2 
Experiments have been carried out as mentioned in a previous 
article* at the suggestion of the Director of Agriculture to compare 
the germinating power of seeds from tapped and untapped trees 
(Expt. I.) and to see if by coating the surfaces of the seeds with 
various substances (Expt. II.) the germinating power could be re- 
tained for a longer period. The tapped and untapped trees selected 
for the experiments are 12 years old ; the first mentioned have been 
tapped for the past 2 years, the seeds were collected fresh each 
morning and treated as mentioned in the following list. 
Experiment I. 
The Vitality of Seeds from Tapped and Untapped Trees. 
All seeds were packed with burnt padi husk in biscuit tins, each 
containing 200 seeds. The tins were wrapped in brown paper and 
sealed. 
Boxes Nos. I, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were kept 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10 weeks 
respectively then opened, and the seeds planted in well prepared 
nursery beds. It will be seen from the tables that seeds from un- 
tapped trees gave on an average 50 percent, higher germination than 
those from tapped trees reckoned on the absolute percentage. In 
each test the former showed from two to three times as many ger- 
minations as the latter. 
A record of similar experiments is published in the Circulars and 
Agricultural Journal of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Ceylon, Volume 
IV., No. II, May 1908. This circular states that “seeds from tapped 
trees kept for five weeks did not germinate but those kept for four 
weeks showed 28 per cent, germination while seeds from untapped 
trees kept for four weeks did not germinate and those kept for three 
weeks showed only 3 per cent, germination. Both in percentage, ger- 
mination, and time of germination the seeds from tapped trees are 
better throughout/’ No information is given regarding the manner 
in which the seeds were kept previous to planting. 
It will be seen that the Ceylon figures are at variance with those 
obtained here, but it is difficult to say why this should be. 
The Ceylon Circular also states that seeds from tapped trees 
are smaller, weigh less per 1000 seeds than those from untapped 
trees. This agrees with the figures obtained here, namely, seeds 
from untapped trees were found to be on an average 10.7 per cent, 
heavier than those from tapped trees of similar ages. The figures 
in Experiment I. are of interest not only as regards the suitability of 
exporting seeds from untapped trees but they also tend to show the 
effect tapping has on the vitality of the seed. Tapping lessens the 
weight and size of the seeds, and according to the present experiments 
reduces the germinating power. 
* Agricultural Bulletin of the Straits and Federated Malay States Vol. X. No. II, p. 345 , 
Novemb.r 1911. 
