( 5 ) 
lu view of the importance of the conclusions thus briefly indicated, it is proposed to publish 
details in the course of the next few months. The machine methods of preparing rubber have been 
patented. Mr. Parkin has also elaborated methods of preparation which are simple and inexpensive, 
and yield very good results. It is unfortunate that there is so little Casfillod in the Island that it is 
almost impossible to make a really fair test of the yield in different localities. 
Both the new methods of treatment of milk above-mentioned lend themselves well to the 
obtaining of rubber from young stems, and experiments are in progress to test whether the cutting 
of young plants when eighteen months old or less will give a good yield ; if this prove to be the 
case, it will of course obviate the present necessity and risk of waiting ten years for a return on the 
capital invested. Those who have large quantities of seed might well try broadcast sowing, or close 
planting of seedlings for cutting at a year or eighteen months old. 
Guttapercha. — This year the trees of Pai/ena Leerii, which give the "gatah sundek" of com- 
merce, have flowered well, and we have a fair number of young plants available for trial. Owing 
to the slow growth and small yield, this tree is however not very suitable for private cultivation. 
Rhea, or Ramie. — The experimental plots of this product have been extended, but owing 
to the short time that they have been cultivated it is too early yet to draw any conclusions as to the 
yield per acre. The plant grows excellently well here, but needs much manure. The whole 
question has been gone into in a very thorough manner in a recent issue of the " Indian Agricul- 
tural Ledger, " in which Dr. G. Watt pronoimces on the whole against rhea as a probable successful 
and profitable export cultivation for India. Many of the reasons upon which he bases this conclu- 
sion are also applicable to the case of Ceylon. So long as the price offered for ribbons is so small, 
rhea is not very likely to prove a pi'ofitablc cultivation in Ceylon. 
Other Fibres. — Palmyra fibre has been mentioned above. Kitul fibre has been exported during 
the year to the extent of 3,794 cwt., the largest exjjort on record. Sansevieria (bow string hemp), 
Sisal hemp, Mauritius hemp, and others are on trial in the gardens. A special number of the 
" Kew Bulletin " has lately been issued, containing a reprint of all the important papers on fibres 
that have appeared at different times in that Journal. 
Cinchona. — The export has risen to 975,784 lb., against 653,346 in 1897, and 1,309,560 in 1896. 
Prices have somewhat improved, and though it would be perhaps unwise to recommend any 
extension of the cultivation, there seems some prospect of a return from those trees already in 
cultivation being obtained for some years to come. 
(Jamphor. — There has been little application for this plant during the year, and considering 
the long period which must elapse before any return can be got, and the simple chemical 
constitution of this substance, this is hardly to be wondered at. It appears probable however that 
solid camphor can be obtained from the twigs and leaves, and as the tree coppices well like 
cinnamon this may prove a profitable method of cultivation, unless the present high price of the 
drug falls. Some prunings from the trees at Hakgala were sent to Mr. S. A. Owen, who obtained 
solid camphor from them by distillation at the rate of 15 lb. to the ton {Ceylon Observer.^ 
April 7, 1898). 
Other Drugs. — Plots of ipecacuanha have been planted out, but we do not have much success 
with this plant, which seems to need some very special conditions of soil or climate which we have 
not yet been able to discover and reproduce. We have a lot of plants available for any one who will 
Hndertake an experiment with them. 
A recent number of the Agricultural Ledger calls attention to the use in some parts 
of India of the seeds of the Totila {Oroxtjlum indicum) as a remedy in cattle ringworm and similar 
diseases. The tree is common in Ceylon, where its bark is used medicinally, and it may therefore 
be well to call attention to the paper above-mentioned. 
Rice. — The chief jDoint of interest in this cultivation which has come within the purview of 
this Department has been the outbreak of ■' weevil, " dealt witli in the next chapter. 
Tobacco. — The decline in this cultivation of recent years has attracted attention, and it is 
intended to take up the whole question in detail during next year, if possible. 
Grape-vine.^. — The vine is being tried with fair success in the garden at Anuradhapura, but 
the grapes suffer from the attacks of squirrels and other animals. 
Cilronella Grass. — The export of oil was the largest on record, amounting to 1,365.017 lb. A 
very full and interesting report upon this industry has been published in the semi-annual report of 
Messrs. Schimmel & Co. of Leipzig last October. It includes descriptions and figures of the 
processes and the machinery in use, and a map of the estates. 
Other Oils. — Cocoanut oil has been mentioned above. The export of cinnamon oil has some- 
what increased. Plants of different kinds of olives liave been obtained from Italy and will be tried 
in some of the dry parts of the hills in 1899. A small demand, wliicli may increase, has .'iprnng up 
for kekuna oil (the oil from the seed of the candle-nut tree, Ah'urite.'< fritn'ba). 
Tanning Plants. — Ganibier continiios to trrow fairly well ar Henaratgoda. but no experiinonts 
have vet been mailt- with it. .\ jtortioii of tlic canuigrc ]>lc)i at Hakgala was dug this year. It 
