1 
Thcw possibility of the fungus being disseminated by means of the fruit is open to doubt,, 
but if fruits from clean trees can be procured, it would certainly be preferable to that from 
infected trees, 
A discussion is being carried on in Ceylon relative to the value of lime and sulphur as 
a remedy for tins disease, both sides having very strong supporters, but it yet remains to be 
seen whether the application of these specifies have any permanent effect in checking its 
ravages. A new remedy, it may be noted, is new being tried in Johor, and the result is 
looked forward to with much interest. 
The Liberian Coffee has not; as yet shown any signs of being attacked with thewdisease, 
although some Perak planters have been scared by the yellow blotches on the younger parts 
of the branches, but after careful examination I have arrived at the conclusion that this is 
due to the hardening of the wood only, as it is always found at the base of the green wood 
next to the riper parts and never scattered irregularly over the branches. 
This species is evidently very impatient of deficient drainage to which it is far more 
sensitive than the Arabian. 
The plants raised from seeds received from Kew, in May, 1878, are now blooming 
profusely. 
Eight hundred fruits from our plants have been sent to Government Hill, Penang, and 
500 Sent tm. Perak. 
Abo lit 300 plants have been raised in the (gardens, but as the plant is now firmly 
established in the Colony, the Committee have decided to discontinue planting it. 
Very favourable reports have been, received from the Native States regarding the 
progress of the plants- of this species there, and there can now be no doubt that the Liberian 
Coffee has found a congenial home in the Malay Peninsula and adjacent islands, and its 
future propagation may now be left to planters, Ac. 
Gam Benzoin or Benjamin (Stt/ra.c Benzoin). — Through the kindness of L. Waxy, Esq., 
and J. G. Davids ox, Esq., a quantity of seeds of this valuable tree has been procured and 
sown, but as they take some time to germinate, no definite report can yet be made on them. 
India Rubier. — The plants of the American genera, IIcve.% and- Castilloa in the Gardens 
are now large plants, but hitherto propagation from the strong growths they are making 
seems rather difficult, whereas they used. to propagate freely from the weak wood produced 
while in pots. The Cast ill on is evidently at home here and produces leaves of enormous 
size, while the Havens make single growths, from two to three feet in length. 
Latest information from Perak give _good accounts of the Jleeei, but Mr. Low writes 
as follows respecting the Castilloa : — 
li This (the Castilloa') is now attacked by a worm which bores into the stein, and 
“ must injure it very much, as the holes are quite large, and it still continues its ravages 
c< which began many months ago." 
This is not very cheering news, and the life-history of the borer should be investigated 
at once, in order to ascertain its origin and progress of development, when some means could 
doubtless be devised to put a stoj) to its ravages. I would suggest the propriety of the 
Government appointing some one with some entomological knowledge to investigate this 
matter before the plants get extensively riivulated, and possibly the borer also. 
It would be interesting to learn from Mr. Cross and other South -American travellers 
whether the Castilloa is liable in its native habitats to such attacks as Mr. Low' describes. 
Oeara Scrap Rubber (Mnnihof Glazionii) must be omitted from the list of rubbers 
adapted to the climate of the Peninsula, ns it has invariably rotted off during continued wet 
weather. 
Specimens of other species of our indigenous rubber-producing trees have been sent to 
Kew,’ whence information about their nomenclature is anxiously looked for. 
The Right Hon’ble the Secretary of State for the Colonies has directed a report to’ be 
drawn up for the India Office, hut it must necessarily be incomplete unless the Kew 
authorities furnish the desired information. The Report is now ready, with the above 
exception. * . - 
Messrs. Trkaciier A Hi inn due have added considerably to our ‘knowledge of 
the Bornean species by their paper in the 3rd number of the Journal of the Straits Branch, 
of the Roi/al Asiatic Society, 
Specimens or plants of the Tin ;*: ( rcrofa elastica, Roxb.) are a desideratum, as all the 
go called Urceolas have proved to be Will ugh beta or Chilocarpus. 
About 1,000 plants of the two latter genera have been distributed to the following, 
establishments: — Kew, for the West-Indies and South- America ; Brisbane, for more Northern 
Colonists; Hongkong, Mauritius, Calcutta, Manila, and Rangoon. 
Gutta Percha. — Through the kindness of Hi gh Low, Esq., c.m.g., Resident of Perak, we 
have received a consignment of seeds of a species of Tsonandra producing “ Gutta Sundek,” 
from which, I believe, about 3,000 plants will be produced. 
The trees shown to me, when in Perak in 1877, as the ones producing “ Gutta S’undek” 
appeared to be Dichopsis macraphj/lfa. 
As so little is knowq *ahout the life history of the Gutta Rereha producing trees, it 
will he instructive to watch the development of these plants, and ascertain the number of 
years required to produce a fair sized tree from seed ; which, I think, cannot be-nmeh, if 
ajiy thing, under 40 years. , 
