May 2, 1904.] 
THE TROPICAL 
AGPJCULTURIST. 
757 
RUBBER IN KALUTARA DISTRICT, 
Those who know most conceiiiing rubber 
production in Ceylon and its future pro- 
spects are those who should be most opti- 
mistic or otherwise concerning the industry ; 
and Mr. R. W. Harrison is one of the mobt 
experienced rubber authorities in the island 
and also one of the more optimistic ones. 
His recent tapping experiments on some 
of the oldest and best-established Para trees 
in Ceylon would go to show that this con- 
fidence is not misplaced. Mr. Harrison's 
detailed letter on page 764 gives some exceed- 
ingly interesting information, and his letter 
will be read with considerable interest. A 
careful description of each of thi trees under 
experiment is given, and a full account of 
the method of tapping the same. Con- 
cerning the trees tapped, D, which gives the 
largest yield by 12 oz., divides in 3 main 
stems at 2 feet from the ground level ; we 
should like to know if this division of the 
main trunk is natural or the result of very 
early pruning, for— if the latter — it is an im- 
portant item in the cultivation. Mr. Harri- 
son's calculation of 100 trees to the acre, i.e., 
planting at 20 ft. by 20 ft. (really 109 per 
acre) gives each tree 400 square feet of room, 
which permits of two or more main stems 
per tree, and if these duplicate stems can be 
assured by early " topping" and will increase 
the average yield per tree, the matter is 
worthy of attention. The tapping operation 
is a more or less severe tax on the tree in 
healing up the cuts made by the tapping 
tool ; and the wider the cut, the severer is the 
repairing strain on the tree. Mr. Harrison's 
new tapping tool for finer paring will, 
therefore, be of value and should command 
a ready sale when placed on the market, as 
we understand is soon to be done. We shall 
look forward with interest to the results of the 
next tapping, in August-September, and shall 
have pleasure in giving Mr. Harrison's reports 
then for comparison. We shall be glad to 
have the tapping results of other rqbber 
planters for Comparison with these, and also 
aiy remarks Mr. Harrison's interesting letter 
may bring forth, for the benefit of all Ceylon 
planters interested in what is doubtless to be 
one of Ceylon's future staple products. 
TOPPING PARA RUBBER TREES. 
A SUGGIESTED METHOD FOR INCREASING THE 
TAPPING SURFACE. 
In connection with the recent important tap- 
ping experiments on Culloden Estate we have 
raised the question in the above paragraph as to 
whether eai ly topping of rubber trees would increase 
the yield of rubber by increasing the tapping sur- 
face of the tree. We have now referred tlie 
matter to Mr. R W Harrison, and he says that the 
question is one of considerable interest and im- 
portance. Tlie special tree referred to No. D in Mr, 
Harrisons letter, has three main stems, which we 
suggested mijiht have been produced by topping the 
tree when quite young ; however, 'in this case the 
three stems were quite natural. Mr Harrison says 
that the early topping would certainly in- 
crease the tapping surface of the maturer tree, 
9G 
AN IMPORTANT SUGGESTION. 
Our .suKgp.stion is that the young Hevea should 
be ouce topped, tay when first retnoved from the 
nursery and put out in the plantation. After this 
operation two or at most three of the strongest 
shoots should be kept and grown as leaders, wliich 
would develop in after year.s to large main stpnis, 
and instead of one stem there would be three 
olfering a much increased surface for tapping. 
This principle is largely carried out in horticulture. 
In all bush fruits, wall or espalier-trained fruit trees, 
grape vines etc, the stem of the young plant is 
topped and then several main stems developed for 
increasing its fruit-bearing branches. We do not 
think this process has yet been at all attempted 
n the case of the para rubber tree, and 
Mr. Harrison says he does not know of it being 
tiied anywhere, lint we should like to hear of 
an experiment in this direction being s-tarted, 
for we believe there is a good deal to rtcommend 
the topping process. Our cijlunina aie open to 
opinions on the subject, and we shall be glad to 
have the matter discussed. 
EUBDER ON CULLODF.X E.STATE. 
The rubber trees on Culloden Estate are just 
now in splendid condition, Mr. Harrison in- 
forms us, and the oldest trees, the subject 
of the recent experiment, are in an excellent 
state. The trees are planted out among tea, but 
gradually as the rubber grows the tea will be 
killed out. At present 8,000 trees are being tap- 
ped. Up to the present, tapping has been carried 
on throughout the year ; but in future none will 
be done during the months of January and 
February while the trees are resting. After a 
rainy spell the flow of latex is most liberal, but 
then it is somewhat watery and does not contain 
quite so great a percentage of rubber. 
RECORD PRICES IN LONDON. 
For purposes of coagulation a little acetic aci'l 
is used, without any resulting harm to the rubber. 
In fact, up to the present Culloden rubber is the 
finest that has ever appeared on th3 London 
market ; recently Culloden para biscuits fetched 
the top price of 5s 32i, while at the same sales 
rubber bearing the maik of Heatheily Testate, 
Kalutara, fetched the next highest piice of 5s 2id. 
May Ceylon rubber in ihe lionie market ever 
have the position of " top dog ! " 
THE EXTENSION OF THE JAFFNA 
TOBACCO TRADE. 
It is a matter of surprise to us, that the Jaffna 
tobacco trader, who is generally shrewd and far sighted 
has so far neglected to extend bis business beyond 
the Island. We are aware that a trade in tobacco 
is carried on with India, but at present it is of a 
limited character. From the condition and hibit3 of 
the people of South India, we are inclined to think 
that the present trade may be considerably developed 
and that a brisk business may also be done in Jaffna 
cigars. In South Indii, there are millions whose 
habits and tastes are similar to those of the cooliea 
on the Ceylon tea estate, who use oar tobacco. Why 
should not oar traders, instead of makiufj fruitless- 
efforts in the Island endeavour to introduce the 
Jafina tobacco and cigars smong them. An cqnally 
attractive field exists both iJ Barmah and in the 
Straits. In these coaotries, not only are the natives 
addicted to tobacco, bat there is a large colony of 
Jaffna Tamils, who will not gradge to pay anything 
for the fragrent weed from their native land, — Ja£fuE« 
" Patriot," 
