1 63 
quantity of oil, was obtained, while on the average the yield amounted 
to i‘5 per cent, on the fresh prunings, and it is upon this basis esti- 
mate may now fairly be made. The yield is somewhat lower than 
that from twigs of old trees in Japan, which give 2*3i per cent, and 
much lower than the average from the whole tree, vis., 4/22 per cent. 
From these experiments the cause of the comparatively low yields 
previously obtained was discovered, and in practice it should now be 
possible to secure the camphor without loss. Another detailed cir- 
cular will shortly be issued on the subject by the R. B. Gardens, 
but meanwhile I propose to briefly describe the method of planting 
and the precaution necessary in the distillation, if successful results 
are to be obtained. 
The Seed from Japan. 
Up to the present camphor has been raised almost entirely from 
seed from Japan, plants from cuttings not being readily raised in 
Ceylon. 
The seed is round, black, and the size of a vetch or sweet pea, 
about 7,000 going to a pound. The germination is frequently very 
irregular, but seed obtained in November should have a germination 
of 50 to 60 per cent. ; though in some cases hardly a plant has been 
obtained from several pounds. 
The seeds should be sown as soon as possible after receipt, first 
soaking them in water for 24 or 48 hours, and separating the heavier 
ones from those that float. The beds should be carefully prepared 
and protected from insects and vermin, as the seeds are very liable 
to be eaten. The soil should b a free sandy loam, with a good 
proportion of leaf mould, and well drained. The seed may also be 
germinated in pure sand or waste fibre, or Jadoo fibre, and any care 
given at this stage would be well repaid. 
It should be sown about three quarters of an inch deep, and the 
beds well shaded to preserve an even degree of moisture, which is 
essential for germination. 
The seedlings should, when 3" to 4" high, be picked out into well- 
prepared soil in supply baskets, and kept shaded and watered until 
they begin to grow, when the shade can be gradually removed to 
accustom them to the full sun. 
When 9" to 15" high they are at their best for planting out, but 
may remain in the nursery until 2' or more if the weather is not 
suitable It is needless to point out the necessity of waiting for 
suitable planting-weather rather than run the risk of losing them 
altogether, hut, if dry weather should occur after planting out, thick- 
ly mulching the soil round the plant with any available organic 
matter will do almost as well as watering to keep them going until 
the rains fall. Mr. NOCK has tried making cuttings from suitable 
branches, but not very successfully, as if too dry they soon shrivel 
up, and too wet and cold they decay before the roots are formed. 
These attempts were made at Hakgala, and possibly better success 
would be obtained at lower elevations and in a warmer climate. 
7 h$ 
