AGRICULTURE, 
The war-demand for rubber, and the value and compactness 
of a cargo of rubber, as well as the certainty of a crop, have 
brought rubber-growing into still increasing favour. Established 
estates have prospered greatly; and estates which in 1914 were 
driven to various undesirable economies, have had funds for the 
highest cultivation. Much new land has been planted up with 
rubber trees in Malacca ; throughout the three Settlements 
the coconut palms which have hitherto been intermixed with the 
rubber trees have been removed on considerable areas for the sake 
of the better growing of the latter.- 
Rubber prices on the London market varied as much as 100 
per cent, but were always good. That form of rubber which was 
offered in lesser amount obtained the greatest premium,— 
Para over Plantation, and Crepe over Sheet. Accordingly, no 
doubt. Crepe would have been made in greater amount, but machi¬ 
nery was difficult to get : on the other hand, many small 
holdings, too small for elaborate machinery, which must perforce 
make sheet, have now come into bearing. 
Coconut palms produced well, especially in Malacca and 
Penang ; and the market offered better prices for copra than in 
i<ns : but freights have been greatly against coconut produce. 
Areca palms which are generally productive when coconut palms 
iUC piudm.tivt;, ill 1010 yielded well. 
The nutmeg crop of Penang was small. The clove crop fair. 
The rice crop of 1915-16 was good. That of 1916-17 was 
sown late, but on the whole over an undiminished area; and the 
promise is good. 
Tapioca planting is stationary. Gambier is going out, by its 
removal from rubber estates. 
The fruit crop in 1916 was heavier than in any recent year, 
and fruit was correspondingly cheap. But vegetable production 
has diminished, and Singapore has drawn supplies from un¬ 
expected quarters. 
Knowledge, of pests and plant diseases has been increased. 
Within the Settlements no serious outbreaks have occurred. The 
locusts, which are a cause of some apprehension, enjoyed a good 
breeding year on the Malacca-Negri Sembilan-Johore borders, 
and for a time gained on the staff employed in their destruction. 
Their destruction is being organised by the Department of 
Agriculture of the Federated Malay States. 
Rubber-standardisation appears to have been brought 
materially nearer by the work of this Department. 
F iL j $ l 
