This naturally deteriorates the value of the rubber, and need 
not be. 
FICUS ELASTICA. 
The Rambong, Ficus elastica, has been rapidly falling into dis- 
favour of late years. In early days it was interplanted with Para 
rubber, but that system was soon abandoned. Naturally, wherever 
Para rubber grows at all well, Rambong, with its smaller and some- 
what irregular return of an inferior rubber, is out of the industry. 
But there are many parts of the world where Para rubber is a failure, 
while Rambong might succeed. M. Georges Vernet, who has made 
a study of this rubber from all points of view has reprinted his 
articles on it, formerly published in the Journal Le Caoutchouc et 
la Gutta percha under the title of Etude General sur Ficus 
elastica, with a number of photographs and diagrams. The work is 
well worth study by any who intend to plant Rambong. M. Vernet 
has no high opinion of the cultivation. He writes that in investigating 
the returns one hypothesis which has not been however exactly verified 
by experiment is that the average annual returns which decrease as 
tapping is continued, depend on the amount obtained by the first 
tapping. It is hoped to discover eventually a variety giving big 
returns with an insignificant annual diminution and to propagate 
this rapidly by marcottage or later by seeds. 
The trouble in Ficus elastica is the gradual falling off of the 
amount of rubber on bleeding every year. After a rest of some years 
it seems to recover. 
Till an improved race which gives more rubber and more 
regular supplies is obtained by selection he recommends the Tonkin 
planters to suspend the formation of new plantations. The plant is 
one of enormous demands, and very moderate returns, and its 
cultivation can only be remunerative if the expenses of the planta- 
tion are practically nil. He expresses a hope however, that those 
whose plantations are established may, by the aid of his researches, 
gain the best possible profit on the expenses already incurred. As 
to the rubber itself he affirms that when well prepared it will be 
almost equal to the best kinds in value. 
FASCIATION IN RUBBER TREES. 
From Mr. G. N. Stevens, of the Tong-Landor Estates, Chander- 
iang, we receive an excellent photograph of the fasciated top of a 
young Para rubber plant. The top of the shoot is broad and 
flattened, widening a little upwards and ending in two flat curved 
branches looking from a side view something like ram’s horns. 
Fasciation of this nature is not uncommon in Para rubber seedlings 
and specimens have several times been sent to the Gardens. The 
same monstrosity is common in very many other plants. In fact it 
is one of the commonest and most conspicuous monstrosities we 
have. The Cock’s comb so common in the Gardens, is a fasciation 
of a plant which originally had its small flowers in comparatively 
inconspicuous spikes. — Ed. 
