THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
717 
I would point out, however, that circumstances do not favour such large experiments being 
carried on within the gardens, and that their undertaking can only be incomplete and at the expense 
of other important matters. 
The Brazil-nut tree {Bertholletia excelsci) of Brazil, introduced in 1880 ; Pangium edule,a J&vsl 
tree with large edible fruits, introduced in 1891 ; and Dimorpliandra Wora, a tree of British Guiana 
with enormously large and edible seed, introduced in 1881, have each produced fruit here during the 
year for the first time ; whilst at-Henaratgoda station a tree of the Sugar palm {Arenga saccTiarifera) 
of the Malay Archipelago has borne (for the first time in Ceylon as far as I can learn) a large quantity 
of fertile seeds, from which a stock has been raised. Among others which have flowered and fruited 
for the first time here are Joannesia princeps, Sideroxylon dulcificum, Diplothemum inaf'itimum, 
Pritchardia grandis, Euryale ferox, and EnteroloMum cgclocarpum. The following have flowered 
only for the first time : — Acalyp)ha ScmdeyHana, Allamcmd Wardleana, Garyocar nuciferum (at Henarat- 
goda), Glomeriajasminiflora, Benantliera alba, Sterculia acerifolia, Strohilanthes Dyerianus, Randia 
musscenda, Lagerst?'cemia tomentosa (?), Bigtionia mag7\ifica, Agave glaucescens, and several orchids. 
It may be recorded as a rare occurrence that a tree of "Calamander" (Diosjjyros qucesita), 
which is becoming very rare in Ceylon, was found in the Province of Sabaragamuwa, in July last, 
bearing a crop of fruit. Seeds from these have been sent us by the Assistant Conservator of Forests, 
Western Province, and the plants raised from them are being carefully attended to. 
Visitors. — Foreign visitors have been slightly on the increase, judging by the number of 
signatures (2,780) in the book kept at the entrance lodge. Among these the following botanists may 
be mentioned, apart from those who have worked at the Laboratory : Mens. Prudhomme, Director of 
Agriculture, Madagascar ; Mr. Maiden, Director of Botanic Gardens, Sydney ; Mr. D. G. Fairchild, 
Agricultural Explorer to the United States Department of Agriculture ; Mons. L. Pynaert, Director 
of Botanic Gardens, Upper Congo, Africa ; and Mr. Stanley Arden, Superintendent of Government 
Experimental Plantations, Federated Malay States. It is interesting to mention that a departmental 
album (purchased by the staff) has been placed in the Library. This is intended for photographs of 
scientific visitors as well as European and native officers who have held prominent offices in the 
Department, with a brief note as to service, &c., accompanying each photograph. 
Fences. — Several of the old fences have been repaired, the one round the Lucerne plot was 
renewed, and a new fence, 128 lineal yards long, made of posts, rails, and wattles, was erected round 
a plot of land below the young gardeners' rooms. This enclosure is required for an additional nursery 
and for growing small patches of fodder. 
Cinchojia. — A small piece of jungle to the north of the camphor plantation has been cut down, 
cleared, and planted with plants of a special variety of cinchona. The plants were presented by the 
Manager of the Ceylon Tea Plantations Company. They made a very good start and grew into strong 
sturdy plants, but unfortunately the sambur deer found them out in the early part of December, and 
destroyed nearly every one. 
Casuarina plantations. — The Casuarina plants, planted in patana land last year, have done 
very well. The rows which received a handful of lime to each plant show much better growth 
than those without. Some of these plants have grown to a height of 8 feet. They have, however, 
suffered much from the attacks of sambur deer, which have on several occasions broken through the 
fence and eaten off many plants. New plants have been set out to supply those destroyed, and this 
plantation promises to be a success. 
Camp)hor. — There has been a great demand for camphor plants, and although we have not 
been able to supply the actual numbers applied for, every applicant has been supplied with some. 
No seeds have been received during the year, and as cuttings do not strike readily our stock is very 
nearly exhausted. 
Experiments as to the quantity of camphor contained in the trees here have been undertaken 
by Mr. Kelway Bamber, and the results have been encouraging. 
The plants here have continued to grow rapidly, and a few have flowered, though no fruit has 
set. This plantation is now five years old, and the largest tree is 22 feet high with a spread of 
branches of 15 feet, the stem being 27 inches in circumference at the base. One tree was partly 
coppiced on the 8th August, and gave 112 lb. of leaves, branches, and stems : three old stems 
were left uncut. The shoots from the cut stems number 39, the largest being 4 feet high and 1^ inch in 
circumference. This is remarkably good growth, and shows how well this plant will stand coppicing. 
Several plants have been clipped with hedge sheers, and others cut down like tea bushes. All have 
stood this treatment well and have broken into new growth in a very satisfactory manner. Judging 
from the way it behaves here, it is a very desirable plant to grow, and is likely to prove profitble. 
Oaks. — The plantation of Queixiis ceris, "Turkey Oak," has now become established, and 
promises to be successful. Both this species and the common English Oak, Quercus rohiir, broke 
