2^6 
planting as a hedge along the line, to keep off trespassing cattle, 
goats and other animals. 
3. The General Manager for Railways is of opinion that Bambu 
hedges are unsuitable, because cattle can push through the strongest 
bambu hedges, cost of maintenance, trimming &c., would be too 
high, bambu does 110L thrive in wet swampy ground. 
4. You may happen to know of some cactus or other strong 
thorny plant which would serve the desired purpose. 
I have, &c., 
W. H. TREACHER, 
Resident General , F. M. S. 
7 'hf Director ok Gardens, 
Stm/ls Settlements , Singapore. 
Botanic Gardens, Singapore, 
Straits Setthmen ts, 
'June ijjt/i, 1903. 
SlR, I have the honour to acknowledge vour letter of June I ith 
asking about fencing plants for the Railways in the Federated 
Malay States, I should recommend Inga dulcis (Madras thorn) it 
will grow almost anywhere and does not object to swamp. It grows 
dense- and does not require much topping. Where cattle are a 
nuisance in breaking through we use also Mauritius hemp, green 
aloe, hourcroya gigantea the long spiny Raves of which prevent 
any animal from passing. 
Cactus is useless in swamp, and is only suitable for sandy spots. 
Sometimes we plant here both a row of green aloe outside the 
more permanent hedge of thorn, so as to prevent the animals 
crossing or eating the thorn till it has grown up as the aloes grow 
faster, though they are not so long lived, 
1 have, &t\, 
HENRY RIDLEY. 
The Resident General. 
Federated Malay States. 
Director. 
THE GROWTH OF MURVA FIBRE. 
Bate Tjga, 2pth May , 1903 
v Sl ir7! haV ' tlu * honour t0 acknowledge receipt of you 
No. K. G. 3531/03 of the 23rd instant on the subject* of 
fibre, or Sa.nseviena zeyhnica, and to report as follows : 
2. Murva or Moorva fibre is the product of Sansevieria rox- 
burghiana~m.w recognised as distinct from S. zeyla- 
nica, which plant was formerly supposed to ydeld this 
r lett < r 
Mur\ a 
Source, 
