000			02526nam a2200193Ia 4500
008			220216s9999 xx 000 0 und d
100			_aThomas K K
245		0	_aRole of James Collins in the development of rubber plantation industry in the British India : A historical reappraisal
260			_bPlanter _c2002
300			_a33-41
520			_aThe role of James Collins, the then Curator of the Museum of Royal Pharmaceutical Society (1868-72), London who later became the Government Botanist(1873-77). Singapore, in the historic domestication of Hevea rubber in the British India during 1870s was investigated. On the initiative fo Clements Robert Makkham and Sri Joseph D Hooker, Collins compiled the Report on the Coutchouc of Commerce for the British in 1872. This became the first comprehensive documentation of the then information on rubber yielding plants, their location, climatic conditions favouring their growth, extraction methods etc. The report favoured cultivation of Hevea brasiliensis, Castilla elastica and Ficus elastica and recommended the acquisition of their seeds for experimental planting in British India. In the endorsement appended, Sir Dietrich Brandis, the then Inspector General of Forests, Government of India, recommended south-western coast of India and Burma coast for initiation of rubber cultivation. Collins report and Brandis endorsement, which provided Markham and Hooker with the necessary vital information for their rubber domestication scheme, became historically significant. Collins was also responsible for arranging the despatch of the first consignment of 2000 Hevea seeds from South America to Royal Botanic Garden(RBG), Kew, London during 1873 for further propagation and distribution to the colonies under British India. The first domestication attempt failed because of improper packing and forwarding, which resulted in germination of only 12 seeds and the British officials accused Collins of Being responsible for the failure and loss to the Empire. Collins, who lateer became the Government Botanist and Librarian of the Raffles Library and Museum, Singapore, recommended in 1875 that singapore and Malayan Peninsula were the best localities for rubber cultivation. A critical evaluation of Collins contributions in domestication and introduction of natural rubber is attempted.
650			_aDomestication
650			_aHevea brasiliensis
650			_aHistory
650			_aIndia
650			_aJames Collins
650			_aPlantation industry
942			_cJS
999			_c67183 _d67183