THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
[October i, 1881? 
Practically, the whole stock of Para India rubber plants — some 2,000 in number — 
which has ever been in the possession of the lioyal Gardens, has been transmitted to 
Ceylon. Having successfully effected the introduction of the species into the East Indies, 
it is not within our means to take any further step in the matter. The collection of the 
seed is costly and difficult, and our experience is that, even when freshly brought to this 
country, scarcely more than three per cent, has germinated. 
With regard to the Ceara rubber, a reference to the Kew reports for 1876 and 1877 
will show that the whole stock of plants with which we had originally to work was oulv 
55, all told. 
Those sent to Ceylon have succeeded remarkably well ; they have fruited profusely, 
and Dr. Trimen appears to have distributed every seed in his possession. With the suc- 
cessful introduction of this species into the East, we consider our duty in the matter closed. 
Plants of the Para rubber were sent out from Kew in 1876, and of the Ceara rubber 
in 1877. The introduction is a very recent one ; it appears from Dr. Trimen's memo- 
randum on the subject (Sessional Papers, 1880, No. VII.), that both plants can be propa- 
gated with facility from cuttings.* With reasonable assiduity there can be no doubt that 
planters who take up the new cultivation might raise large stocks in a very short time. 
I need not refer to the other plants, for the seeds of which we have been asked. I 
think it must be evident that the function of this establishment must be limited, as 
regards the Colonies, to the communication to their respective Botanic Gardens of such 
new and important plants as we are able to distribute. The Colonial Botanic Gardens 
will, in their turn, propagate and distribute the plants received from us. But even this 
operation cannot be performed in a wholesale way. The development of new cultures 
requires time. And if, when the suitability of climate and soil to some new staple has 
been established through our instrumentality, planters are at once impatient to embark on 
its cultivation on a large scale, they must not look to this establishment, nor indeed to the 
local Botanic Garden, for aid in carrying out undertakings of a magnitude which makes 
them matters of purely commercial enterprise. 
The Commission, the appointment of which has been suggested, might perhaps think 
it worth while to attempt the direct importation of some seed of the Para and Ceara 
rubbers. With regard to the first, which travels so badly, the only chance of success 
would be by packing the seed in slightly moistened earth. The quantities in each case 
should not be large on account of the risk of heating. The seed of the Ceara rubber 
plant would probably travel better and might be transmitted in linen bags. The only 
chance, as far as I am aware, of aid in the matter would be through the Consul at 
Grand Para and the Vice-Consul at Ceara. I am sure also that the accomplished and 
courteous Director do Passeio publico at Eio de Janeiro, Monsieur Glaziou, would give 
every assistance in his power to Dr. Trimen, 
I am, &c, 
W. T. THISELTON DYER. 
Enclosure in No. 2. 
The Secretary, Planters' Association, to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. 
Kandy, 14th May, 1881. 
Sir, — I eave the honor, on behalf of the Sub-Committee appointed to communicate 
with Government as to the best means of introducing seed and plants of such new 
products as offer inducements to cultivators, to ask if Government would be prepared to 
consider the recommendations of the Sub-l'ommittee, after enquiry, and to forward any lists 
* Which is also our experience at Kew. 
