6 2 
RUBBER PLANTING IN CEYLON 
while the blacks huddled together at the stern. I had barely embarked, 
when down came one of Mr. Wither's coolies with two steamer chairs, 
one of which he had thoughtfully brought for me. After a most ear- 
splitting whistle, the little steamer cast off and started down the deep, 
muddy stream. Shortly after leaving the pier, we passed the Clyde 
estate, which shows a large planting of tea and Para rubber, the trees 
young, straight, and tall. The run down the river was a pleasant one. 
but in no way exciting, and earl)- in the forenoon I took a train from 
Kalutara and was again back in Colombo. As I planned to leave for 
the Kelani Valley that afternoon, I went to the Grand Oriental Hotel 
for breakfast and a siesta, from which I was awakened by a pleasant 
young reporter, who interviewed me most thoroughly. I want to say 
in passing that all through the East the newspaper men seemed alive 
to the importance of the rubber question, and printed many columns of 
