15 
Mudar Fibre (Calotropis gigantea) . — Plants of Mudar have been in demand 
during the past year. 1 he plant on hand is apparently the white variety, and grows 
very freely in almost any soil. The downy substance contained in the follicles or 
seed pods" is the part most valued, but the stem also yields a fibre, which is said to be 
superior to the common Calotropis which by branching more is less valuable, i he 
plant also yields a Gutta. The juice often average plants is said to yield about a 
pound of Gutta. 
COTTON ( Gossypium arboreum) . — 'Cotton is found to do well on alluv ial deposits on 
the plains and also on hills up to an elevation of about 2,000 ieet as a hist ciop after the 
removal of virgin forest, but the soil of the Straits generally is unsuited for the culti- 
vation of Cotton, being too clayey and retentive. 
Kapok (Eriodendron anfranctuosum) . — The cultivation of Kapok is attracting 
much attention. The plant is of rapid growth and succeeds well on ordinary soils. 
Its cultivation in the Straits can hardly fail to be profitable under good management. 
Indian Hemp (Cannabis sativa) grows, but shews no hope of profitable pro- 
duction, the fibre being five times- .shorter than it naturally is when grown in a 
congenial climate. 
Other Fibres. — The following fibre-producing plants are also found to grow well 
in the Straits: — American aloe, Hibiscus of sorts," Bowstring hemp of sorts, Cus-cus, 
Palm and Pandan fibres, and numerous plants belonging to the Urticaceae, Verbenaceae 
and Malvaceae families. Jute has not been tried, the seed requisitioned not having 
arrived in time, but I have hope of the plant succeeding. 
OILS. 
Citronella Grass (Andropogon nardus) and Lemon Grass (Andropogon citra- 
tus \ q'he cultivation of these grasses would appear not to receive sufficient attention. 
Their growth in the Straits is all that can be desired, and the cultivation pays well 
when properly attended to, 
RuSA Oil Grass (Andropogon schcenanthes) does not seem to be known in the 
Straits, and so far I have not been able to procure plants, but that it will succeed here 
there is but little doubt. 
CROTON Oil (Croton tiglium). — Among recent introductions, this is by far the 
most promising. It seems to have found a climate and sod entirely to its liking in 
the Straits/ The plant bears heavy crops of fruit, its cultivation will no doubt prove 
a profitable investment. 
Illupi Oil ( Bassia latifolia). — Plants of this valuable oil tree do not appear to suc- 
ceed well in Singapore. They are much preyed upon by insects, and although the tree 
is found in a wild state at no great distance, it has refused so far to grow satisfactorily 
in this island. 
CASTOR Oil (Ricinus communis). — Castor oil is now largely used in the manufac- 
ture of soap, for machinery and other purposes. In the Straits the plant grows with 
great vigour, and under proper treatment its cultivation should pay. Some Chinese 
made an attempt to cultivate the plant in Malacca some years ago. The attempt was 
afailure in point of profitable return, and no one else seems to have fried it since then. 
I have strong reason to think, however, that the plant used was an inferior variety, i. e. r 
the variety common in the Straits, the cultivation of which could hardly have been 
expected to be profitable. The failure has had the effect of discouraging others, 
but there would seem no good reason to be discouraged so long as the plant has not had 
a proper trial. 
Cocoa-nut Oil [Cocos nucifera).— Little need be said of this well-known oil, 
but if is found that the plant does not yield sufficient crops to pay, when grown 
more than about half-a-mile from the sea; when grown in the interior of Singapore 
the crops obtained are said to be only sufficient to cover cost of labour. 
Olive Oil {Olea europea)— The olive plants introduced in 1885 and planted on 
/|GO 
