Oct. 1, 1900.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
243 
CEYLON TIMBERS. 
AmDngst tropical timbers there are some 
peculiar to Ceylon which occupy the first 
rank in importance, some even being un- 
equalled in beaiity and commercial value, e.g., 
Calamaader and Ebony. The Timber Expert 
for the Imperial Institute has recently made 
an examination of samples of Ceylon timbers 
and has pointed out in several cases the 
probability of certain kinds gaining increased 
favour in tlie timber market, more especially 
with cabinet milkers. Some of the samples, 
however, at his disposal were from uncertain 
sources and of doubtful species ; whilst with 
many the age of the trees from which they 
were obtained could not be determined. 
Obviously, the latter character is of vital 
importance in estimating the value of limbers. 
The age of trees grown in temperate climates 
can generally be distinguished by the number 
of rings to be seen in a transverse section 
of the stem, each ring indicating a definite 
period of growth, owing to one season of 
activity being followed by one of rest in 
the same year. In Ceylon, however, where 
the vegetation is generally evergreen and 
therefore comparatively uniform in rates of 
growth throughout the year, the idea of 
" atmiial rings" can no longer be relied 
upon as indicating the exact af^e of a par- 
ticular tree. 
The rates at which trees grow, and therefore 
the seasonal rings in their stems, are, to a 
great extent, controlled by climatic con- 
ditions ; and since Ceylon, above all places, 
offers such a great variation in this respect, 
it is more than probable that if sections of 
trees from different parts of the island 
were examined, certain conclusions could be 
arrived at which v/oulcl be capable of general 
application. The only way in which reliable 
information can be obtained on tbe point 
in cpiestion is by examining as many trees 
as possible, of known age. The knowledge 
thus gained can then be applied in solving 
the age of timbers about which no record of 
planting has been made. 
In this connection we learn that Mr. 
Herbert Wright, the Scientific Assistant at 
Peradeniya Oardens, is giving special atten- 
tion to the subject of annular rings and 
planters when felling any trees (in the hill 
or lowcountry — in the Puttalam and South 
Batticaloa districts, where coconut clear- 
ings are being made) would do well to 
forward to him thin sections of the 
same, about three inches in thickness, Mr. 
Wright, more particularly, wants sections 
of trees "of known age." Such, however, can 
only refer to timber trees planted on estates 
or around bungalows, and chiefly of imported 
-Australian, Indian or .Fapanese — trees. We 
have never heard of any planter trying to 
grow the cabinet-wood-yielding trees of the 
island, more especially Ebony and Cala- 
mander ? If we are wrong, our good friends, 
Mr. W. H. Wright and Mr. Wm. Jardine, 
will correct us. Indeed, Calamander is inearly 
extinct in the Crown forests ju the island. 
Here is what Dr. Trimen says in his 
'•Flora-' :— 
Diosijyros quaesita ■' 
Forests of tlie moist low country below 1,000 ft. ; 
>:are, Singlis Raja Forest ; Hinicluma ; Potapitija, 
Kukul Korale ; Karawita Kande ; Ratnapui;a ; Dota- 
lankanJa, Pasdun Korale. Fl. Apri). Endemic. This 
affoi-ds the finest of the vanegited woods known p,s 
Calamander, The tree is much sought after, aud, 
fi-oni being destroyed in many places, is becoming 
more aud more scarce. Thunbert: in 1777 fitst dis- 
covered ' Calaiuinder ' wood to be produced by a 
species of Diosp)/ros (see his ' Travels,' vol. iv.). 
The shape and la'-ge size of the fiuit afford a ready 
means of determining this species, and the venation 
of the large leaves is also characteristic. 
And from the current "Agricultural Maga- 
zine " we extract a passage out of a report by 
Mr. A. F. Broun, Conservator of Forests : — 
Ebony, as has already been mentioned, is found in 
small quantities in this zone, but the most important 
tree of this family, which is unfortunately almost 
extinct, the Coromandel or Oalamander wood of com- 
merce, Diospijiv.'- quaesita, is still found here and there 
in the Pasdun Korale and in the Hiuidun Pattu, 
Attempts have been made for several years to obtaia 
the fruit in order to propagate the species artificially, 
but, although rewards have been offered, none has 
been obtained. 
Still anotlier extract we take from the late 
Wm. Ferguson's pamphlet on " Ceylon 
timber trees " : — 
I recollect reading in 1819, a very interesting ac- 
couiit by Mendis Modliar of the mode of procuring 
Calamander Wood, and the fact that the variegated 
part so much in request is au accidental product of 
the tree, some trees producing none of it, some near the 
lower part of the trunk, whilst in others it is found 
only near the middle of the tree?, and generally not 
in luxuriant trees growing in rich soil, but in those 
growing in dry rocky ground. These remarks apply to 
several of the trees producing variegated or orna- 
mental woods, such as the Tamarind, in which the 
beautiful Calamander-like woo"ci is found only in very 
old trees, and generally in the heart of the lower part 
of the trunk, or in the roots : and the differences of 
soil, climate and situation have such an effocc on the 
timber of the same species of tiee, that unless 
these facts are taken i-.^.to account respecting the 
specimens used as tests, the tables of strength, weight 
per cubic foot, specific gravity, &c., &o., are not to be 
depended upon. Again the "times of felling, mode of 
seasoning, &c., shonld also be taken into account, 
Nitrogen asXd Elkctrtcity.— Tesia says it 
will yet be feasible to procure nitrogen from the 
air in a form .suitable for fertilising purposes by 
means of eleiitvieity. By transmitting electria 
power great distances without wires, I'esla also 
thinks that power will be made so cheap that 
it will pay to pnmp water for irrigating lands 
that cannot be otherwise utilised. Yet such a 
source of cheap nitrogen would be no more re- 
markable and not as practicable as the method 
by which every intelligent farmer now extract.^ 
ritrogen from the air instead of paying for it. 
Leguminous crops have tlie power to extract 
nitrogen from the soil's atnnsphere by means of 
nitrifying organi-sm or bacteria. Tiiese crops will 
thrive on poor land if dressed witli a little 
potash and phosphoric acid, and then if ploughed 
under (in whole or in part), the nitrogen thug 
obtained is added to the soil's supply of plant 
food. The wonderful function of liacteria is just 
becinning to be realised in agriculture as in 
other industries. In this a.id other ways Nature 
will help intelligence as applied to farming, more 
readily and efficiently tlian to idly wait some 
transcondant discovery for the artificial extrac- 
tion of atmospheric mtrop,Qn,— American Agri 
cultiirlst. 
