of which we \> osm ;i d"/. n s|n-cie« 
