Louchodes breerpes, Gray, is a tong rather slender plain brown 
stick-insect. It was caught on the Gutta plants, and as these in- 
sects are leaf-eaters, it was probably devouring the leaves. 
REPORT ON THE BEAUMONT ESTATE 
By Mr. S. Arden. 
batu TIGA, 
Selangor , 2nd October , igo 2 
g 1Rj Acting under instructions conveyed in your letter No. Misc. 
,960/02, I have the honour to inform you that I proceeded to Klang 
on the 26th ultimo and in company with Mr. E. V, Carey, inspec- 
ted the Beaumont Estate. The instructions received do not specify 
any particular object in making this inspection, but I learn from 
Mr Carey that it was with a view to enabling me to record my 
opinion as to the suitability or otherwise, of the peculiar soil of this 
district for the cultivation of Ficus elastica (rambong), and my re- 
marks are thetefore chiefly confined to this subject. 
2 The Estate is situated some miles from Klang by which it 
is connected by a Government Road, within the reaches of a large 
stretch of flat country, the soil of which is presumably of a similar 
nature to that of the Estate under note. • • , . 
This soil is a peat of considerable depth, and I am informed that 
c’av has never been reached, although judging from the peat soils 
ot other Estates in the neighbourhood, which have been opened 
some time, fancy that in a very few years, a subsoil of clay will be 
found within a few feet of the surface. , D 
- The Estate is about 170 acres in extent, about 85 acres of 
which are devoted to-the cultivation of ‘ rambong/ This may be 
rouahly divided into three sections -.—{a) Trees 19 months old, 
planted 30 feet by .30 feet (about 48 trees per acre) which weie 
rouehly estimated to average 16 feet in height and 24 feet through 
the crown a wonderful growth for trees of this age, approximating 
that of trees twice the age when grown on hill land though even 
under these conditions the tree grows with great rapidity. 
\b) Trees 16 months old, the same distance apart, from 10-12 
feet high and about I 5 feet through the crown. . , 
(c) Trees about 12 months old, having an average height of 
about 9-10 feet and a crown diameter of about to feet, also planted 
- 3 °Acompa 3 r^o e n et of the dimensions given above will shew that the 
rate of arowth is equal to about 10 inches m height and 15 i inches 
in diameter per mensem, which cannot be characterized otherwise 
than as marvellous. The whole sheet of rubber presented a most 
even appearance, the bright red stipules surrounding the unexpan- 
ded leaves, contrasting with the deep green foliage and making a 
perfect picture, of luxuriant growth. , 
In addition to the trees mentioned above, there are about 5 acres 
of a vear old trees, whose growth had been checked by (ire some 
rime ago, bid which are now looking remarkably healthy. 
