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AGRICULTURE,

Camphor,

Since the acquisition of Formosa by the Japanese and
the formation of a camphor monopoly in Formosa and
Japan the price of camphor has risen so much that there is
a fair prospect of its cultivation proving remunerative.
The Botanical Department introduced the plant into Ceylon,
and found that it grew well in suitable localities and that
good camphor could be obtained by distillation of the twigs
and young leaves, so that a return might be obtained in
three years. Several planters have already taken it up, and
a small area is planted in it, which seems likely to increase.

Gums and Resins.

Many trees in Ceylon, native and introduced, yield more
or less gum, but in no case of very good quality. Several
local resins, on the other hand, yielded by trees of the
Dipterocarp family, are of good quality for varnish making
and other purposes.