be brought into competition, excepting Ceylon and India 
itself, where, however, some of the other conditions are tar 
less favourable. It may be contended that little ^ known 
of the yield over a large area, which is true, but on the other 
hand, we do know what considerable numbers of indiffer- 
ently cultivated individual trees have given, and there is 
no reason whatever for fearing that our average yield will 
be less than that at any other country. 
The area under rubber (principally Para) at the end of 1902 is 
given approximately at 16,000 acres. 
Rambong .— The cultivation of the Ficus Elastica {Rambong) de- 
serves moYe consideration than it has yet received and I would 
draw attention to the following observations contained in the rep jr 
above referred to, and to the words therein which I have italicised. 
Gutta Rambong {Ficus elastic #).— A small sale of this 
rubber from about 4 year old trees was put through at $190 
per pikul, the average yield per tree being about 10 oz. 1 he 
lot in question was the most ordinary ‘ scrap, and for 
really good stuff a much higher price would probably have 
been paid. 1 he cost of collection was very heavy, the 
quantity being only a very small one, still the margin of 
profit is sufficiently wide, at the price quoted to make the 
cultivation of Rambong well worth -considering. This va- 
riety has the advantage of yielding nearly two years sooner 
than Para, and gives a heavier return per tree, it is also 
cheaper to open, being planted not less than 30 x 30 
spreads with great rapidity, consequently keeping the weeds 
down well, and is indigenous to the country. It moreover 
arows with great luxuriance in well-drained peat land where 
no other cultivation does any good at all. T appmg is easy^ 
and requires nothing like the care that is necessary with 
Para but the latex is slow to coagulate when poured out in 
pans and the value of really good Rambong “ biscuits is 
at present an unknown quantity. The idea seems to be 
that the quality of this rubber is inferior, but so 13 
known about it when really carefully prepared, and the price 
realised for the “ scrap” referred to was so satisfactory, 
that it w'ould certainly appear to merit much greater at 
tention. 
Coconuts— To ensure united and systematic action against Lhe 
enemies of the coconut palm— beetles, rats, wild pig, porcupine 
a Federal Inspector, under the "Coconut Frees Preservation 
Enactment,” was appointed towards the end of the year. His 
labours have been highly appreciated by Europeans and native, 
alike, and have already met with a considerable measure . - 
cess. Mr. L. C. BROWN, the gentleman appointed to the newly 
created post, has had great experience of coconut plantations in 
the Straits Settlements, and he reports that in many Qistncts here 
the soil is admirably adapted for the growth of the palm no ma 
nure is required, the most favourable conditions exist, the tree^ 
