(from some other mangrove tree) was last year sent home from Jamaica, but was not 
taken up by the trade, apparently from want of knowledge as to the value o its 
tanning properties. As the extract is so easily made, and the bark is practically a 
waste product at the wood-cutting depots in the mangroves, it seems worth while 
to try if its manufacture cannot be taken up for profit. 
12. The large seeds of Millettia atropurpurea , a tree abundant in many parts 
of the Peninsula, were forwarded to the Gardens by Mr. Hill of Linsum Estate, with 
a suggestion that they might be utilised as a manure. The seeds were ground up 
and mixed with the soil and some plants of Coix lachryma-Jobi were planted in a 
pot with them, an exactly similar pot of the same plant in similar soil without the 
grounded seeds being put alongside for comparison. At first the unmanured plan ^ 
grew much more rapidly than those with the manure, but eventually the latter 
caught them up and were even a little stronger and healthier, but the result did not 
show any great value in the Millettia seeds as a manure. 
n The cultivation of indigo by the Chinese has lately increased to a consider- 
able extent, but the dye is only used locally and has not been exported, rhere 
seems to be an idea current that Singapore indigo will not set but always remains 
liquid. This is quite an error, as it is easily dried and made into a fine powder. 
Samples of this have been sent to England to be appraised but it is hardly probab e 
that the dve as prepared by the Chinese with the most rudimentary apparatus ai 
theVmTt careless way Ln L of good quality. Still as this climate has certam ad- 
vantages over that of India for the cultivation of the plant, it may be well worth the 
Ittention of the planter. A Bulletin treating of the plant as grown here will be 
published as soon as the decision of the home authorities as to the sample sent 
received. 
14 During the year, Mr. Derry in Malacca made some experiments in e\^ 
trading pine-apple fibre, which gave a good result, but the expense of the manufac ure 
of the best quality seems to leave a comparatively small profit. S milar ex P er ‘ 
have been Lade here, and long-leaved pines have been selected and cultivated for 
this purpose. 
i e Enquiries have been made lately for a material for brush-making to replace 
Piassava fibre now becoming scarce. Mr. BijLKELEV, a gentleman much > mte rest ed 
in the trade, visited the Gardens to make investigations on this point, and after exa - 
ination considered that selected fibres of the sugar palm (Arenga sacchartfera) 
would possibly supply the want. As the supply of these fibres throughout the 
Peninsula is very large and no use is at present made ot them, an ™P or ^ 
might be opened up should they be found suitable. Specimens o these fibres and 
others from the leaves of the sago palm, areca-nut and coco-nut are being prepared, 
and when the series is complete, it will be submitted to experts. 
16. Further experiments in ringing the gutta percha tree (Dichofsis gutta) 
have been tried with greater success than on previous occasions. It is a very ditticu t 
tree to propagate by cuttings, probably on account of the slowness of its grout . 
Great interest has beL taken in its cultivation lately, which has been stimulated by 
attempts to form companies for the extraction of the gutta from leaves and twigs. 
A rtist. 
17. The Artist continued his useful work of making careful drawings of the 
plants of importance economically or botamcally of the Malay Pemnsu a. 
Herbarium. 
, 8 . a very large series of specimens have been added to the herbarium, which 
now becomino- a truly representative one of the Malayan flora. . 
In the early part of the year the Director visited the Dindings, and the 4*. 
Hills! and 6 the Kuala KangL district, whence an extensive ser^tf both 
dry aid g e a wa! a rx C p e iored n fnd S a considerable number of the 
Plants peculiar to 
a species of Ba anop , Mr T ake of the Johor civil service and Lieutenant 
K,‘1S’al “T i lllPeihl. .1* from K»li S.dili to B.to P.h.l and b, per- 
tion. Good and importan .col lectio - - , Batu p ahat With Mr. Lake also 
