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at the same elevation throughout otherwise the object aimed at is 
lost. Any wash from the slopes is retained on the flat terraces and 
this assists in the nourishment of the tree. Should the land be very 
steep it is advisable to plant some cover-crop such as Centrosema 
plumieri on the slopes and it may be desirable to establish 
a strong growing plant, for instance, citronella or lemon grass, 
along the edge of the terraces. The fiat terraces are maintained 
clean weeded and tilled when required, i have seen remarkably 
good results from rubber grown under such conditions and have no 
hesitation in recommending it for hill land. One estate in Negri 
Sembilan has a good area planted in this way and the writer was 
much struck with the growth of rubber there as compared with that 
of similar age in adjacent fields. Terracing cannot be recommended 
for previously planted areas and in such cases circular plots may be 
gradually constructed around the trees, this is best commenced 
when the trees are quite young, the diameter of the circle being 
increased as the tree ages. Should these plots be kept well tilled it 
is surprising how rapid growth is and there is every prospect of an 
excellent root system being developed. 
With regard to drainage of hill laud I think it is generally 
agreed that contour drains are unsatisfactory while perpendicular 
ones are good examples of wliat not to do, I am doubtful if any type 
of open drain, on hill land, serves its purpose in an efficient manner 
and in. the majority of cases it is better to dispense with drains 
altogether and adopt some such system as that referred to. 
Jii the case of undulating land tillage can generally he effectively 
carried out without any material loss. On the flat and gently undu- 
lating country, cultivation is, I believe, more essential and beneficial 
than on the hill, the obvious reasons being that flat land is, as a rule, 
heavier in nature, and has not as good air circulation, consequently 
responds better to cultivation. There are various forms of implements 
of tillage, ploughs, cultivators and harrows which do excellent work 
and may be used to great advantage on the flat and gently sloping 
lands, provided the timber lias been cleared and estate drains do not 
materially interfere with the work. Tillage should be commenced 
at as early an age as is possible in order to compel surface roots 
to grow at a greater depth in the soil and thus enable tillage to be 
done, in later years, with a minimum injury. 
The changkoll and fork are the most common implements of 
tillage here, and I propose, therefore, to make a few remarks regard- 
ing their efficiency. When used in young clearings it is, I believe, a 
waste of labour to changkoll or fork all over the area. Should one 
commence this type of tillage in circles around each tree, increasing 
the diameter as the root area develops, it is probable that excellent 
returns will be obtained when costs are considered. Ultimately, the 
eircles would meet and tillage would then be conducted all over the 
land, the greatest attention being given to culture in the middle of 
