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possible an almost thornless plant. If such a plant or plants 
can be obtained, the production of a race of thornless 
Mimosa can be accomplished, and I would ask all planters and 
others interested in this question to be so good as to observe the 
Mimosa in their vicinity and let me have any plants that show any 
tendency to be less thorny than the average specimen of sensitive 
plant. 
The sowing down or planting of cuttings of this plant on 
areas after clearing them of weeds should, if efficiently done, need 
no further care. In order to get the largest amount of benefit 
from the nitry lying organisms on tlqe Mimosa it is necessary each 
year to cut it down, forming a mulch, and allow it to grow up 
again. 
As the mimosa does not thrive in shade when the branches of 
the trees in a plantation meet and keep out direct sunlight entirely, 
the sensitive plant will be gradually killed. 
The amount of nitrogen added each year to the soil by the 
presence of the roots of the Mimosa is estimated at from 150 to 
200 lbs. per acre. 
Any planter laying down all or a portion of his estate with 
this plant will greatly help by sending to me figures of cost and 
results. It will be of greatly value if some area of similar rubber 
is still weeded as a “control” experiment in order that the 
difference can be more readily judged. 
Since writing the above notes, Mr. C. M. F. Ross, of Sungei 
Buloh Estate, has brought to my notice the fact that a small 
•creeping plant of the clover tribe, Desmodium triflomm D. C., 
is prevalent in his district on railway banks ^and bare spaces- 
I have examined the roots of this plant and they contain 
large numbers of nitryfying bacteria. The plant is a small 
shamrock, making a close turf on the ground not more than 2 or 
3 inches high. If this plant will hold its own and drive out 
undersirable weeds it has advantages over the Mimosa pudica, and 
I shall experiment with it in order to test its value compared to 
the sensitive plant in rubber cultivation. 
Ceylon Rubber Exhibition. 
All producers of rubber were much interested in the Rubber 
Exhibition in September organised by the Ceylon Government. 
Those planters who attended learnt both from the exhibits and 
the lectures and discussions much that was of great practical 
value to them in their work. I was deputed to officially represent 
the Federated Malay States and Straits Settlements at the Ex- 
hibition, and with Dr. Wills (Director Royal Botanic Gar- 
dens, Peradeniya, Ceylon), Dr. Cuthbert Christy (Uganda), 
