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As a purely decorative plant it appeals to many and is largely 
cultivated in temperate countries for this quality alone, but the chief 
product derived from this plant, as perhaps every one knows, is the 
valuable oil obtained from the seeds. 
There are many varieties of this plant — the seeds varying in size 
and shape, but for all practical purposes, the numerous forms may 
be grouped into two classes, i.e., the large-seeded and small-seeded 
kinds. The former are more prolific in yield of seeds and the oil 
obtained from them is largely used as a lubricating oil, and in India 
it is used as an illuminant and is commercially called “ Lamp Oil ” 
The latter, i.e., the small seeded kinds, yield a much finer oil and this 
is preferred for use in medicine. 
The soil best suited to the Castor Plant is, a rich well-drained 
sandy or clayey loam. Owing to its well developed root system the 
Castor plant demands a deep rooting medium. The Castor plant 
soon exhausts the soil and if virgin land is not available for the crop, 
natural or artificial manures are necessary. It will be readily seen 
that round coolie lines is an ideal situation for this plant, in so far as 
food is concerned as decaying matter of all kinds is ever to be found 
in such places. 
One of the most valuable manures for this plant is the residual 
cake left after the expression of the oil from the seeds. 
In the tropics the cultivation of this plant seems to be restricted 
by excessive rainfall, while in Malaya it is attacked and often denud- 
ed of leaves by a Caterpillar (Ophiusa sp.). 
Before sowing the seeds it is advisable to steep them in slightly 
warmed water for about 24 hours. This treatment soften the hard 
seed coat and tends to ensure quick and uniform germination. The 
large seeded kinds are generally planted in rows from 5 to 5 feet 
apart with a similar distance between the plants in the row. The 
small seeded kinds are planted closer, i.e., about 3 feet between the 
rows and 18 inches from plant to plant. It is advisable, to secure an 
event crop, that 2 or 3 seeds be planted at the distance mentioned 
above. 
After germination, the weaklings one be removed and the 
strongest one in each case allowed to continue its growth. 
In India the Castor Plant is seldom grown as a pure crop, it being 
usually interplanted with cereals or some leguminous crop. It is 
often planted as a border to cotton or sugar fields, when planted as a 
pure crop, about 10 lbs. of seeds 'of the large seeded varieties are 
required to plant an acre and about 14 lbs. in the case of the small 
seeded kinds. 
After thinning, it is advisable to slightly mould up the plants by 
drawing the soil up round the stem, this preventing moisture from 
collecting at the base. 
