11 
The adoption of living supports 
however, as in every way more 
the Chinese. 
by the Achinese ( Dadup ) is a point I would rccommncd, 
natural and economical than dead wood as used by 
. i Tea — The cultivation of tea is likely to prove a success in the Straits it 
handled with forethought and care. The chief drawback is the tendency the soil 
has to rent and fissure, even during a short period of drought, but this could be reme- 
died by making special compost and planting in large holes. 
{ 9 Cardamums .—Further experiments with Cardamums show that the atmos- 
phere in Singapore and Penang is apparently too dry for the proper cultivation of the 
plant, but it would no doubt succeed admirably m some parts of the Aative States. 
13. Gambier . — Observations have shewn that the gambier plant may be cultivated 
for forty or fifty years on the same land without the land becoming exhausted, it pro- 
perly cultivated. * This is the opposite to the general opinion. I measured the steins of 
some plants of the age mentioned and found them about 18 inches m circumference 
close to the ground and still bearing large quautities of leaves. 
14 Croton Oil.— The Croton Oil plant produces seed freely in Singapore, and 
could no doubt be grown with advantage. I would strongly recommend it to planters 
for trial. 
15. Cassia Auriculata .— This is an East Indian bark which grows very freely in 
the Straits. The bark contains a valuable tanning principle, which would no doubt pay 
in cultivation. 
16. Cocoa . — The new varieties of Chocolate grow well, and the plant is now esta- 
blished in the Straits, but white ants, leaf insects, mildew, &c., play such havoc as 
almost to prohibit its cultivation in some districts. 
17. Nutmegs and Gloves.- The protracted drought in Penang tried the Nutmegs 
and Cloves plantation very much, many young plants died, but the drought was of ex- 
ceptional severity and has not discouraged planting. 
18. Hemp . — Some plants of Mauritius Hemp, planted for experiment among 
rough lalang, have coped successfully with that troublesome grass, and although tltcy 
have grown less rapidly, they have by means of their wide-spreading leaves, prevented 
the grass from covering them over and cutting od their supply of light. 
19. Rubber and Guttd Percha . — The Foreign Rubber trees mentioned in previous 
reports continue to grow well, but in a country where the best rubbers grow wild, it is 
somewhat superfluous to refer to foreign species, the ultimate success of which may be 
doubtful. AVhat is more required is the careful conservation aud cultivation of native 
kinds, the growth and pixiduce of which in our soil is not a matter of question. I beliexe 
a purely Gutta Taban forest, worked as they do timber forests in Germany, on say, a 30 
years rotation would yield a good return in profit, tnat is to say, a certain area, how- 
ever large, to be reaped (cut down if necessary) annually, aud a eoi lesponding ait.t 
planted wuth voting trees. 
20. Vanilla . — The cultivation of Vanilla is being tried in the colony. There 
are some native varieties which fruit freely, especially in Penang, but T doubt the 
suitability of our climate for the cultivation of Y. planifolia, the kind most prized. 
21. J laufjosteen and other Fruits .— The Mangosteen, which has lutherto been 
considered to fruit nowhere out of Malaya, is now reported almost simultaneously as 
bearing fruit in Jamaica, Ceylon, aud India, and must be near bearing in the Mauii- 
t>us and Seychelle Islands. 
I he cultivation of fruit pays well in the Straits, and orchards might be gioatly 
extended with advantage. 
N. CANTLEY, 
Su per/ntendent' 
