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an example where trees are circled, it would be very easy 
to put in a few seeds around each tree. 
The Tephrosia grows rather high and ought on this 
account to be cut down once or twice a year, but in other 
respects this height gives the plant a great advantage, when 
fighting lalang and other high weeds. As it is not a 
creeper it may safely be planted together with rubber 
stumps, coffee, etc., without fear of their being interfered 
with; and as it is a good fertiliser, has few natural enemies, 
is very hardy and propagates itself when once established, 
it must be considered an ideal plant for its purpose. 
Under the conditions mentioned the planting of Teph- 
rosia represents a great and direct saving. Having how- 
ever reached so far, it might be rather interesting to see, 
if the step could not be taken in full, and the same plant be 
introduced with advantage also in clean estates. 
The question is what clean weeding costs, and how 
much money could be saved by planting Tephrosia. 
The general opinion is that 30 cents an acre a month is 
a low price for weeding. This is often not sufficient and also 
it is only the pay of the coolies and does not include anything 
for management and other consequent expenses, so that 
really the expenses are much higher, and a fair idea of what 
it costs would be obtained by charging all expenses for up- 
keep of an estate to weeding, as of course little other work 
remains to be done. 
If an estate when first planted up could be left to itself 
until the trees came into bearing, then the saving ought to 
be at least $1.50 an acre a month and in many cases much 
more, of say as a low figure $20.00 per annum; and it now 
remains to be seen, what it costs to establish Tephrosia, and 
if by this proceeding the above money could he saved. 
The first it§m is easy to settle, I have found $4.00 an 
acre ample and to spare. 
The second point is also easy; experience from aban- 
doned estates and other places show, that if not hampered 
by lalang or grass, trees will grow as well or better under 
natural condition that is in weeds, as in clean land. 
When now comparing the merits of the two methods 
we get: 
Tephrosia. 
Cost of establishing Tephrosia . . . . $4.00 
Weeding expenses for 5 years per acre . . $100.00 
A I 
