440 
Sungei Peradin, 
Kukub Estate, Johore. 
Colombo, 16th August, 1910. 
Peat : Surface Soil. This is a dark brown soil and composed 
entirely of decaying vegetable matter including decomposing wood. 
It is very acid, and when dry is in a fine state of division. Chemi- 
cally it is exceedingly rich in Nitrogen and plant food generally with 
the exception of Potash which, however, is in fair amount. 
Clay: Sub-Soil — This is a compact grey clayey mud, which 
dries very slowly and forms a hard mass, but this becomes friable on 
moistening. It is in a fine state of division, rich in Nitrogen and 
Potash, but a little deficient in Lime and Phosphoric Acid 
The soil is well suited for Rubber from a chemical standpoint, 
but a great depth of peat means some risk of loss from disease and 
more from the trees falling over as the peat contracts. I would 
advise close drainage gradually increasing the depth and spreading 
the material dug from the drains over the roots of the trees, so as to 
keep them covered. 
Owing to the marked acidity the application of ground or burnt 
Lime at least 5 cwts. per acre is advisable, and the following manure 
could be applied to supply any deficiency until the drying of the soil 
and cultivation renders the reserve plant food more available. 
PEATY SOIL. 
100 lbs. Sulphate of Potash, 50% potash 
100 „ Precipitated : Phosphate 40% Phos. Acid 
150 „ Nitrate of soda, 15% nitrogen 
200 „ Ground Lime, 95% carbonate of lime 
550 lbs. 
CLAYEY SOIL, 
100 lbs. Sulphate of Ammonia, 20% Nitrogen. 
loo „ Sulphate of Potash, 50% Potash. 
200 „ Precipitated Phosphate, 40% Phos. Acid. 
J 5Q „ Ground Lime, 98% Carbonate of Lime. 
550 lbs. 
The careful burning of stumps on the clayey soil is advisable, as 
the Ash will do good, and it will minimise the risk of femes, etc. On 
the peat it is too dangerous ; but if an acre of waste peat could be 
isolated where the peat could be burned, the resulting ash could be 
an excellent manure both on the peat and clay soils, though it must 
not be applied at more than 5 cwts. per acre at one time. 
