230 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
[CCT. r, 1897. 
journey from the Bohr Khampti State, found it 
lying in large patches on the Chaukkau and Mokoshat 
passes in April; these passes lie to the north-east 
of N’tupusa and are visible from Ningbyon; the 
heights are 8,450 feet and 7,000 feet respectively. 
If the tree does actually grow hirh up the moun- 
tains on the north-east it must experience severe 
winter frosts, but it is probable that the influence 
of the latter is modified to a certain extent by the 
position of the seedlings on the stems ot their hosts, 
and they very likely do not suffer to the same degree 
as they would if growing on the surface of the soil. 
Mr. O’Bryen, in his report on the India-rubber 
forests of the Bhamo district, divides those situated 
in the Hnkong valley into the following areas, basing 
his clasi-ification on the routes by which the rubber 
is exported. As these divisions are convenient for 
the purposes of description, I will not disturb them. 
They are : — • 
(i) The tract north at the Tanaikha from its 
junction with the Tarom river to a point 20 miles 
above Lagang village. 
' (ii) The southern basin of the Tanaikha from the 
Numgaum chaung down to a point 20 miles above 
Lagang village on the Tanaikha, excluding the sources 
of ihe Nampyu chaung. 
(iii) The area drained by the Namkong chaung, 
north of Kamaing, including the sources of the 
Nampyu chaung. 
(iv) The area drained by the Tanaikha south of 
a' point about 20 miles above Lagang village and the 
left drainage of the Namkong chaung between 
Kamaing and Mogaung. 
To this I will add, as No. VIII, the whole drainage 
area of the Taron river above its junction with the 
Gedu affluent, the greater portion of the India-rubber 
from this tract being exported to Assam, via the 
passes across the Patkoi range. 
The protection of the rnhher foreats. — As before men- 
tioned the Upper Burma Forest Rules relating to 
the tapping ot India rubber trees appear to be a 
de'd letter in the Hukong Valley and Namkong 
forests. And I have been informed by several Sawb- 
was, such as Ningbyen and Nitumtumsa, that they 
are unable to enforce these rults or attempt to 
interfere in any way with the rubber collectors, 
lioubtless they have their own reasons for not inter- 
fering, as the more rubber that is collected the greater 
the revenue paid to them for it. So it is not likely 
then that in the absence of any means of enforcing 
the rule the latter will be attended to. 
' Regarding the Hukong Valley itself, I think we 
are powerless to protect the India-rubber forests by 
any legislative methods unless we are prepared 
to take the country over and administer it directly. 
The Singphos are an exceedingly independent race, 
and at present realhg recognize no one as masters, 
under these circumstances, if we are not prepared 
to take ever the country, and if we still wish to 
preserve the rubber forests from extermination, there 
is only one course left open to us, and that is to 
nut a prohibitive tax on all rubber exported to the 
Myitkyina district from that valley, Of course there 
will be a great outcry from the Chinese firms en- 
gaged in the trade and from others, but unfortunately 
the choice of alternatives is very limited, and no 
half-measures are possible. The forests must either 
be completely protected or left alone; the Singpho 
would appreciate no other course of action. 
I very much doubt whether the Hnkong Singphos 
would understand very early why (in the event of 
a prohibitive tax being introduced) there would be 
no^ sale for their rubber. All they would concern 
themselves v/ith would be the fact that there w'as no 
sale for it, and that therefore it was not worth 
collecting. There nauually would be a great falling 
off in the revenue, collected by- the various Chiefs, 
and it is difficult to see in what way they could 
recoup themselves, and perhaps this is the most im- 
portant objection to the introduction of such a tax. 
^ The protection of rubber trees growing in forests 
situated within our sphere of direct administration, 
though a difficult matter where Kachins, (Singphos) 
are concerned, need not ire ent any really serious 
obstacles, and it is possible that if reserves are made 
of the richest areas, and 1 he local Saw bwas in whose 
jurisdiction the reserves would be siuiated were in- 
duced to interest themselves in the protection of 
the forests, and that the subordinate forest officials 
appointed to supervise them were selected from 
amongst some of the better class of Singphos, a great 
deal may be done towards the protection of this tree. 
Work would be found for those who at present live 
on the proceeds derived from collecting rubber by 
getting them employed in the plantations. 
Formation of ruhher plantations. — For experience 
gained in .\ssam, it appears that it is quite possi- 
ble to undertake the creation of rubber plantations 
on an extens've scale with a fair prospect of their 
supplying large trees in the future. Under these 
circumstances it would be advi>ible to start such 
plantations in the richer India-rubber bearing tracts 
on the lines recommended in Assam. Local Kachins 
could be employed for the work, which they would 
probably take to readily. Seedling.s of the species 
are frequently found planted round the Kachin vil- 
lages, but they do not attain the same dimensions 
as trees that have grown upon the forest. — The 
Indian Agriculturist. 
CULTIVATION OF THE CHEPJMOYA IN 
MADEIRA. 
While on a visit to Madeira last autumn I was 
much interested in observing the extensive cultivation 
of the Cherimoya (Anona cherimolia) which is now 
being carried on there for the London market. Many 
of the estates on the warm southern slopes of the 
island, formerly covered with vineyards, have now 
been systematically planted with the Cherimoya, the 
sheltered valleys being particularly suited for them, 
the trees attaining a height of 30 to 40 feet and 
bearing abundantly. Propagation is by seed only. 
The young trees are grafted when about two years 
old and begin io bear aboi t three years afterwards 
When the leaves have fallen in '"ay the trees are 
pruned, only those branches which are likely to bear 
fruit being left. On some plantations the young trees 
have been topped when about eight feet high and 
the laterals trained along horizontal espalier s with 
excellent results. The trees are in this way brought 
under thorough control, can be eiHly pruned and 
the fruit thinned out. Stable manure is usually dug 
into the ground over a considerable area around the 
trees in the early spring months. The crop is gathered 
in December and January. As the result ■ f cultivation 
several improved varieties of the Cherimoya have 
been obtained bearing fruits with hardly any seeds 
and in which the fleshy eatable part is largely in* 
creased in quantity. The fruits vary in weight between 
three to eight lb., exceptionally large ones may reach 
161b. and over. The maturity of the fruit is indicated 
by the loosening of the seeds inside which may be 
felt when the fruit is shaken. They are still qul e 
hard to the touch but flt to pick and if laid in straw 
will rapidly ripen. The fruit is always cut off the 
tree with a sharp knife leaving a short stalk attached ; 
if it is pulled off the core is injured and the pulp 
spoiled. Special boxes are made for packing the 
fruit which are flist wrapped in paper and then 
embedded in straw ; each box holds about two dozen 
fruits. The journey to London gene’-ally occupies 
four days. On arrival they are unpacked and placed 
on shelves in a warm room where they quickly ripen. 
Average-sized fruits usually fetch from six shillings 
apiece, larger ones 10s. and more. The Cherimoya 
grows well in the mountains of Jamaica. Fairly 
good fruit is not uncommonly brought into Kingston 
for sale. I venture to think that it might be worth 
while to bestow more attention on its cultivation in 
view of the possibility of getting the fruit to London 
in good condition in cool chambers. The Cherimoya 
is rightly acknowledged to be one of the most delicious 
of tro|uoal fruits and there is no doubt that shortly 
the demand for it will in 1 e ise. very greatly. — fournnl 
of the Jamaica Agricultural Societg. 
Kingston. M. Gkabuam. 
