263 
or small jungle than over a bare soil, as its tendrils run 
over the tops of plants, gradually smothering and bearing 
them down as the weight of leafy matter increases. It is 
therefore unnecessary to cut the grass Before planting the 
Passiflora [better known as Passion Flower. — Ed., C. 0.] 
In all estates it is customary to keep the rows of rubber 
for 3 ft. on either side free from weeds, and to utilise the 
plant it is best planted up the borders of the clean rows, 
and induced to grow outwards over the intervening weeds. 
For lalang, a Selangor planter suggests a method 
adopted by a native tribe of tying large double-ha ndsful of 
the growing grass together with a few blades of the 
grass itself. This completely prevents growth, and the 
rain in the tied bundle soon rots the growing points. By 
planting cuttings or seed of the Passiflora between the 
bundles, the whole field will be over-run in a few weeks or 
months and the lalang entirely destroyed. 
When the growth has attained its maximum, and be- 
fore the plants die down, the whole mass of material, usual- 
ly 12 in. to 18 in. deep, can be rolled up like a huge carpet, 
leaving the surface soil in a perfect loamy condition, and 
quite clean and free from weeds. Such material is best 
mulched in large rings round each rubber tree, so that there 
h no continuous line of dry material running through 
the field, though the chance of damage from fire of such 
material is very remote. 
Unlike Crotalaria, this plant is not leguminous, and 
consequently does not increase the total nitrogen in the 
soil. But from its dense low habit of growth, which entire- 
ly covers the soil, keeping it constantly moist, and the large 
amount of organic matter resulting from the fall and decay 
of the leaves, &e., the beneficial effect is very marked. This 
is especially so on soils poor in organic matter as are many 
of our Ceylon soils, and for products, such as Para Rubber, 
which require a humid atmosphere and an ample supply of 
moisture in the soil. 
The composition of the plant is shown by the following 
analysis of the various parts made by the Acting Chemist, 
the whole plant when sun-dried losing on an average 70 per 
cent, of moisture: — 
Mechanical Analysis. 
Per Cent. Per Cent. 
Roots . . . . • • 5*0 Green stems . . . . 42*0 
Leaves and fruits . . 42*0 Woody stems . . . . IPO 
