35 
Flaws may be found in the experiment, but nothing can be 
accomplished without expenditure of labour and thought, and should 
the only result be the gratification of one’s own curiosity or hobby, 
it is surely a step in the right direction. 
With reference to the question of seed selection the following 
interesting note indicates what work is being done at the Botanic 
Gardens, Singapore, with a view to obtaining high-yielding strains of 
rubber frees by careful selection of seed. (Ed.) 
In p letter to the Director of Agriculture, Federated Malay 
States, Mr. Burkill observes : 
“ When a block is tapped the good trees and the bad trees are 
marked with crosses of red or green ; and out of them further 
selecting will be' done. The indifferent trees are not marked. But 
three trees have been particularly selected on account of their 
well-established yield, and put out of tapping that they may furnish 
the best possible seed. The first choice is tree No. 27 and not only 
hafe it been put out of tapping but its neighbours have been cut back 
that it may have more light. Seeds of it will be distributed to you 
and others as soon as available.” 
