240 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [Oct. 1, 1902. 
IREIGATION : Kkian (Perak).— This scheme was com- 
menced in 1899. Owing to difficulties experienced in 
procuring labour and to the unhealthy nature of the 
work, the scheme is not likely to be completed before 
the close of 1904. Approximately 100 square miles of 
paddy land will be served by the works The headworks 
will impound aome 7,256,000,000 gallons of water in 
a sheet of water covering 10 square miles. Themain 
canal is 15 miles in length and there will be 20 miles 
of branch canals, and, in addition, a large number of 
distributaries. The main canal will be capable of 
carrying 650 cubic feet of water per second. The 
scheme will supply water for domestic purposes as 
well as for crop irrigation and will act as a complete 
Bystem of drainage in seasons when the rainfall may 
bfl excessive. The estimated cost is over $900,000. 
THE CAUVERY FALLS ELECTRIC 
POWER INSTALLATION. 
Despite a hitch in the line arrantjements, leading 
to a breakdown at the start, the Can very Falls 
scheme promises well. The Falls are ninety miles 
from the Kolar Gold-Field, on which nob only is 
coal dear, but the scanty supply of water is another 
difficulty. Although not the longest electric trans- 
mission line in the world, there being one of 135 
miles length in the United States, the successful 
operation of the plant is a very important and 
interesting event. The contract with the Mysore 
Government provides for the supply ot 4,000 
horse-power to the various mines under Messrs 
John Taylor and Sons' management with tlie 
option of additional power to the same extent 
later. It was estimated that the first 4,000 horse- 
power would cost the Mysore Government 
£300,000 to provide, while the provision for 
doubling the power if required by the mines, as no 
doubt it will be eventually, will entail the dupli- 
cation of the plant, involving altogether a cost of 
some half-million sterling. The agreement 
with Government is for ten years, for the 
first of which £29 per horse-power is to be 
charged per annum to the companies ; for the 
second, third and fourth years £18 per annum 
and for the fifth year not exceeding £24 per 
annum. By that time it is estimated that the 
iVIysore Government will have recouped a good 
part of the expense it has been put to and for 
the remaining live years of the contracts the 
companies are only to be charged £10 per horse- 
power per annum. The Chairman of the Mysore 
Gold Mine, rather more than a year ago, gave the 
average cost of working by steam as £30 per 
horse power per annum, so that the advantage to 
the mining industry, apart from the important 
question of saving water, is obvious. — Railways, 
Aug. 13. 
"IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OP AGRI- 
CULTURE " FOR THE WEST INDIES, 
From Dr. Morris we have received copies of ; 
Reports on che Botanic Station, Agricultural 
School and Land Settlement Scheme, St. Vincent, 
1901. Report on the Experiment Stations at 
Monserrat, 1900-1901. Reports on the Botanic 
Stations,;and Agricultural School, Dominica, 1900- 
1901. 'Tlie Reports shew that good work is bein? 
done, especially in Dominica. Here are two inter- 
esting paragraphs referring to the last-mentioned 
Colony: — 
African Rubber (Funtumia ela'itica) : The trees 
continue to make progress. Sb9<ild the yield and 
quality of rubber prove good under the condition 
in which the plants are growing, this tree will h«ve 
proved itself hardy and worthy of cultivation in the 
West Indies. 
Central American Rubber ( Oastilloa dastiea) : — 
Five of the largest trees (over eight years old) are now 
ready for tapping experiments A second batch of 
these plants are growing well in another part of the 
station. When young this plant requires as much 
shade and attention as cacao. At this stage it is 
also liable to attacks of a ' white blight.' In Tobago 
this tree is being used experimentally as shade 
for cacao. That it may be cultivated side by 
side with cacao may be seen at this station where 
cacao trees, within a few feet of it and under its 
shade, continue in health and bear good crops. 
THE RUBBER FAMINE. 
To the Editor of the India-Rubber and Gutta- 
percha Journal, 
Dear Sir, — Your correspondent who writes about 
"The Rubber Famine " appears to have as much 
knowledge of the subject as a cow has of playing 
the flute. How can any sane man talk about a 
" famine," whilst the imports into Liverpool 
alone are about six thousand tons yearly, to say 
nothing of the supplies received in Hamburg, 
Antwerp, and elsewhere ? The supply is practically 
as inexhaustible as the sands on the seashore, and 
even if millions of rubber trees are ruthlessly 
slaughtered, others go on growing behind them 
as rapidly as the weeds in the back garden. 
There are, of course, fluctuations in the supply 
fiom certain districts, and difficulties in the way 
of collection and transport, but the supply is 
unlimited, and exports will certainly increase just 
as they have done steadily from Para, whence the 
output when I first knew the trade was only 
eight thousand tons yearly, but has now increased 
from 21,640 tons in 1896 to 27,730 tons last 
season. NiVLOC. 
— India-Eubber and Gutta-Percha Trades' Jour- 
nal, July 21. 
» 
A PROPOSED NEW INDUSTRY IN NEW 
ZEALAND : PAPER. 
The Government has sent to London a number 
of samples of New Zealand timber, in order that 
these may be thoroughly tested, with the view 
of having it decided whether it is possible to 
start the paper-making industry in this colony. 
Sir J G Ward, in mentioning this circumstance 
to the saw millers' deputation on Monday, said 
that one of the daily newspapers in Australia 
required as much paper in twelve months as could 
be made from timber dealt with by any sawmill 
in this colony in that period ; and if an industry 
of that kind could be started here, it would resnlt 
in great benefit generally. — New Zealand Mail, 
July 16. ^ 
DEATH BY POISONING. 
EATING A TUBER OF "GLORIOSA 
SUPERBA." 
A Dolosbage correspondent writing on August 
19ih, reports : — 
" The Oloriosa Superha is in fnll blossom just now, 
and an inquest wa^ held this morning on a Kangany'a 
wife at Pen-y-lan who tasted one of its deadly tubers." 
Trimen says nothing about poisoii : — 
" G. superba, Nijangala, S Kai ttikaikilankii, Ven- 
tonti, 2". Rootstock of arched, solid, fleshy, white, 
