219 
been heard of it nor has its receipt been acknowledged.* 
A similar fate befell a consignment ot 5*000 Para rubber seeds 
Oil contained in which were despatched on the 22nd September. 
Para rubber seed. This seed contain a large percentage of oil, which so 
far as I am aware, does not yet enter into commerce. If however 
the virtue of the oil expressed from the seeds was demonstrated a 
market might be found for it and probably a successful bye-product 
would be in the hands of the cultivators of the Para rubber tree. 
17. Several attempts have been made to induce Malay youths 
Teaching agricul- to enter the Plantations with the intention of teach- 
ture to natlves - them to take a lively interest in agricultural 
matters, but although paid the wages of a working coolie and al- 
lotted the easiest tasks no boy has been persuaded to stay any 
length of ti.ne ; In conversation with the late Mr. Driver, Federal 
Inspector of Schools, he gave it as his opinion that it would be 
impossible to obtain boys of any nationality from the English 
schools, owing to the demand at present existing for well-paid 
c erks. This, however, does not I think generally apply to the 
class of natives who might be expected to take up agriculture, and 
1 am of opinion that the opportunity of instructing natives in agri- 
cultural pursuits based on sound principles is one that ou<dit not 
to be lost sight of; though until the Plantations have reached a 
more advanced stage it may perhaps appear to be a little pre- 
mature. Any scheme of this kind to be successful should be con- 
n r C u a Sch ° o1, and less ons in agriculture should form part 
ot the daily training, and each student allotted a piece of ground 
to be cultivated under the supervision of the officer in charge, and 
allowed to sell the produce. The students would then have an in- 
terest in their work, which would be stimulated by the possibility 
ot protits which might accrue. 
18. It having been reported from India that applications of the 
White ants. Gondal fluid have proved very effective against the 
ravages of white ants, endeavours have been made to 
procure the ingredients locally. This, however, has not been pos- 
sible, and I am now in correspondence with Sir G. Watt, Reporter 
2 ? E< ^ n 2 miC Products to the Government of India, on the subject. 
Should the experiments in this direction prove successful probably 
some local tradesman will endeavour to procure the ingredients 
and stock them, or even stock the ready mixed fluid. 
19- ^ September I furnished you with a report on Para rubber 
Rubber experi- in the Malay Peninsula, which although not so com- 
men s. p] ete as ; t mig-ht have been, dealt with most of the 
points at issue in connection with the cultivation of this tree and 
the extraction and coagulation of the latex. 
R - of the Imperial Institute writes 
Editor. 
