Nov. I, 1897.] 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
347 
3. I have already requested the Assistant Con- 
servator to make an estimate of plantations on a 
lai'ger scale than has hitherto been done, and as soon 
as it is submitted 1 shall forward it with my remarks. 
4. I can however state here that if a large planta- 
tion is taken in hand it will be necessary to have a 
special superintendent in chai-ge of the plantation 
for the Assistant Conservator, with his numerous 
duties requiring his presence in different parts of two 
Provinces, will be unable to devote sufficient time to 
a plantation which requires constant supervision. — I 
am, &c., A. F. BEOUN, Conservator of Forests. 
The Conservator of Forests to the Hon. the Colonial 
Secretary. 
Office of the Conservator of Forests, Colombo, 
May 25, 1897. 
SiH, — In continuation of my letter No. 202 of 20th 
instant I have the honour to annex copj' of a report 
on the subject by the Assistant Conservator of Forests, 
Western Province. 
2. Mr. Lewis proposes to plant 300 acres per 
annum, and .submits an estimate for the first year 
amounting to E10,202, or B34 per acre. Against 
this expenditure he shows an estimate of revenue from 
the sale of timber, firewood, &c., amounting to 
E4.200. The net expenditure w’ould therefore be Eb,002, 
or K20 per acre for the first year. To this amount 
would have to be added the expenditure in the second, 
third, and fourth years on weeding and supplying, 
which I expect would amount to R12, E8, and E5 per 
acre, respectively. 
3. To my mind, if such a place can be selected 
I would much rather keep the plantatiots in 
one block than open a number of different plan- 
tations at various points. Such a multitude of 
plantations would not only increase the cost of 
fencing and watching, and the cost on a larger 
number of cooly lines, but it would do away with 
the advantage of having a special superintendent 
always on the spot. 
4. If Government wishes the work to be taken 
in hand, I shall early next month inspect the 
place near Pelenda where the Assistant Conserva- 
tor proposes to start work. It will also be neces- 
sary to issue instructions to the Director of the 
Botanic Gardens to reserve all the seed from the 
trees at Henaratgoda for our plantations. 
5. Finally, 1 beg to point out to Government 
that the expenditure on these plantations lessens 
the chance of a surplus for the Department, and 
that if it intended that the Forest Department 
should show an increasing net revenue, the start- 
ing of these plantations should be put off. — I am, 
&c., A. F. Bboun, Conservator of Forests. 
The Assistant Conservator of Forests, Western and 
Sabaragamuwa Provinces, to the Conservator of 
Forests. 
Colombo Kaohoheri, 20th May, 1897. 
EUBBEB CULTIVATION, PASDUN KOBALE 
AND KUKULU KOBALE. 
SiE, — With reference to our conversation at Avisa- 
wella on the 12th instant, regarding the further ad- 
dition to the area of land under rubber cultivation, I 
have the honour to state that I think it ispossible 
that at Pelenda in the Pasdun korale, and in the 
delta formed by the Pelan-ganga, Kukulu-ganga, and 
Maguru-ganga streams, that the total extent might 
be brought up to say 3,000 acres. 
2. I rnay remark here, however, that the question 
of area is not so difficult a' the selection of land of 
a suitable degree of fiatnei- situation, soil, and ele- 
vation : for, while it is perfectly possible to find an 
even larger extent, experience shows that it is unde- 
sirable to plant steep hill sides or swampy lands, or 
lands in which the soil has a high percentage of sand 
in its composition, with this product. 
3. Under these circumstances it is extremely diffi- 
cult to fi d a continuous piece of land with all suit- 
able conditions, and therefore I would respectfully 
suggest that selected areas be first fixed upon, and 
if their success will justify it they could in many 
cases be connected by opening the intermediate areas, 
4. I am of opinion that in this way a most profit- 
able block of 150 acres could beoblaiued iutheowita 
lands in the Kukulu korale; where there are 850 acres 
of this sort of land, but I think it would be unwise to 
select any below flood level, and so I restrict the 
proposed extent there to 150 acres. I have afurther 
reason for suggesting this land in particular, as it is 
both flat and fertile and might be specially worked 
as a centre for raising seed, for which it is reason- 
able to anticipate a very large demand as rubber 
becomes known as a permanent industry ; aud judg- 
ing by results of areas set apart in tea for seed bear- 
ing, it is not unreasonable to anticipate a very large 
revenue from this source alone. 
5. I may moreover point out that local labour in 
the Kukulu korale is not in such demand as in other 
places, where tea estates absoib all available hands 
for plucking, &c., and therefore be easily obtained 
by us. 
6. I would venture to suggest -that 300 acres of 
rubber per year might be opened, and that opera- 
tions might begin at once this year, by selection 
and survey of suitable blocks, and preparatory 
extraction of all timber that could be first disposed 
of ; and if this is done under European supervision 
I anticipate that the return by sale of timber and 
firewood would more than pay the salary of the 
officer in charge, thus securing the services of one 
who would be able to devote bis entire attention to 
the proper management of the plantations at practically 
no cost to the estate. I submit that constant super, 
vision is essential to the proper management of such 
a plantation that I propose, to increase by 300 acres 
yearly, and for that purpose I have estimated for a 
European Assistant to be under my orders. 
7. Annexed will be found an estimate for opening 
300 acres at once, to be planted early in 1898 with 
plants to be first grown in a nursery, for which pur- 
pose all the seed at Henaratgoda should at once 
be secured ; and I may add that I have, in anti- 
cipation, communicated with the Director of the Botanic 
Gardens to know what quantity can be obtained. 
8. Finally, I would beg to be informed with as 
little delay as possible if I may make arrangements 
for the selection of 300 acres of land, and if the 
estimate may receive sanction. — I am, Ac., 
Feedeeick Lewis, 
Assistant Conservator of Forests, 
ESTIMATE OP COST OP OPENING AND PLANTING 300 
ACEES OF FOEEST LAND WITH EUBBEB : 
PASDUN KOEALE. 
Felling and clearing 300 acres of forest at 
R12 per acre . . . . , . 3,600 
Lining 300 acres 10 ft. by 10 ft. at B2 
per acre .. .. .. 600 
Holing 300 acres at 75 boles per cooly, at 
40 cts. = 130,680 -j- 75 by 40 . . . . g97 
Filling and planting and carrying plants 
from nursery to loVq, 300 per cooly, 
at 40 cts. = 100,1 8' ' -f 300 by 40 . . 175 
Draining : 300 it. ol di ains per acre at 1 ct. 
per ft. run ... . . . . 900 
Lines for coolies : one shed of 10 rooms of 
12 ft, by 10 ft., mud walls and battocalla 
roof, at R30 per room . . . . gpo 
Roads for inspection : 2 miles at R80 
per mile .. .. .. igq 
Bungalow for Assistant ; improvements to 
present building at Midellana plantation 75 
Plant nursery, including watering of seed 
beds . . . . . . . , ISO 
Weeding (assuming the opening of the land to 
be in July 1897), at Ri pier acre, for six 
months = 300 by 6 . . . . 1,800 
Cost of surveying lines round plantation, 
say . . . . . . . . 75 
Contingencies, such .as special work, 
bridges over streams, or supplying va- 
cancies, &c. . . . . , . 250 
Total actual outlay 8,783 
