THE Malayan Agricultural Journal.

Vol. XIV.] MAY, 1926. [No. 5.

OBITUARY.

With deep regret we have to record the death of Inche' Mohamed Zain bin Mohamed Jianiff, Junior Agricultural Assistant, Butterworth, which occurred in Penang on April 27th, 1926.

105

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MALAYAN GUANO DEPOSITS.

V. Gkeenstreet.

Pliosphatic deposits occur in caves in limestone hills in various parts of Malaya, extending' also through Siam and into the Shan States. The mammal value of these deposits has long heen recognised by the cultivators of padi, parti¬ cularly in Kedah and Perlis where there is close proximity between cave and bendang. Although the origin of the phosphatic element has been attributed to the original lime¬ stone rock(l) analyses of samples of limestone have failed to reveal its presence. There is little doubt therefore but that the deposits have a common origin in the excrement and dead bodies of bats. In those caves which still contain vast numbers of bats there is a constant rain of excrement which, when quite fresh and sticky is remarkable for its high nitrate content,(2) a fact which was exploited as far back as 1876 when fresh bat-guano was used for the manufacture of saltpetre. The nitrate content very rapidly diminishes and combination of the excrement with limestone usually produces a substance possessing only a low nitrogen content. The variety of forms which this phosphatic material presents is very great, varying from entirely amorphous to nearly completely crystalline, from a texture almost homogeneous to forms with over 50 per cent pore space and in colour from black through brown, red and yellow to nearly white. As with the exception of that of the author(3) there appear to be only two published analyses(4) of Malayan phosphates this article has been written in order to place on record +he results of analyses carried out during the last five years. The analyses of Batu Caves guano, samples number 1, 2 and 3, of Batu Kurau guano and Kampong Reman guano were carried out by Mr. (J. 1). Y. Georgi, the remainder by the author assisted by Inche Abdul Majid. It lias been found convenient to group the deposits according to the State in which they occur.

SELANGOR.

The principal Selangor deposits occur in the Batu Caves while there is an insignificant deposit in a granite cave at the Gap. The composition, which is given in table 1, shows that, although Batu Caves guano is in no instance of high quality, the phosphoric acid and nitric acid content decrease rapidly with the depth of the strata.

(0 T-\ G. Willbourn. Journal Straits Branch. Royal Asiatic Society 19-22.86.237 (2) W. F,. Maxwell. Journal Straits Branch, Boyal Asiatic Society 1892.103. W. B. D'almeida. Journal Royal Geographical Society, 187(1. (3) The Composition of Kedah and Perlis phosphates. Malayan Agricultural Journal 1923.11.70. (4) Jj. Wray. Museum Notes 1.1892.72. A. Voelker. Bat Guano. 1878.

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Table 1.

Ppvcmitafff composition of guano from Batu Oaves and the Gup.

Batu Caves'Batu Caves Batu Caves Batu Caves 1 3 4 Sample Sample Description of Sample. Surface from from Bulked Gap. sample depth depth of 4ft sample of 2ft. 1922. 1922. 1925 1 <122.

Moisture 6.0 0.8 21.6 3.4

11.4 Loss on ignition - 5.7 1 9.0 23.2 18.4

Nitrogen (Nitric) - 0.55 . nil. nil. Nitrogen (Aimnoniacal and organic) 0.42 0.21 0.3S 1.1

0.97 0.21 Nitrogen (Total) - 0.38 0.72

Phosphoric Acid (R 0„) 11.25 2.50 3.56 ,10.20 2.05

Equivalent to tri- calcium phosphate (Ca;!P2Oa) 24.6 5.5 7.8 22.2 4.5

PERAK.

There are numerous limestone hills containing caves in the neighbourhood of Ipoli but only one sample of guano, from (xunong Tunggal, has been received for analysis; the depth to which the sample was taken is unknown. A deposit of insignificant value occurs at Batu Kurau in the Lurut district. The composition of these samples is shown in table 2. Table 2.

Percentage composition of guano from Gunong Tunggal and Batu Kurau.

Gunong Tunggal Batu Kurau Description of Sample. Kinta. Larut.

Moisture 8.5 21.3

Loss on ignition 20.7 26.7 Nitrogen (Total) 0.5 1.5 Phosphoric Acid (P, 06) 5.7 0.5 Equivalent to tricalcium phosphate (Ca3 P, Os) 12.4 1.2

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A limestone cave at Gunong Pondok, Padang Pen gas contains probably the richest guano in the country. The limestone rock which at the entrance to the cave consists largely of crystalline calcite becomes more and more amor¬ phous as it comes into contact with the bat-excrement in the interior until it finally loses its crystalline character entirely. In some strata'the rock is changed to a soft, pale- yellow powder while in others it is semi-crystalline and cellular. The floor of the mouth of the cave consists to a considerable depth of earthy, chocolate-coloured matter. The cave, which is approximately twenty-five feet wide by six hundred feet deep, contains vast numbers of bats and in consequence there is a continuous deposition of excrement. Twenty-four samples of guano from various depths through¬ out the cave have been analysed and the results are shown in table 3.

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries rock. Soft 1.(5 12 18.5 14.8 14.5 31.(5

Powder. Yellaw 8.7 11 19.2 nil. 30.0 05.5

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10 o 21.7 22.0 nil. 15.0 32.8 .

3% 9 5.8 S M7 1(1.1 nil. 31.0 07.7

o o o 8 ai 10.3 41.7 1.1 15.0 32.8

Powder. Black i 15.(5 25.8 nil. 24.0 52.4

Powder. 7.0 Brown Dark 10.0 29.1 18.0 39.3

Powder. Yellow 5 19.7 13.8 nil. 23.0 50.2

4 9.4 35.2 nil. 19.0 41.5 Tatslu3. S'1

o O 8 Cj 1.8 t-" CD 13.5 21.7 24.0 52.4

1 C £ 2 2.1 CD 15.8 4G.3 12.0 2G.2

3 c o 5.5 1 1.9 fromPi'rcenhtrePondok.Gunongcompositionguanoof CM IS.9 55.S 12.0

Sample.Descriptionof Samplenumber. Moisture ignitionLosson (Nitric)Nitrogen (P205)Phosphoricacid Equivalenttricalciumtophosphate (. Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries OH

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These figures show,, that Gunong Pondok guano con¬ tains an average of 20 per cent phosphoric acid, that fresh samples contain an average of more than 7 per cent of nitric acid (calculated on a moisture-free basis) and 13 to 18 pei cent in extreme cases. An interesting feature is ihat in some cases the underlying rock has been changed by the layer of excrement into calcium phosphate as a pseudomorph of the original oaleite. Samples from a depth of 8 feet were found to contain 20 per cent of phosphoric acid below which no excavation was made.

PATIANG.

Samples of only one Pahang guano deposit have been received for analysis. This deposit occurs in limestone caves at Kampong Raman, Kuantan. The rock containing the caves is reputed to cover 100 acres of land and the guano deposits to be considerable. Table 4 shows the composition of 2 samples of Kampong Reman guano both taken from a depth of (i feet. Table 4. Percmhuje composition of gwmo from Kumponj Reman.

Description of Sample. dark coloured, light coloured.

Moisture J 8.1) 25.3 Loss on ignition 22.1 22.3 Nitrogen (Total) (). i 8 0.41 Phosphoric acid (IG05) 4.7 3.2 Equivalent to tricalciuni phosphate (Oa,PsO.) 10.8 11.4

PERLIS.

The small Fnfederated State of Porlis possesses by far the richest of the known guano deposits. There are repined to be over one hundred guano bearing caves within an area of two to three square miles, while the total amount of the guano lias been variously estimated at from fifty thousand to one million tons. A cave in Bukit Ketri was worked out many years ago by a Dutch Company which exported the guano to Sumatra. The guano from several caves has been sampled and the following is a description of Goa Hem pi and Goa Sammy the two largest caves. Goa Mempi contains very few bats and the deposit throughout, which is fairly dry, soft and powdery is evi¬ dently not of recent formation. The colour of the deposit varies from chocolate to buff and the depth from 3 feet to 20 feet and possibly more. The cave is approximately 200 feet in length by 50 feet in width. Goa Sammy contains a fair number of bats, yet in no instance is there any quantity of fresh guano. In general the colour of the deposit is darker and of a deeper red than that in Mempi and also more inclined to be lumpy. The

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries depth of the deposit varies from a mere film to at least ten feet. A large proportion of the powdery phosphate is over¬ burdened with a one inch crust of phosphatic rook, (boa Sammy is far larger than Mempi but no estimate of its size is possible as it consists of a large number of caves connected by a series of very narrow natural tunnels. The following is a description of the samples analysed.

Sample Cave. number. Description and location. __i 1

1 Mempi White powder : depth of 4 feet : 40 feet from cave mouth. 2 Surface „ sample : 40 feet from cave mouth. 3 yy Surface sample : 50 feet from cave month.

4 yy Pocket.

5 yy Pocket. (i Pocket.

7 yy Small boulders.

8 yy Chocolate coloured powder ; G"-9" deep : back of cave.

9 yy Puce coloured deposit.

10 yy Brown coloured rock-wafers : middle of cave. 11 yy * Grey powder containing small lumps : middle of cave : depth of about 20 feet. 12 y y Brown powder containing lumps, with honey¬ comb structure.

' 13 Brown y y powder : bulked sample. 14 Sammy, Soft and muddy : flowing down gully. 15 Reddish-brown powder ; cave wall. 1(1 Light-brown powder : beneath one inch rock-crust : back of cave.

17 *yy Light-brown wafcry rock : overlying sample No. 20. IS yy Light-brown powder containing hard lumps : adjoining sample No. 10. 19 yy Chocolate-coloured powder containing hard lumps : depth of 18 inches, centre of cave. I 20 yy firty-white honeycombed rock. 21 Brown yy powder containing lumps : beneath sample No. 18 : depth of 2 feet. 22 yy Dark-brown powder containing soft lumps. 23 Attie Soft brown lumps : 25 feet from cave mouth 4 feet depth. 24 Brown yy powder : 70 feet from cave mouth : 4 feet depth. 25 Brown yy powder : middle of cave : 4 feetdepth. 20 Soft yy grey powder : back of cave : 3 feet depth. 27 Dark red Campbell - powder : inner chamber : surface. 28 yy Puce coloured powder : outer chamber: surface.

The composition of these samples is given in table 5.

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries 7.3 8.1 14 19.8 28.4 10.9 22.5 49.8 28 10.9 49.4 trace 17.7

5.4 9.2 13 14.7 17.0 19.0 42.8 27 10.9 29.8 trace 12.8 28.0

9.3 8.3 0.2 12 18.1 25.4 20 11.2 10.9 80.7 10.1 22.0

7.2 5.5 0.3 11 14.0 17.0 ... 23.7 51.7 25 15.8 21.0 13.7 29.9

5.4 8.4 0.1 10 17.2 20.4 12.0 27.5 24 14.7 31.9 19.7 43.0

9 2.0 0.5 2.0 5.7 23 23.1 28.0 1.71 25.5 19.8 20.1 39.7

8 11.0 18.0 12.8 15.2 83.2 22 10.0 13.0 23.8 10.4 35.8

7 2.5 0.2 17.0 10.9 10.4 35.8 21 10.2 19.4 34.5 19.3 42.1

0 3.1 3.0 2.5 0.1 5.0 39.8 20 38.8 28.8 Table5. 18.2 10.8 13.2

5 9.2 2.1 4.0 nil 5.1 42.0 19 1.91 31.7 28.2 20.0 43.0

4 0.0 0.5 9.0 5.0 11.2 42.7 19.0 18 2IS. 24.7 28.9 03.1

3 8.1 1.2 2.7 4.4 18.4 22.3 48.7 17 21.8 36.0 78.0 15.1 v _

2 9.1 0.2 4.4 10 10.5 2.21 32.0 09.9 20.7 19.1 18.7 40.8

1 5.3 1.1 15

25.G 55.9 1 11.0 23.G 1.0 13.0 20.0 22.8 49.8 Sammy,GoaGoaMcmpi,from(JonPercentage,guanoofcomposition Attic Sample and Sample Goa number. phosphate number. phosphate Campbell. Moisture Losson Moisture Loss011 Nitrogen Ignition inInsolubleacidmineral (Total)Nitrogen (P0Phosphoricacid-) Equivalenttricalciumto (Ca:!P._,Os) ignition inInsolubleacidmineral (Total) Phosphoric(P20.)acid Equivalenttricalciumto (Ca;lPoOK)

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Qualitative analysis showed that nearly all the samples contained aluminium in varying proportions and some samples contained iron. In order to determine therefore whether the aluminium was derived from the limestone rock two samples of rock were analysed with the results as shown in table (j. Table 6. Percentage composition of limestone rode.

34 of Description Sample. Goa Mempi Goa Sammv

Moisture 0.19 0.05

on Loss ignition (carbon dioxide) - 41.01 42.45

Insoluble in mineral acid 2.0* 0.3*

Lime on.3 57.2 (calcium oxide) ■

* Containing' no aluminium. It is evident therefore that as the rock consists of nearly pure calcium carbonate the aluminium must have found its way into the cave by percolation and reacted with the de¬ posit by laterisation. In view of the supposed non-availability of phosphates containing aluminium the solubility in 2 per cent citric acid solution of several samples was carried out. The results are given in table 7. Table 7.

Percentage ofphosphoric arid extruded bg /too per rent ritrir arid sohiliotg

O Sample number 2 O 4 5 0 7

Phosphoric acid (P20.,) 15.4 trace 5.4 1.3 11.8 10.0

Whether containing iron (Fe) Aluminium Al Al Ca Al (Al) or Calcium (Ca) - Ca, Al Al, Fe.

Sample number. 27 28 2') 80 31 ■■

Phosphoric acid (P»05) 2.5 11.8 9.0 10.0 12.2

Whether containing iron (Fe), Aluminium (Al) or.Calcium (Ca) Al, Fe Ca. Al Ca, Al Ca, Al Ca, Al

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These figures indicate that the solubility of phosphoric acid in 2 per cent citric solution is apparently not affected by the presence of aluminium, that is to say that the avaT- ability of the phosphoric acid to the crop is unaffected by the presence in the g'uano of aluminium.

Sl'MMAl! Y AND CONCLUSION.

Deposits of bat guano and phosphates so metamorphosed as to have passed beyond the border line dividing- "guano" from "mineral phosphate," occurring in the States of Kelangor, Perak, Pa-hang and Perlis are described and the results of analysis of many samples are tabulated.

The account is not claimed to be in any way exhaustive of either the extent of any individual deposit or of the num¬ ber of deposits which exist. The deposits described are al' more or less well known and 110 attempt has been made to make a thorough exploration. The account indicates how¬ ever that Malaya has undoubtedly immense resources of naturally oecuring fertilisers close at hand and that a syste¬ matic survey would be amply repaid.

Received for /mbliration loth .1 fay, 1020.

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries "SUN-SCORCH" OF EXPOSED LATERAL ROOTS OF HEVEA BRASILIENSiS.

A. Siiakples.

J^ECENTLY,(1) attention lias been drawn to an affection of Flevea brasiliehsis both in Ceylon and Malaya the fundamental cause of which affection has been ascribed to a combination of weather conditions during' the wintering period of 1925, the cumulative effect being a secondary fall of the newly developing leaves some time after wintering.

This year, 192(5, an entirely different set of weather con¬ ditions has been encountered in Malaya. The usual dry period, which is helpful for a good wintering, was of long- duration and the plantations were practically leafless for a comparatively long time. The .usual wintering is somewhat uneven in Malaya ; as a rule, some trees retain their foliage until trees wintering earlier are already producing new leaves. Thus, in most years, there is a fair amount of shade in parts of the plantation. The weather conditions during the wintering period of 192(5, were such as to produce the most even wintering in Ihe writer's experience. The trees were leafless all at the same time, and the temperature was particularly high during the wintering period of this year.

During the last few weeks attention was drawn to an affection of exposed lateral roots, the symptoms of which suggested the well-known symptoms of lightning-strike or scorching. The disease was first noted on a hilly estate, where the lateral roots on the hillsides were likely to be more exposed than on flatter land. On these exposed roots, slight cracks appeared in the bark, which on further ex¬ amination, showed a much greater extension of apparently scorched and dead, dry bark than the cracks in the bark would indicate. Wounds, often two feet in length, had to be made to clear out the diseased tissue. The wood beneath the dead bark showed the usual, greyish discoloration typical of Herea hrasilien.tia when attacked by the Dvplodia sp. which causes the "Die-back" of branches of ITevea. The wood was not penetrated to any great depth, the deepest being about one inch, but the wood penetration went beyond the limits of the dead bark. The fungus was progressing slowly along the wood, and not in the bark. A yellowish discoloration was often seen on the inner boundary of the greyish, discolored wood.

At first, the affection seemed to warrant serious atten¬ tion for a 10% infection was counted. Besides this high

(1) Sharpies A. Hevea Mildew in Ceylon and Malaya. Malayan Agricultural Journal Yol. XIV, April li)2li. Xo. 4.

116

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percentage infection, the rapid and often serious effects of lightning-strike had to he taken into consideration; when the cortex of the trunk is scorched over the whole length of the tree, as by lightning, the progress of the TJiplodio, fungus is very rapid and death may ensue very quickly. As mentioned above, the fact that extension was taking place in the wood, and not in the cortex, was a matter for satis¬ faction.

Little could he done except to advise measures for cleaning out the diseased tissues and preventing further spread. Specimens were obtained in the laboratory and isolations and inoculations were undertaken. The isola¬ tions all yielded the expected Diplodw sp. The inoculations, both in wounded and unwounded roots, with large portions of diseased tissue were negative 14 days after inoculation. This led to the conclusion that, only under exceptional conditions, was the disease likely to spread rapidly.

In the search for contributory causes the question of the apparent scorching was not easily answered. Wo fires had been reported and although lightning plays many pranks, the position of the wounds and distribution precluded this explanation. There have been no previous records of "Sum scorch" but this seemed to afford the likeliest explanation and there seems little doubt when the distribution of the disease is studied from this standpoint that "Sunscorclx" is the main contributory cause of this particular affection.

If the hilly divisions with an East and West frontage, are considered, it is found that starting out from the Easi face no cases of scorched exposed lateral roots could be found As a move is made round the hill to the west a few isolated, lightly affected cases will be found, until the west face is reached, when several trees in the same row often will be found affected. If a move is made from East to West over the top of the hill, the same phenomena are met with; no cases on the East, a few isolated cases 011 the top, then a heavy infection 011 the west side. Moreover, on single trees with several roots exposed all round the tree, those facing west are heavily affected, while those on the Eastern side which would be shaded by the trunk during the hot after¬ noon sun, were not affected or only very lightly affected. The evidence collected in this manner appears conelu sive, the explanation being that .trees with exposed lateral roots situated 011 a slope facing West, received the direct rays of a very hot afternoon sun, during a period when the trees were leafless and shade was absent, owing to the extra¬ ordinary, even wintering of 1920. The scorched areas are next attacked by the Diplodia sp. common on rubber, which rots the bark and penetrates slowly in the wood.

In advising control measures, care had to be taken to see that the fungus had not penetrated into the trunk of the

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tree. Some of the wounds on the lateral roots initiated by sun-scorch, were almost in contact with the stem; numbers of these were cut as near the trunk as possible but in no case was there any definite penetration into the trunk of the tree.

The best form of treatment would be the excision of all the attacked wood and cortex. On a large percentage of roots this would hardly be feasible, as the scorching often produced several wounds on an individual root; these have later joined together to produce a diseased area many feet in length. Such a length of diseased wood would be diffi- cult to excise and in such cases it would be a better plan to cut through the root in healthy tissue, take the diseased root out of the ground and burn. Where wounds are small, the diseased tissue can be chiselled out with broad, flat chisels, the exposed surfaces painted with a strong solution of Solignum or Jodelite, to be followed later by a generous application of Tar.

On some estates shortage of labour may interfere with the progress of the work of excision and some simpler method may be advisable. Even in the early stages the healthv cortex is forming a broad callus edge round the diseased wound and natural recovery may be possible in many cases. On one estate, no excision of diseased wood is being done; the scorched and dead bark is cleaned away thoroughly and in this connection, care must be taken to cut down the callus tissue, which overhangs to form a cavity, level with the wood surface. If this is not done, the preventive paint will not reach the tissue protected by the overcharging callus, and water may collect in the cavity. Such a condition would be most favourable for the entry of some of the more serious wood-rotting organisms which are partial to Heren, and con siderable damage might be done. Having scraped away the loose decayed cortex, and cut down the callus edges, the exposed surfaces are painted directly with a mixture of 50 % Tar and 50 % Solignum.

It is too early to report fully upon the respective merits of these methods. A later report will be issued.

JSTote: Since going to press the typical symptoms have been reproduced in inoculation experiments when the bark of exposed lateral roots is, previous to inoculation, scorched by tire. In some cases the scorching alone is sufficient to initiate the disease, as was shown by the control experiments, in which no inoculating material was used. A further report will be issued on completion of the inoculation experiments.

llccei red for publication li'th, Map 1026.

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries THE EFFECT OF FERN AND OTHER GROWTH ON THE HEALTH AND GROWTH OF THE RUBBER TREE.

F. Gf. Spring.

fUE writer recently visited seven estates for the purpose of inspecting rubber trees growing in areas under ferns and to arrange, if possible, for experimental work to be undertaken which might throw some light on the health and growth of the rubber tree in fern areas.

In the writer's opinion, only on one of these estates is there, any evidence to support the argument that ferns are harmful to the rubber tree. The trees on this property, are very backward in growth and have not the healthy appea¬ rance of those growing in adjacent clean weeded areas. The- leaves have a pale unhealthy colour, the tips of several of the branches are dead and the rubber can only be described as very poor. There is a small amount of lallang but whe¬ ther it is present in sufficient quantity to be an influencing factor is questionable. The ferns are about four feet in height and have afforded dense cover for the past eight or nine years. This is far too long a period without cutting the ferns back. On the estates where they are cut back periodically no harmful results were found; how often cut¬ ting back is necessary is a matter for investigation.

Ferns provide an effective cover for the prevention of soil wash and are particularly valuable on areas where other vegetation is difficult to establish. They also retard the growth of lallang and keep the soil in a soft, moist condi¬ tion.

The trees on all the estates visited with the exception of those on the property mentioned, look healthy and are well grown. The foliage is generally excellent and the hark thick and succulent. In the absence of experimental data, how¬ ever, it is only possible to express an opinion that ferns are not harmful, in old rubbei areas, provided the cover is free from lallang or other noxious weeds and is cut back occa¬ sionally. It is hoped that the tests about to be undertaken will throw light on the subject and provide some definite information as to the value or otherwise of ferns as a "cover plant. The type of fern or moss best suited for the purpose requires investigation. Tall growing ferns must be cut back periodically, if left for a long period the remaining stubble is so strong that it is difficult for labourers to work, in an,\ such area, without injury to the feet. Cutting is best done at the commencement of a wet season in order that the material may be left on the land without danger of fire. Tall growing ferns, if never cut back, are objectionable on account of the difficulties of supervision and the labourers work.

110 Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries 120

Estate A.—1913 planting' consists of 00 acres under ferns. The land is undulating and liillv with an outcrop of laterite on the top of one of the hills. The soil is a sandy loam, the distance of planting 20' by 20 ' and the system of tapping a single Y, on half the circumference, alternate day tapping. This field was in tapping from May, .1919, to October, 1920 and the yield over this period is given at the rate of 162 lbs. per acre, per annum. The field was rested until December, 1925, when the trees were reopened and the yield from December to February works out at the rate of 576 lbs. per acre, per annum. A sample of 200 c.c. of latex yielded 70.5 grms. of dry rubber = 35% dry rubber content, and a sample of virgin bark taken at a height of 3 feet from the ground shows 14 latex vessels. In the 1913 clearing there are no catch-pits except on the top of one of the hills where ferns will not grow. Ferns have been used as a coyer crop since 1922 and cut back annually. A certain amount of damage has been done by soil erosion but the damage would have been greater had precautions not been taken to reduce soil wash by growing a cover over the land.

1917 planting is very hilly with an outcrop of rock where the growth of the trees is backward. On the less steep slopes and undulating areas, the trees are in first class con¬ dition. Tapping was commenced o

In the 1920 area, ferns have been grown as a cover crop for the past 18 months. The land is undulating and the soil a sandy loam. This area contains beautifully grown trees.

General remarks on Estate 4-—The general appearance of the trees other than on the tops of the hills is excep¬ tionally good, they are well-grown having excellent trunk., branch and leaf development. The colour of the leaves is a dark green healthy one. The bark is worthy of special comment, being unusually thick and succulent. The field appears to be exceptionally free from disease. The trees compare favourably with the best rubber areas in the coun¬ try. The manager thinks that the foliage and bark have improved considerably during the time ferns have occupied the land. The ferns are cut down once a year, which may be important. It is wise not to undertake this during a dry season in case of fire.

Estate B.—The trees are 10 years old. The soil is a light clay loam and the land very hilly. The distance of planting is .18 ' by 18' The land was originally a tapioca, area and subsequently under lallang. Previous to rubber planting, the lallang was cleared in rows and trees planted in the clean rows. These were maintained clean weeded for three years when the area was neglected and ferns gradually

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries 121 killed out most of the lallang. At present the vegetation consists of numerous types of ferns (some of which are four feet high) a small amount of blukar and lallang. Owing to this heavy undergrowth there has been little or no soil wash even on the steeper slopes.

Area A.—This field was cleared of ferns, blukar and lallang three years ago when tapping commenced and has been maintained clean weeded ever since.

Areas B

The trees in area D (this area has been under ferns for eight or nine years) are unquestionably backward and they have not nearly as good an appearance as the trees in area A which has been maintained clean weeded for the past three years. Areas 15 & C have recently been cleared and there is already evidence of a recent improvement of the trees particularly in respect of the foliage as compared with trees in area D which still remains under cover.. It is hard to say what is the factor limiting growth but in this particular instance it may not be a question of soil conditions in view of the two recently cleared areas (B & C) being adjacent to 1) and apparently under similar conditions. The backward growth and poor appearance of trees in area D is possibly owing to the land having been left too long under ferns which have never been cut back. A sample of virgin bark taken at a height of 3 feet from the ground shows eleven latex vessels.

Estate ('.—T^liis estate was planted in the years, 1918 and 1919. The soil is a sandy loam and the land undulat¬ ing but very hilly in parts. Distance of planting 20' by 20'. The area is not silt-pitted. System of tapping, basal Y, over half the circumference, alternate day. The area of 250 acres was originally under lallang. The lallang was cleared in preparation for rubber planting and the land clean weeded for a few months but soil erosion was so bad that ferns were allowed to grow as a means of prevention. Terns were grown until February, 192(5, when they were cut out during Febru¬ ary and March. Tapping commenced in January, 192G. On the steeper slopes, the ferns have proved valuable for retain¬ ing the top soil. They were cut back about 23 months ago and again in September, 1925. Height of fern growth from 3 to J feet. The cover consists chiefly of ferns but there is a little blukar and lallang. On the whole, the trees are well grown for their age, many of them having exceedingly good trunks. The branching and foliage are good and the condition of the bark satisfactory. In some areas the trees are as well grown on the. tops of the hills as they are in the undulating areas. There are a few backward fields but

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries Ui

on the average the trees are of normal growth for their age and fairly uniform in size. A sample of 20(1 c.c. of latex gave 60 grms. of dry rubber = 30 % dry rubber content. A sample of virgin bark, taken at a height of three feet from the ground, shows 19 latex vessels.

Estate D.—The rubber trees in field 1, 1118" acres were planted 30 ' by 15 ' in 19.19, on very hilly land. The soil ;s a clay loam. The area has been continuously under ferns and grass except for a few months after planting. The cover is cut back once in two months at a cost (over the whole estate) of 60 cents, per acre, per month. The land has con¬ tour" drains and terraces spaced 30 feet apart. Only the terraces are maintained clean.weeded. There has been com¬ paratively little soil wash. The trees look healthy and are well grown. The foliage is abundant and is of a dark green colour. The virgin bark is thick and soft and the renewed good. An examination of the surface layers showed the soil to be in a nice soft, damp condition. A sample of 200 c.c. of latex yielded 49 grms. of dry rubber = 24 % dry rubber content. A sample of virgin bark taken at a height of 3 feet from the ground shows 8 latex vessels.

Tapping was commenced in November, 1923, at a height of 14 inches from the ground, basal V over half the circum¬ ference, alternate day. Bark consumption | of an inch per month. Three hundred trees tapped per coolie. The yield was 217 lbs. of rubber, per acre, over .242 acres, all planted in 1919. Ninety per cent, of the trees are in. tapping.

Estate E.—The trees are ten years old, planted in a light sandy loam, area 85 acres. The land is hilly but there has been very little soil erosion. Light ferits and grass have occupied the area from the early stages of development of the property. This vegetation is cut back once a quarter. The tree's are very well grown, having good trunks, branch and leaf development. The virgin bark is thick and renewal satisfactory. The trees look healthy and do not appear to have suffered in. any way from the effects of fern growth. A sample of 200 c.c. of latex gave 74.5 grms. of dry rubber = 37% dry rubber content. A sample of virgin bark, taken at a height of 3 feet from the ground, shows 14 latex vessels. Tapping was commenced on the 8th March, 1925, on a j spiral, alternate day system. Bark consumption f of an inch a. month. Number of trees tapped per coolie 300. From the 1st April, 1925 to 31st March, 1926 a yield equivalent to 400 lbs. per acre, was obtained.

. Estate F.—The area of 120 acres under ferns was plant¬ ed up in .1918. The soil is a rich loam with the exception of one or two outcrops of laterite. The land is hilly and undulating. Trees spaced 20' by 20'. The appearance of the trees is unquestionably very fine and compares favour¬ ably with those in adjacent clean weeded areas. They are

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries of the reddish barked type and are well grown in all res¬ pects. There was 110 evidence of ill effects from fern growth. Virgin bark thickness and renewal are exceptionally good. Ferns, mostly bracken, have occupied the land for the past three years. They were cut back in August, 1925 and sub¬ sequently strip weeding was done once in two months at a cost of 50 cents, per acre.

The, yield of rubber for January, February and March, 1920,. works out at ,320 lbs. per acre, per annum. Tapping commenced in September, 1925, on a V half the circumfer¬ ence, alternate day. Bark consumption | of an inch a month. Four hundred trees tapped per coolie. The mana¬ ger of this estate considers that rubber trees growing amongst f'erirs give equally as high a yield of rubber as trees growing in clean weeded areas. 200 c-c. of latex gave 65 grins, of dry rubber - 32% dry rubber content. A sample of' virgin bark taken at a'height of 3 feet from the ground shows 10 latex vessels. All bark and latex samples were taken, on all the estates, from average yielding trees.

Estate G.—Field F. 95 acres was planted in Novem¬ ber, 1912. The land is hilly and the soil a sandy clay loam. Distance of planting IT' by 17' This field has been under fern growth for the past five years which has never been cut back. The ferns were about 4J feet in height. Jn March, 192(1, a start was made to eradicate them in order to facilitate tapping and supervision. This cost $8/- per acre to eradicate. Comparing the trees in this, field, with adjacent trees of similar age in clean weeded areas there was no appreciable difference in any respect and according to the manager, the yields of rubber are, as far as he can judge, about equal.

Rubber Sinai! Holdings.—The." writer inspected ninny thousands of acres of small holdings throughout the Penin¬ sula in which the rubber trees are growing amongst grass,' ferns and blukar and in many instances I have been impress¬ ed with the good appearance of the trees and the fine Con¬ dition of the bark particularly in blukar areas. In this con¬ nection the undermentioned reports are, of interest : —

Native RttbbBii Cultivation in the Dutch East-Indies.

Western Division of Borneo.

" Interplanting of rice is a very general practice; a§ a rule it is done for 2 years, sometimes for a year only, rarG| y for a longer period. Thereafter blukar, harmless weeds, etc. are allowed to grow up and once or twice a year are cut down. Rubber of two to three years old sometimes staq,]s in blukar of such density that it is hard to find; yet tj,at does not seem to have any detrimental influence on the rub¬ ber's development."

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries 154

Native Hubber Cultivation in the Dutch East-Indies.

" Itubber ot' only a few years old is scarcely recognis¬ able because tlie land after the paddy-harvest is simply abandoned. Lallang occurs sporadically only so that the young rubber develops among' secondary-forestgrowth. so- called "blukar"; one may even pass a young' rubber-field without knowing it. Anyone who has spent a day in such environment is for ever cured of any intentions to have the young fields surveyed or the trees counted. The young trees are simply left alone for 5 to 8 years; at what age tapping is started depends on the market price of rubber and on the question whether or not older fields are available for tapping.

During the third quarter of 1924 prices were not so high that there was any inclination for tapping to the ut¬ most; they were then Gs. 80—40 per picul. In many cases full development of the trees was waited for, say a girth of 20 inches at 1 yard over ground-level.

To bring the trees into tapping it is however necessary to make room for going about easily and tapping easily. The blukar has to be cut down; sometimes the owner him¬ self will do this, sometimes lie hires labour. How this is arranged, depends on the economic conditions of the village which are often rather complicated and which a passing ti li¬ velier never learns; no approximately accurate description thereof is available either.

The rubber trees will then be found to have developed quite well; the branches of course start at rather great height, but the bark is thick and soft and often a good deal bettor than on many a well kept estate. The girth of the trees is of course less than the girth of trees on estates of the same age, but the Jarnbee native does not care. His policy more and more is to plant new fields every year and he simply waits another year; his capital is time, not money. Damage is occasionally done by deer, but the trees re¬ cover splendidly."

Received for publication 12th May, 1026.

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries FURTHER NOTES ON THE BRAZIL. NUT TREE IN MALAYA.

W. N. Sands.

£) TIRING last year the writer visited the herbaria of the Itoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the British Museum in the endeavour to establish the identity of the species of Bertholletia which fruits well and regularly in the Kuala Lumpur Experimental Plantation, hut this endeavour was unsuccessful as the botanical material of the genus was poorly represented in these herbaria; however, botanical specimens from the Kuala Lumpur trees were presented to Kew, and when forwarding the material to the Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, the writer mentioned that in looking up the liter¬ ature on the subject the conclusion had been reached that the species growing in the Kuala Lumpur Experimental Plantation, which was originally sent out from Kew in 1912 as Bertholletia excelsa, is B. nohilis, Miers., judging from Miers'(l) description of the fruit of each species. Although certain of the vegetative characters of B. nob-ilia as described by Miers did not fit very well, it was thought that this might be readily explained if Miers had not had an oppor¬ tunity of studying the living plant. It was also mentioned that numerous fruits from the trees growing locally had been examined but each one had the opercular opening definitely widening considerably inwards with the operculum remain¬ ing inside it.

In a letter dated -30th November, 1925, from the Direc¬ tor of the Royal Botanic Gardens, forwarding a memorandum by Mr. T. A. Sprague of the Kew Herbarium on the subject, the Director states that "the question of the correct names of Bertholletia is quite an interesting story, from which it appears probable that there is only one species. ITnfoitu- nately, as with so many of these tropical trees, we have not sufficiently full material to enable us to say definitely whe¬ ther there is one or whether there may be two plants. If there are two, it is very possible that the second is different both from Bertholletia e.rcelsa, Mart., and B. nohilis, Miers."

The following is a copy of Mr. T. A. Sprague's interest¬ ing memorandum: —

Fruits of Bertholletia from Kuala Lumpur.

"The two fruits received confirm Mr. Sands' view that the Kuala Lumpur tree is Bertholletia nohilis Miers. It is B. nohilis which yields the Brazil-nuts of commerce, as has been indicated by W. I. Young (Bot. Gaz. lii. 226-2-31 :

(1) Misrs. J. -On the Lecythidaceae Trans. Linn. Soc, XXX pp 157-318;

125

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries 12.(5

1911). Young's identification is confirmed by a study of the fruits .in the Kew Museums. It is however, doubtful wli •- ther B. nobilis is really distinct from B. excelsa.

Bertholleti.a excelsa' was originally described by Hum¬ boldt and Bonpland (l'l. Aetpiinoct. 1512, t.36:1805; H.B.K. Nov. Gen. vii. 2(50), from specimens collected in the neigh¬ bourhood of Esmeralda in the Upper Orinoco. Their illustration of the fruit was incomplete, the operculum not being shown. Poiteau redescribed and figured B. excelsa from trees cultivated in French Guiana and mentioned that the operculum fell within the fruit (Mem. Mus. Par. xili. ...148, t.4). Berg also redescribed and figured B, excelsa. (Mart. PL Bras. xiv. pars 1, 478, tt. (50, (51 : 18.58). Miers (Trans. Linn. Soc. xxx. .196 : 1874), considered that there were two species of Bertholletia, B. excelsa, and B. nobilis Miers, the latter name being applied by him to Berg's B. excelsa. According to Miers, the operculum of B. excelsa falls off outside the fruit, whereas in B. nobilis it falls inside. This distinction appears to have no foundation in fact. The only fruit cited by Miers under" B. excelsa was one in the Kew Museum "in Trinidade introd. (Purdie.)." There is no fruit in the Kew Museums with an external operculum as figured by Miers, but a fruit which was received from Purdie in .1851 agreed fairly well in other respects with Miers's illustration, of which it is apparently the original. Other .distinctive characters mentioned by Miers do not hold even for the specimens which he himself cites. Thus Martins' specimen which Miers cites under B. nobilis ("petiole 3-6 lines long"), has two leaves, one of which has a petiole 12 lines long, a character, according to Miers, of 71. excelsa. ("petioles 9-18 lines long"). It should be remembered that Miers was eighty-five years old in 1874, the year in which his paper on the Lecythulacea.e was published. Petcli (Ann. Bot. (lard. Peradeniya, v. 421-43.1 : 1914), as the result of the study of a living tree at Peradeniya, came to the con¬ clusion that there is only one species of Bertholletia, and the same conclusion was reached by Deshmukh at Singapore (Gardens' Bulletin Straits Settlements, ii. 437: 1921). Mr. Sands himself (Malayan Agricultural Journal Y. 130-132 : 1922), considered that all the trees cultivated at Kuala Lumpur were of one species, and mentioned that there was variation in the size and shape of the fruits.

From a consideration of all the evidence available it seems probable that there is only one known species of Ber¬ tholletia, namely B. excelsa, B. nobilis being a. synonym As the original specimens of B. excelsa were very incomplete, however, it is desirable that further material of the tree should be obtained from the neighbourhood of Esmeralda, the original locality. There is a bare possibility that the "Juvia" of the Upper Orinoco (B. excelsa) may be different from the "Castanheiro" of the Lower and Upper Amazons (B. nobilis)."

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries 127

It may be mentioned that there are to-day twelve trees in full bearing in the Kuala Lumpur Brazil-nut plot, and all of these have the general fruit characters of B. nobitys. It is of interest to note that the fruit from individual trees is quite distinct in respect of size, shape, size of opercular opening, size and shape of operculum, size of nuts and in other ways; this will be readily observed in the photograph (Plate I) where five typical fruits from five different trees, numbers 1, 10, 19, 2 and 3d, are shown. Whilst the photo¬ graph (Plate II) clearly shows the regular size and shape of fruits collected from tree No. 19.

As a large fruit produces as many, or more, bigger, much heavier and better nuts than a small one, it would be desirable to select the best seed-nuts from individual trees for planting purposes, notwithstanding the fact that the flowers are open to cross-pollination by the large Garpenter- bee (Xylocopa latipes, Dr.) and perhaps other heavy-bodied insects. *

Although several attempts have been made; to reproduce the tree by a-sexual methods, none of these has so far been successful.

Additional information concerning the Brazil Nut in Malaya will be found in Vol. X, No. 3, pp. 87-88 and Vol. X, No. 5, 130-132 of' this Journal.

Reeehences to Plates.

Plate /.—Shows the variation in size and shape of typical fruits from five Brazil-nut trees growing in the Kuala Lumpur Experimental Plantation. Numbers of trees, left to right, are 1, 10, 19, 2 and 30. The fruit of Number 1 was cut open for examination before the photograph was taken. Plate 11.—Typical specimens of fruit from Brazil-nut Tree Number 19, growing in the Kuala Lumpur Experimen¬ tal Plantation. In the foreground is shown a fruit which was cut open to show the characters, of the shell, opercular opening, operculum and nuts. 1

Received far publication 2Slh January 1020.

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries LONDON MARKET PRICE LIST 1st QUARTER 1926.

Oil Seeds.

Castor (Bombay) - £17.17.6 to £18.17.0 per ton.

Copra (Ceylon) - £30.10.0 „ Do. (Straits) - £28.12.0 to £29.15.0 „ Croton - £1.7.6 to £1.12.6 percwt. Desiccated Coconut (fine) - £1.19.0 ,, Do. Do. (medium) - £1.19.0 „

Do. Do. (coarse) - £2.3.0 „ Linseed (Bombay) - £17.17.0 per ton. Do. (Plate) - £14.12.0 ,, Palm Kernels (West African) - £20.2.0 to £20.10.0 ,,

Oils.

Castor (first pressing) - £43.15.0 to £45 Coconut (Cochin) - £50 to £58 Do. (Ceylon) - £47.10.0 Cotton Seed (Egyptain crude) - £34 to £35 Palm (Lagos) - £38.12.0 to £38.10.0 Palm (kernel) - £43

Oil Cakes.

Coconut - £8.7.6 to £8.10.0 Cotton (Egyptain seed) - £6.2.0 to £5.15.0 Do. (Bombay seed) - £4.17.6 to £5 Ground nut (London decorticated) - £11 to £12.7.0 Linseed 9% - £12 to £12.5.0 Palm kernel - £6.10.0 to £7

Essential Oils.

- Cajeput 2/7 to 2/9 per lb. Camphor (Chinese, erude) " 2/6 Do. (Japanese, refined) - 2/8 to 3/6 Camphor oil (white distilled) - £2.13.0 percwt.. Cinnamon - (Ceylon leaf) 5/7-| per lb. Citronella (Ceylon) - 1/10 to 1/11 Do. (Java) - 2/8 to 3/1 Clove - 6/3 to 0/9 Lemon Grass (Cochin) -3/11 to 4/2 Lime (West Indian, distilled) - 15/0 to 20/0 Patchouli (Penang) - 18/0 to £1.1.6 Do. (Mysore) - £1.10.0 Vetiver (Bourbon) - £2.5.0 to £2.12.0

Spices.

- Capsicums (East Indian) £2 to £2.5.0 per cwt. Do. - £8 to £3.10.0 (Nyassaland) ,,

128

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries Spices.—Could.

Chillies (Zanzibar) - £1.17.0 to £2.5.0 percwt. Do. (Nyassaland) - £2.10.0 to £3.5.0 ,, Do. (Japan) - £5.10.0 to £5 „ Cinnamon (Ceylon) - 1/9 per lb. Cloves (Zanzibar) - lO)/- to 1/0 „ Do. (Pena-ng) - 2/0 to 2/0 ,, Ginger (Japan) - £4 to £3.10.0 percwt. Do. (Jamaica) - £3.10.0 to £5.10.0 „ Mace (Bombay & Penaug) - 3/10 to 4/0 per lb. Xutmegs (Singapore & Penang) "no's - 2/2 to 2/1 80,s - 2/0 to 2/3 G4's-57's - 2/7 to 2/8 Pepper (Singapore black) - l/3k to 1/1 Do. ( Do. white) - 1/6 to 1/4

Drugs.

Ipecacuanha (Rio) 14/0 to 14/0 per lb.

Natural Dyestuffs & Extracts.

Annatto - 5d to 6^d „ Gambier (block) - £2.15.0 percwt.

Do. - (Cube) £3.15.0 ,,

Gums and Resins.

mar Da (Singapore) - £1.18.0 to £7.15.0 percwt.

Do, (Batavia) £6.5.0 to £7.15.0 ,,

Dragon's Blood (reeds) - £15 to £20 „ Guttapercha (genuine) - 2/9 to 6/0 per lb Do. (Sarawak) - 3/0 to 4/0 Do. (Siak reboiled) - 1/4 to 1 /3 „

Jelutong - 1/0 to 1/6 „

Fibres.

Cotton (American Go to Mid.) - 7.38 to 10.81 per lb. Do. (Egyptian Skellarides G.F. to Pine) 16/65 to 20.40 Hemp (Manila " J" Grade) - £45.5.0 to £44.0.0 Do. (Mauritius) - £36 to £40.10.0 Do. (New Zealand) - £36 to £40.10.0 Do. (Sisal) - £22 to £48 Kapok (Indian) - 1/0 to 1/2 Do. (Java) - l/3k to I/5?j

Cocoa (Ceylon, plantation) - £1.0.0 to £5.0.0 per cwt. Coffee (Malay, plantation) - £5.10.0 to £6.10.0

- Do, ( Do. Liberian) £5.0.0 to £5.5.0 Norn. ,,

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries Foodstuffs.—Could.

- £1.8.0 sSago (pearl ) . percwt Do. - (flour)"■!' : 17/G to 18/6 ,, Sugar (Java, white) - £1.6.(1 to £1.6.0 (excluding duty) Tapioca (Peuang, flake) - 2d to 3d per lb. Do.' ( Do. flour) - £18 to £1.2.0 per cwt.

Chemicals.

Acetic acid (glacial) - £67 per ton. Do. (80% coin) - £37.0.0 per cwt. Acetone - £81.0.0 per ton. Ammonia (-8,so) - £21.0.0 Calcium Acetate, (grey) - £17.10.0 Citric Acid - • m per lb. Formic Acid (85%) - £49.0.0 per ton. Formalin (40% Vol) - £40.0.0 Lime Juice (Cone) - £20.0.0 to £21 Xom. Sodium bisulphite (60-62%) - £17.0.0 Sodium Sulphite (anhydrous) - £14.0.0 Wood Creosote (unrefined) - 2/9 per gal.

• •

. f . . ' ' The market has declined since the last quarter for castor, cottons and crotons oil seeds i Copra however, remains firm with a steady de¬ mand. Oils, generally, have also remained steady. Oil'cakes of all descriptions are markedly easier with the exception of palm kernels which have remained firm.

Of essential oils patchouli oil is in strong demand ; most other oils are easier.

Spices call for littli comment: pepper of all grades has steadily declined, most other spieies remaining quiet.

Annatto is quoted at a nominal price no sales being recorded : gambier remains quiet at lower prices over those ruling at the end of 1925.

There has been little demand for damar, and heavy supply of Dragon's blopd is reflected on the prices for this commodity. The guttapercha prices are well maintained.

All fibres have dropped considerably, especially cottons : kapok alone has appreciated.

Foodstuffs and chemicals call for no comment. A comparision of the figures for the last quarter of 1925 shew that markets for most of the commodities have been rather lifeless : further declines in products used in manufacture are certain during the second quarter of this year, owing to labour troubles in England.

Fertilizers are likely to be of ever increasing interest to planters in Malaya, and in view of this fact, the following note, abstracted from

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries 131

" The Fertilizers and Feeding Stuff's Journal " February 1026, on the 192;") market for fertilizers, is of value.

" The average level of prices for both fertilizers and feeding stuffs were again lower last year, fertilizers as a whole were only 14% dearer in 1925 than in the period 19 11-18. The tendency to a further general decline in price levels during the past year is emphasised by the fact that, among fertilizers, only basic slag and potash hardened in value, kainit then selling on practically a pre¬ war basis, whereas of food stuffs oats and brewers' gtains alone showed higher prices for feeding stuffs ".

jYo/c.—The above market price list is based on various issues of the following journals published during the first quarter of 1925. Lewis and Peat Monthly Prices Current : Lewis and Peat, West Indian, Central American and Brazilian Monthly Market Report; Tropical : British Journal Life Trade ; Fertilizers and Feeding Stuffs Journal : Chemist and Druggist: Chemical Trade Journal; Chemical Age: Perfumery and Essential Oil Record. The figures merely aim at indi¬ cating the trend of prices over the period, as a guide to future movements.

Received for publication loth May 10.26.

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries Publications of the Department of Agriculture.

The following publications, except those out of print, may be obtained on application to the Office of the Secretary for Agriculture; and the Malay States Information Agency, 88, Cannon Street, E C. London.

A remittance to cover the cost should accompany applications; otherwise the Journals will be sent by post, Cash on Delivery, where that system is in force.

1. The Agricultural Bulletin P.M.S.

Vols. I—IV (1913-1G) VIII & IX (1920-21) price $5.00 per volume.

Vol. V (1917) Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5 & G „ 250 per set.

„ VII (1919) „ 2—G „ 450 „ (Vol. VI is out of print.) 2- The Malayan Agricultural Journal (continuing the Agricultural Bulletin) Published monthly.

Vol. X (1922) Price $5.00 per volume.

„ XI (1923) Price $5.00 per volume or 50 cents per single number.

„ XII (1924) Back numbers of Vols. I—X will not be sold singly.

3. The Handbook of Malayan Agriculture, price $1.00.

Current numbers of the Malayan Agricultural Journal and the Handbook may be purchased from the Railway Bookstalls and Branches of Messrs- The Federal Rubber Stamp Co.

4. Special Bulletins.

1. Notes on Termes Gestroi and other species of Termites found on Rubber Estates in the Federated Malay States, by H. C. Pratt, 1909, 20 cts.

2. Root Diseases of Hevea Brasiliensis, by W. J. Gallagher.

3. Observations on Termes Gestroi as affecting the Para Rubber Tree and methods to be employed against its Ravages, by IT. C. Pratt, 1910, 20 cts.

4. Brachartona catoxantha, Hctmps, by H. C. Pratt, 1909.

b. The Extermination of Rats in Rice Fields, by W. J. Gallagher, 1909.

6. Branch and Stem Disease of Hevea Brasilienisis, by W. J. Gallagher, 1909.

7. Coffea Robusta, by W. J. Gallagher, Government Mycologist, 1910, 20 cts. 8. The Cultivation and Care of the Para Rubber Tree (in Malay) 1910,

9. Die-Back Fungus of Para Rubber and of Cacao, by Iv. Bancroft, 1911.

10. A Lecture on the Para Rubber Tree, by W. J. Gallagher, 1910.

11. Coconut Cultivation, by L. C. Brown, 1911

12. Padi Cultivation in Krian, by IT. C. Pratt, 1911

13. A Root Disease of Para Rubber, Fomes Semitostus, by K. Bancroft, 1912, 20 cts.

C = Cancelled

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries ( ii ) l-l The Die-Back Disease of Para Rubber by K. Bancroft, 1911.

115. Camphor : its Cultivation and Preparation in the Federated Malay States, by B. J. Eaton, 1912, 20 cts. 1G. The Spotting of Plantation Para Rubber (A Preliminary Account of Investiga¬ tions on the cause of the Spotting), by II. Bancroft, 1913, 20 cts. 17. The Preparation of Plantation Para Rubber, by B.J. Eaton, 1912

18. Agriculture in Malaya, 1912, by L. Lewton Brain, 1914 19. The Spotting of Prepared Plantation Rubber, by A Sharpies, 20 cts- 120. Agriculture in Malaya, in 1913, by L. Lewton Brain, 1914 21. Pink Disease, by F. T. Brooks, and A Sharpies, 1915, 20 cts. 22. A Disease of Plantation Rubber caused by Ustulina Zonata, by F.T. Brooks 1915

23. The Tapping of the Para Rubber Tree, by E. Bateson, 191-1, (out of print). 24. The Malayan Locust, by H. C. Pratt, Government Entomologist, and F. de la Mare Norris, Assistant Agricultural Inspector, 1915, 20 cts.

25. Ustulina Zona!a— a Fungus affecting Hevea Brasiliensis, by A Sharpies, 1916, 20 cts 26. Vegetable Culture in Malaya, by F. G. Spring, and J. N. Milsum 1917. Second Edition 1919, (Out of Print). 27. Tho Preparation and Vulcanisation of Plantation Para Rubber, by B. J. Eaton, J. Grantham and F. W. F. Day, 1918, $1.00. 28. A Wet Rot of Para Rubber, by W. N. C. Belgrave, 1919, (Out of print) 29. Fruit Culture in Malaya, by J. N. Milsum, 1919, (Out of print) 30. Food Production in Malaya, by F. G. Spring, and J. N. Milsum, 1919, $1.00. 31. Black Stripe and Mouldy Rot of Hevea Brasiliensis, by A Sharpies W. N. C. Ilelgrave, F, de la Mare Norris and A. G. G. Ellis, 1920, (Out of print).

32. Observations on the Technique required in Field Experiments with Rice, by II. W. Jack, 1921, $1.00. 33. Wet Padi Planting in Negri Sembilan, by D. II. Grist, 1922, $1.00. 34. The Two-Coloured Coconut Leaf Beetle (Plesispa reicliei) by G, IT. Corbett 1923, 50 cents. 35. Rice in Malaya, by II. W. Jack, 1923, $1.00. 36. ''Red Stripe" Weevil of Coconuts (Bhynchophorus schach) by G. II. Corbett 1924, 50 cents- 37. "Mouldy Rot" by F. W. South, and A. Sharpies, 1925, 50 cents.

>• Warta Perusahan Tanah Published in the Malay Language, distributed free from the Office of the Secretary for Agriculture

C = Cancelled

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 5.S. & F.M.S.

Organisation.

Secretary Cor Agriculture - (Headquarters) B. W. Elles, (acting).

-Agric. Instructor (Malay Officers) „ J. M. HowLett, m.C., b.a., Cam. Dip. Agr. (on leave)

Librarian and Translator L. A. J. Bijk.

DIVISIONS. Chemistry—

Agricultural Cliemist (Headquarters) B, J. Eaton, o.b.e., f.i.c., f.c.s.

Asst. Agrl. Chemist „ B. 0. Bishop, m.b.e., a.i.e.

„ C. D. V. GeORGI, o.b.e., b.sc., f.I.c.

,, V. B. Greenstreet, a.i.e.

,, J. H. Dennett, b.sc. (on leave). Gunn Lay Asst. Analyst „ Teik, b.a.

Field —

Chief Field Officer (Headquarters) F. W. South, m.a. Agric. Field Officer (Porak North) F. Birkinsiiaw. (Perak South) A. E. C. Doscas (acting).

11 " (Selangor) G. E. Mann, ji.c., m.a. (on leave.)

11 11 (N. Sembilan) W. H. Barnes (acting).

11 11 (Pahang West) J-W. Jolly, Dip. Agr.Hawkesbury (acting)

■ 11 11 (Pahang East) J. C. Sworder (acting).

■ (Penang & Pro¬ vince Wellesley) F. B. Mason, Dip. Agr. ila-a-c- (on leave) • (Malacca) J. Fairweather, n.d.a., u.d.a. (Johore) F. be la Mare Norris, b.sc.

Eonomic Botany- -

Economic Botanist (Headquarters) H. W. Jack, d.sc., b.a.

Asst. Economic Botanist ,, W. N. Sands, f.l.s. Mycology—

Mycologist (Headquarters) A. Sharples, a.r.c.s., d.i.C.

Asst. Mycologist „ A. Thompson, b.sc. (on leave).

U 11 „ F. S. Ward, b.s.a., (McGiLt).

Entomology—-

Entomologist (Headquarters) G. 13. Corbett, b.sc. Asst. Entomologist „ B. A. B. Gater, b.a., Cam. Dip. Agr. d.i.c-

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries ( iv )

[(jriculture—

Agriculturist (Headquarters) B. Bunting, n.d.a. Asst Agriculturist (Serdang) .J. N. Milsum, f.l.s.

55 55 „ E." A. Curtler, b.a., Cam. Dip. Agr

5) 55 „ J. Lamboukne

5 5 5 5 (Teluk Anson) T. D. Marsh, n.d.a. (on leave.) Supt. of Govt, Plant¬ ations. (Headquarters) A. L. Sinclair. griculture, Rubber-—

Agriculturist, Rubber (Headquarters) F. G. Spring, n.d.a., u.d.a., f.l.s

Economics —

Agric. Economist (Headquarters) D. H. Grist, Cam. Dip. Agr.

}lant Physiology —

Plant Physiologist (Headquarters) W. N. C. Belgrave, b a., Cam. Dip. ton leave). R. 0. Bishop (acting.)

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries Malayan Agri-Horticultural Association.

RUBBER, GUMS & RESINS SECTION.

MALAYAN EXHIBITION.

RACE COURSE, KUALA LUMPUR, 27th—30th August, 1926.

Schedule of Classes, Rules and Prize List for The Rubber, Gums & Resins Section.

Rubber, Gums aucl Resins Section Sub-Committee:

Major B. <1. Eaton o.b.e., Messrs. J. Edwardes m.c., E. W. South, AV. S. lieeve-Tacker and F. G. Spring (Hon. Secretarjn)

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries RULES FOR RUBBER, GUMS & RESINS SECTION.

1. Date of Receiving Exhibits : Exhibits should reach Kuala Lumpur not later than the 24th August, 1926. Exhibits will be collected by the Transport Sub-Committee at Kuala Lumpur Railway Station and will be transported free of charge to the Show Ground.

2. Disposal of Exhibits : All exhibits will be returned.

8. The Committee can undertake no responsibility for the con¬ dition of the packages in which exhibits arrive, but will make every endeavour to return, same in good order.

4. Rubber : Exhibitors are required to send an unselected case of fair average- commercial standard. Exhibits should be carefully labelled to show the name of the exhibitor and estate, they should also be labelled for the return journey on the reverse side of the lid.

5. The Chief Secretary to Government, Federated Malay. States, has authorised the Commissioner, Trade and Customs, under sections 19 and 20 of the Customs Enactment, 1923, to issue licences permitting the import into the Federated Malay States of uuyulcanised rubber exhibits for the Agri-Horti¬ cultural Show, Kuala Lumpur, 192(1, such exhibits to be re¬ exported within ten days of the conclusion of the Show.

6. Entry forms may he obtained on application and entries (which must he accompanied, by entry fees) should be sent in by the Kith of August, 1926, addressed to :

F. G. Spring,

Hon : Secretary, Rubber, Gum, runt Resins Section, Malayan Ayri-Horticultural Association, Department of Agriculture, Kuala Lumpur.

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries Section B. Rubber, Gsums & ResinS.

'rizes Class Nature of Exhiit. Quantity. No. 1st. 2nd. 3rd.

250 Para Pale Crepe 1 case, notless G.M. S.M. B.M than 150 lbs. S.M. B.M. 251 ,, Smoked Sheet G.M. 252 S.M. B.M. ,, Compo Crepe ?? Dip. 253 B.M. ,, Sole Crepe Cup Dip. 251 „ 1st Grade Rubber prepared in B.M. any other form S.M. Dip. 255 Para Smoked sheet (Open to privately owned estates not above 100 acres) 50 lbs. S.M. B.M. Dip.

25(3 Para Smoked sheet (Open to Asiatic f Dip. Cert. holdings under 10 acres only) 10 katies

—2 3 2 258 Any other rubber (plant to be named) 5? #5 259 Locally manufactured rubber goods : (a) Raw Rubber Articles Optional Dip. Cert. — (1>) Yule. Rubber Articles Optional G.M. S.M. B.M. 260 Jelutong 10 katies Dip. *3 $2 261 3 3 2 Gambier, Cubes „ Dip. 3 2 262 Gambler, bale 3 „ Dip. 263 Dragon's Blood 1 kati $5 3 2 1 Cert. 26.1 Gums, Pamar, best collection of local \ $5 3 2

ENTRANCE FEES.

Class No?. 250 to 255 and 259. Entrance fee $2,'- per exhibit ($1/- per exhibit for members of the Association.) Remaining Classes —No entrance fee.

Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries ABSTRACT OP METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, MAY, 1926.

Humidity. Air Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit. Rainfall. Bright Sunshine. Means.

Means. Absolute Extl'em s. depression of W 't Buih I Must in a 1 Vapour Pressure. Percentage. day. y, STATION. — . C i y c J. ■/. IT)—' O 1 >• >> *1 Total. X -e X c £ ■j. IS ■51i o X o s s &> -i- < ai cu Tc < C -i. al P * c grass. -j c G< co Cs & it 2: c1 j, c* No. — co i < zZ Maximum. Minimum. Minimumon Jdays.of £ o u u o o o u u 0 o o o PHRAK— o o m.b. m.b. m.b. % % % In. m.m. m.m. hl's. Hl's. Taiping 84.1 S6.0 78.3 91.7 73.2 156.6 73.1 95 1 70 l ss 1 77 2 5.1 6.3 2.0 29.9 29.9 29.2 79 75 91 .16.65 422.8 77.0 21st 25 81.2 88.6 78.0 92.9 74.5 96 1 73 7 91 7 77 2 4.0 9.0 1.6 28.9 28.3 29.6 S3 66 93 6.06 153.9 42.3 9th 15 o 82.5 88.9 78.5 92.6 74.5 154.0 95 2 72 89 1 77 1 4.8 8.5 1.7 28.9 29.3 29.9 80 67 92 7.38 187.5 43.2 18th 17 82.5 88.9 79.5 91.7 74.6 95 3 71 2 89 3 79 1 5.3 9.0 2-2 28.0 28.6 30.1 78 (-6 90 7.43 188.7 38.9 21 st 18 82.9 89.1 78 2 92.7 74.0 96 1 7" 3 89 1 76 4 3.8 5.5 0.4 30.9 34.7 31.? 84 79 98 4.47 113.5 43.5 18th 12 Kampar 81.9 88.2 78.0 92.4 75.0 96 3 72 1 88 1 80 1 4.6 9.0 2.1 28.6 27.8 29.4 81 06 91 6.38 162.1 32.4 7 th 20

Teluk Anson 82.8 87.7 81.2 91.7 79.0 94 2 77 1 88 1 80 11 2.6 6.7 3.4 32.4 30.9 29.8 89 74 85 6.36 161.5 49.0 21st 9 » 82.7 89.3 76.1 91.(5 74.5 94. 4 71 2 84 79 2 5.2 9.4 1.0 28.4 28.4 28.8 78 64 95 12.97 329.4 84.5 4tn 24 Bunt-ar 83.1 88.1 79.2 SI.3 72.4 92 16 71 3 89 2 72 1 5.1 8.3 2.0 29.0 28.9 30.1 79 68 91 5.23 133.9 43.7 21st 15 82.5 88.0 78.2 90.2 77.5 93 1 71 .1 87 1 79 7 3.4 9.7 2.8 31.21 26.6 27.9 85 63 87 4.05 103.0 25.0 26th 9 Selama 82.9 87.4 76.9 92.7 75.1 95 1 71 1 90 2 79 1 3.7 7.8 1.6 31.1 2S.9 28.6 84 70 93 16.22 412.1 8e5.4 20th 20 81.2 89.3 77.3 92.4 73.7 95 3 71 1 90 6 77 1 4.7 8.8 1.8 27.7 29.3 28.6 79 66 92 5.06 128.5 30.0 10th 11 Tanjong Malim 81.2 88.5 75.0 92.1 72.5 ... 94 8 71 1 86 1 74 2 4.1 8.1 0.8 28.8 28.9 28.0 83 69 96 12.70 324.2 61.0 19th 15 0 (xl'ik 79.9 93.0 73.7 93.8 72.6 96 71 1 92 6 74 1 3.3 13.1 2.8 2S.S 26.4 23.9 86 55 87 4.13 104.8 16.0 4th 14 2 Klian Intan 76.8 85.5 76.5 91.8 71.1 95 69 5 82 1 74 1 1.9 4.5 1.7 28.0 32.5 28.0 91 81 92 11.38 289.1 42.6 9th 17 . . 79 1 86 3 73.2 89.0 72.0 93 2 69 1 84 .1 76 1 3.2 8.1 1.1 28.1 27.3 20.2 85 68 95 7.07 179.5 32.0 21st 13 Tanjong Rambutan 92.6 88.8 78.1 92.5 73.0 95 2 70 2 83 1 75 1 5A 9.7 3.2 28.0 27.4 27.1 77 64 85 8.88 225.0 91.6 18 th 8 83.8 88.4 76.7 91.3 74.4 94 1 72 1 88 1 77 1 4.1 6.2 0.8 31.4 32.6 30.0 83 76 97 4.76 120.9 65.0 21st 13 S elangor— Lake Gardens, Kuala Lumpur 82.1 87.7 78.0 91.7 73,2 .152.7 72.3 96 1 70 1 S6 1 75 2 4.2 8.2 1.3 29.4 2S.7 30.1 82 6S 94 12.93 32S.4 91.4 21st 19 6.21 193.40 Inst, of Medical Research K.L. 83.0 87.9 78.0 92.5 74.3 96 1 71 1 87 1 76 5 5.1 8.3 1.4 28.9 28.9 29.9 79 68 93 9.52 241.8 85.3 21st 17

Klang ...... 8.27 210.0 72.5 12th 12 Kajang S3.0 87.5 77.1 92.3 73.2 95 4 70 1 86 1 76 1 4.9 7.6 1.4 29.1 26.3 29.0 79 71 93 7.70 195.0 34.3 11th 19 Kuala Selangor 83.7 87.1 78.0 87.2 75.6 91 5 72 .1 84 1 78 1 5.4 8.5 2.1 29.0 27.6 28.9 77 67 91 5.97 151.7 51.8 10th 9 Serendah 85.0 88.5 76.7 92.4 72.4 94 5 71 4 90 1 74 3 0.2 9.9 2.3 29.1 26.9 27.2 75 63 89 7.46 189.5 28.7 4th 14 Kuala Kubu 33.5 36.4 76.8 92.0 72.5 ... 95 2 70 i 89 3 75 3 4.7 7.4 1.1 3(1.0 28.6 29.2 80 70 95 9.09 230.9 49.8 11th 10' Telok Datoh • •. 92.2 73.9 ... 96 2 72 1 88 1 75 11 7.45 1S9.2 67.9 21st 11

Negri Sembilan — Seremban 82.9 85.6 77.7 91.4 72.fi 157.6 70.7 93 4 70 1 88 1 75 1 4.7 7.3 0.9 29.4 28.0 30.5 80 71 96 8.37 212.7 36.4 27th 21 5.94 184.20 Kuala Pilali 82.3 89.2 78.0 90.7 72.0 159.4 71.4 93 3 69 1 86 1 74 6 4.6 7.2 J.3 29.0 31.9 30.1 SI 72 94 4.47 113.5 38.4 17 th 8 o y. Tampin 83.5 84.4 78.4 90.9 72.0 93 O 70 3 88 74 1 3.6 3.7 2.6 31.9 32.7 28.4 85 84 88 10.20 259.1 69.4 4th 11 Port Dickson 83.4 86.2 82.2 88.0 75.3 355.5 90 1 73 3 86 2 77 4 4.4 5.9 3.9 30.4 30.7 30.0 81 76 83 7.47 189.6 38.1 24th 13 Jelebu 79.5 87.3 77.0 90.5 72.4 94 1 70 4 86 1 75 1 2.7 9.0 1.6 29.2 27.0 28.7 88 65 93 4.83 122.8 32.6 15 th 10 Pahang— Kuala Lipis 80.3 90.6 78.8 92.9 74.0 96 1 72 4 89 1 76 2 3.2 11.0 1.9 29.2 27.2 29.9 S6 GO 91 9.19 233.4 103.4 1st 10 Raub 80.5 87.6 76.9 90.4 72.3 154.7 71.7 94 1 70 2 87 1 75 2 3.8 8.3 1.2 28.5 27.6 29.2 84 66 94 2.58 64.5 12.9 10th 14 o Bentong 80.9 88.3 75.8 93.2 73.3 95 6 70 1 90 76 2 4.2 9.1 1.2 2S.2 27.9 28.1 82 66 94 7.12 180.9 31.0 22nd 16 Pekan S3.9 S9.I 78.5 91.5 74.6 95 1 70 1 88 1 76 7 4.0 6.5 1.1 31.7 32.9 31.0 S3 75 95 2.00 50.8 16.4 8 th 6 7.61 235.80 Kuantan 83.6 88.2 78,8 74.5 71 1 78 1 5.0 8.1 2.0 29.6 29.2 29.7 79 09 91 4.10 104.1 53.3 30 th 6 Mentakab 81.3 88 7 77.8 92.0 73.S 95 4 7.1 1 88 1 76 3 3.4 9.2 1.4 29.9 28.1 29.7 85 65 93 2.91 73.9 32.6 21st 7.00 216.20 Cameron's HTands (Tanah Rata) 70.0 70.6 63.4 74.9 58.0 339.7 55.8 78 1 51 1 70 1 61 2 4.8 4.1 0.9 18.4 19.8 18.6 77 81 95 8.29 210.C 05.0 19th 12 5.41 167.75

,, ,, (Rohdn. Hill) 68.0 68.4 72.9 60.5 139.8 58.7 76 1 59 4 67 1 62 Cj 3.6 3.1 18.5 19.4 82 85 7.76 197.2 51.0 19th 14 5.78 179.20 Eraser's Hill 68.9 72.5 66.9 75.8 63.8 144.0 62.2 IS 3 61 1 72 1 67 1 2.3 3.5 1.3 22.2 21.9 20.6 89 81 93 2.65 67.3 18.3 19 th 18 5.17 160.20

RAINFALL STATIONS.

Perak. Selangor. Negri Sembilan. Pahang.

-6 ■1 « _c -§ Total. c Total. Total. Total. Total. ina [ rainfall ii day. rainfall- x c o x *£ X "x £ | A4 ll i.4 Most it "c Most q 4 4 jsoj^ J4 | In. m .m. 111,111. In. m.m. m.m. In. m m. m.m. 111. m..m m.m. In. m:m. m.m.

Kuala Kurau 1.81 46.0 20.3 lOth 9 Sab.k Bernam 6.63 168.4 57.6 9th 10 Mantin .. 6.32 160.5 37.6 13th 14 Temerloh 3,57 90.6 22.6 17th 12 The Cottage 18.27 404.1 75.5 20th 20 Bagan Datoh 5,10 131.0 27.4 21st 13 DistHosp..K.L. 8.73 221.7 72.6 21 st 20 S. Demiting 5.70 144.8 37.1 19th 12 Maxwell's Hill 19.76 501.9 80.5 20th 15 Sung'kai 6.22 158.0 57.0 21st 11 tier,Hosp..K.L. 11.51 292.4 95.8 21st 12 Etompin 2.74 69.6 21.3 2nd 10 | Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries