( 5 ) 
difficulty is experienced in growing a cover, provided 
the top soil is even moderately rich; but in badly 
washed areas it is a different proposition and it 
is necessary to prepare the spot thoroughly for the 
reception of the seed. This may be done by con- 
structing a low furrow, in contour, and applying a 
handful of well rotted cow manure at the positions 
where the seeds are to be sown in the furrow. 
The first four years in the history of a rubber or 
coconut estate is the most suitable time for improv- 
ing the land by means of incorporating green manure 
in the soil, and it is unfortunate that more advantage 
is not taken of this period to improve the mechanical 
condition of the soil. 
Given good land, there is probably no cover more 
satisfactory than Centro sema Plumieri. One of its 
special advantages is that the labourers can pass 
over the cover without the slightest difficulty or 
inconvenience; it can be recommended also as a 
green manure. When it is established, in a young 
clearing, it will continue to thrive under compara- 
tively dense shade. Owing to the low cover which 
it provides on the land it is a successful means of 
preventing soil wash, but it should be clearly under- 
stood that it is most difficult to get it to grow on 
eroded surfaces ; for this reason, it should be planted 
before such damage has been done, as unquestionably 
a good top soil is essential for its proper growth. 
Vigna oligosperma is now finding much favour as 
a cover plant; it has much to recommend it, but 
unfortunately it thrives well only on certain classes 
of soil. 
Review of The three chief agricultural crops in 
Crops. the Peninsula are rubber, coconuts, 
and rice. 
52 
