1*3 
Ficus elastica. Thus we see that this plantation is in reality expen 
mental This plantation is situated in Mergu. the -uthernm st 
district of Burma where the climate resembles that o E the F eder 
Malay States. Further North the climate is totally d'fferent with a 
dry season of 6 months. The value o exports of forest produce 
amounted to about 4 4i million rupees lac contained to hfc™* 
important article of export which is I think, surprising, 
next in export value. 
A. M. BURN-MURDOCH, 
Conservator of Forests , F. M. S, and S. S. 
PASPALUM DILATATUM. 
Large Water Grass. * 
An article appears on this fodder-grass in the Kew Bulletin No. i, 
1002, (published in April, 1906). This valuable fodder-grass is a 
native of Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. It is widely distributed 
over the Gulf States of North America and was introduced by 
Baron von Mueller into Australia in 1892. It has since spread over 
the country and is considered one of the best fodder-grasses in 
Australia. Later it was sent to India where it has done well in 
parts. It is also cultivated in Natal and New Zealand. It is found 
also as a weed of cultivation in Porto Rico, Mauritius and the Straits 
Settlements according to the editor of the Kew Bulletin, but I can- 
not say I ever met with it in the Straits Settlements, before its 
introduction a few years ago. 
Seed was obtained on several occasions at the Singapore Botanic 
Gardens but failed to germinate ; Mr. Arden however, was more 
lucky in the Experimental Station at Batu Tiga and succeeded in 
introducing the plant which grew luxuriantly on the clay banks of 
that Garden. Plants were brought thence to the Botanic Gardens 
at Singapore and eventually established there. An attempt was 
made to combat Lalang with it but with no great success, probably 
under other circumstances it might be effective. 
In Singapore it grows fast and well, forming large clumps very 
soon. 
The peculiar thing about it is that it seems to thrive under the 
most diverse conditions. It is valued in Australia for its drought 
resisting powers. It thrives best in rich moist soil, and in West 
Australia it flourishes on poor mountain soil. It stands frost if not 
continuous well, and is equally happy in the damp hot region of 
the Malay Peninsula. It will stand sandy soils, even with a con- 
siderable proportion of salt. It will grow well in our alluvial fiats 
and on the yellow clay so common over large areas of the - Peninsula. 
As a pasture grass it has a great reputation. “ There is no part 
of it from the crown to the head that stock will not eat”. It has 
great milk producing properties. Its analysis compares very 
