11 
The adoption of living supports 
however, as in every way more 
the Chinese. 
by theAchinese ( Dadup ) is a point I would lecommned, 
natural and economical than dead wood as used by 
II Tea .— The cultivation of tea is likely to prove a success in the Straits if 
handled with forethought and care. The chief drawback is the tendency the soil 
has to rent and fissure, even during a short period of drought, but this could be leme 
died by malting special compost anil planting in large holes. 
] 3 Cardamums . — Further experiments with Cardamums show that the atmos- 
phere in Singapore and Penang is apparently too dry for the proper cultivation ot the 
plants but it would no doubt succeed admirably in some parts of tlie JNati\c states. 
13 . Gambler . — Observations have shewn that the gambier plant may be cultivated 
for fortv or fifty years on the same land without the land becoming exhausted; it pio 
Tierlv cultivated. ' This is the opposite to the general opinion I measured the stems of 
some plants of the age mentioned and found them about 18 inches in circumference 
close to the ground and still bearing large quantities of leaves. 
] 4 Croton Oil .— The Croton Oil plant produces seed freely in Singapore, and 
could no doubt be grown with advantage. I would strongly recommend it to planters 
for trial. 
15. Cassia Auriculata .— This is an East Indian bark which grows very freely in 
the Straits. The bark contains a valuable tanning principle, which would no doubt pay 
in cultivation. 
16. Cocoa . — The new varieties of Chocolate grow well, and the plant is now esta- 
blished in the Straits, but white ants, leaf insects, mildew, &c., play such havoc as 
almost to prohibit its cultivation in some districts. 
17. Nutmegs and Cloves.- The protracted drought in Penang tried the Nutmegs 
and Cloves plantation very much, many young plants died, but the drought was of ex- 
ceptional severity and lias not discouraged planting. 
18. Hemp . — Some plants of Mauritius Hemp, planted for experiment among 
roim-h lalang, have coped successfully with that troublesome grass, and although they 
have grown less rapidly, they have by means of their wide-spreading leaves, prevented 
the grass from covering them over and cutting oil their supply of light. 
o c 
19. Rubber and Gufta Percha.— The Foreign Rubber trees mentioned in previous 
reports continue to grow well, but in a country where the best rubbers grow wild, it is 
somewhat superfluous to refer to foreign species, the ultimate success of which may be 
doubtful. What is more required is the careful conservation and cultivation oi native 
kinds, the growth, and produce ot which in our soil is not a matter of question. X believe 
a purely Gutta Taban forest, worked as they do timber forests in Germany, on say, a 30 
years rotation would yield a good return in profit, that is to say, a certain aiea, how- 
ever large, to be reaped (cut down if necessary) annually, and a corresponding area 
planted with young trees. 
20. Vanilla.— The cultivation of Vanilla is being tried in the colony. There 
are some native varieties which fruit freely, especially in Penang, but I doubt the 
suitability of our climate for the- cultivation of V. planifolia, the kind most prized. 
21. Jlangosteen and other Fruits . — The Mangostecn, which has hitlieit© been 
considered to fruit nowhere out of Malaya, is now reported almost simultaneously as 
bearing fruit m Jamaica, Ceylon, and India, and -.must be neai beaiing in the J\Xaui L - 
tius and Seychelle Islands. 
The cultivation of fruit pays well in the Straits, and orchards might be greatly 
extended with advantage. 
22. New Economics . — Introductions during the year include Mitnusops globosa, 
a famous West Indian Rubber tree ; Chinese ginger ; Chinese rice-paper plant ; 
Yoroba Indigo, Canonboli tree of West Indies, and West Indian fruits aud medi- 
cinal plants the growth and properties of which will be detailed in next year’s report. 
N. CANT LEY, 
Superintendent - 
