T 43 
Experimental Gardens. — -During June, 1,902, the Com- 
.nittee appointed by the Resident General to confer with and 
advise the Superintendent, paid a visit to these gardens. At this 
time the land had not been finally acquired, and there was but 
little progress to report. Since that date no official inspection by 
the Committee has been made, but it is reported that some 60 acres 
have been felled and cleared, and that the Superintendent’s Buno-a- 
lovv, with a considerable approach road, has been built. The next 
report of the Committee, following a further inspection which will 
be shortly made, will be awaited with interest. The Superintendent 
has compiled an elaborate treatise upon the extraction and pre- 
paration of latex from the Para Rubber tree {Hevea Braziliensis ) 
accompanied by extensive statistics in connection with his experi- 
ments Hie samples of rubber prepared bv him were reported 
upon bv the London experts, at the instance of the Kew Garden 
authorities, with the most satisfactory results, the best quality be- 
ing valued at 4/4^ per lb. Your Committee are of opinion 3 that 
r p e m ed t0 a ?° V , e 1S a most valuabIe contribution to the 
literature of Rubber, and that ihe Superintendent has succeeded 
th^uTb 6 7 ‘ dea P revailil 'g in certain quarters, that 
the lubber produced in this part of the world is of inferior quality 
Agncultuml Bulletin.— This periodical has not only sur- 
vived the first year of its existence, but is growing- in popularity as 
it is becoming more generally known. A great all round improve- 
ment upon the .first numbers has been effected, and same very 
instructive photographs have been reproduced successfully The 
opportunity provided in its pages for the exchange of ideas upon 
matters agncuhura might certainly be more fully availed of, and 
-a b ! J 1 ° l - ed i hat adfi,tional interest In this' respect mav be 
evidenced during the coming year. ' 
Agricultural Show. It has been decided to hold an A«ri- 
h« been ao' V ?t t K r r a Lum P or in J uI y. > 9 °-b and a Committee 
has been appointed to arrange preliminaries, but at present no 
definite programme has been drawn up 1 
Public Auctions Of Coffee. This question has, for the time 
bung, been shelved, those interested in Singapore, with whom the 
matter was left, not having s0 far made any move. 
Savings Banks for Coolies.-The idea of providing facilities 
or coolies to put bv their savings, was suggested* your Assoc a- 
p°7 and ^commended to the authorities for consideration the 
Protector of I-abour signifying bis sympathy with the proposal 
Customs Duties Enactment.— This' has been amended at 
instance o, your Association, and now stands as below with 
respect to the export duty on coffee of all grades. 
SCHEDULE A. 
COFFER. 
Kxport Duty, calculated on the Singapore Market price at the 
t£n * 3 f ° r ^ and Ch ^ b - 
