The other exhibition consisted of fine examples of Para and 
Rambong rubbers. 
By direction of the Committee a Medal was awarded in recogni- 
tion of excellence of exhibit which f should appreciate for myself 
if the Resident allows me to retain it. 
4. July 13th visited Penang Gardens and obtained 2 boxes of 
various plants including six seedlings Flint unia elastica (Kicksia 
africana) Lagos rubber, an important addition to the gardens here. 
I also saw Mr. Curtis’ specimens and planting of Getah Percha 
Dichopsis (Palaquium) gutta. 
Some large frees were fruiting at the time of my visit and the 
difference in trees growing side by side, only to be seen in the 
fruit, was noted. 
It is important to collect herbarium specimens of all varieties 
of Dichopsis for systematic classification, as otherwise in forming 
plantations it will not be improbable that, the best variety for plant- 
ing may be mistaken. 
5. Dichopsis does not appear to be fruiting on the Larut Hills 
at present. 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
Botanic Gardens, 
Singapore, 6th August, 1901 . 
A correspondent writes : — 
It is not very easy to advise you about your Ficus elastica trees. 
I can only say in a general way that you must be careful not to 
cut away aerial roots without due consideration, from the fact that 
you are reducing your area of stem for tapping purposes later. 
The same principle as governs tree-pruning should apply, that is 
where they appear to be too crowed, crooked or deformed, or grow- 
ing inwards, cut away but not otherwise. 
“ Ficus elastica , — Can you give me any information re treatment 
“ of these. I have trees 3^ years old 30' across and about 20-25'' 
“ high; they are throwing down so many aerial roots from branches 
that it is nothing else than a dense mass of small aerial roots be- 
1; fore you can get at the stem of the tree, — should branches be cut 
“ off close to the ground, — how far up. and should only a few aerial 
“ roots be left for sapping purpose later on. Any information 
“ you can give me will be much appreciated'’. 
Some months ago considerable interest was awakened by the 
local Press quoting an account of the delicious flavour of the fruit 
of the Cherimoyer, and the question was asked would it grow in 
the Straits. The following correspondence settles the point : — 
PERADENIYA, 
13th May , 1907. 
