below it, and sometimes much lower down. It is advisable to 
remove all the lowest shoots in this case, and leave only one or 
two at the top. The greatest risk to the plants is from the wet anil 
fungus attacking the cut top, and eating downwards. This seldom 
happens in the ?ase of stumps an inch or so through at the top but 
is not common in really big stumps. C ire must be taken m cutting 
the tops off to cut a clean smooth, and by preference, sloping sui- 
face. No splits in the top must he allowed. 
Planting by stumps is especially useful where for any reason the 
ground for the future plantation cannotbe got ready,,! ,meo 
fhe planting out. The young trees can be grown close togethe. 
in a nurserv for a whole year and then planted out as stumps. 
H. N. R. 
To the Editor 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
FICUS ELASTICA. 
Agricultural Bulletin, Singapore. 
Si K 1 have read with much pleasure the notes on the 
« Rambong’’ grown in Assam by the Indian Government. 
As I have seen this plantation it interests me all the morr. 
The amount of rubber extracted from the trees must be a great 
blow to the Indian Government as they told me they expected 
from 2 to 6 tbs. per tree at least. 
Mr Copeland’s report can be taken as true in every way. he 
was there during my visit in 1896 and took immense interest in 
fancy 1 M r Mann’s figure of trees planted in lines 100 feet apart 
and cleared for a width of 40 feet must be wrong unless this is a 
new system, as if the trees were only 25 feet apart it would allow 
for little growth, 70' * 35 ' is what 1 remember as correct which I 
believe gives 17 trees per acre. . 
A point which I wish our planters to notice is that the crown 
diameter measurements run up as high as 100 feet. Ot course I 
do not say all trees will grow so big but it seems to point to the 
fact that one chain apart is probably near enough. 
The system of cutting lines in our jungles 1 have given a good 
trial to and am convinced it is a mistake so much so. that after 
planting this way and finding the growth ol the plants almost nil, 
I clear felled 60 acres and after recleanng the lines and putting m 
fresh plants “ (where the others had been killed by the falling 
trees V’ the result was at once evident, the sun an 1 light brought 
on the plants and this block of land can now compare favourably 
with any other l have planted. 
Although the Assam soil is very good, our growth for Ficus 
Elastica is fully equal to anything they can show us and as per 
Mr Derry's figures thev are not in the same street with them as in 
regard to' vield. This may be in a way accounted for by the long 
