Role of James Collins in the development of rubber hevea brasiliensis plantation industry in the British India: a historical reappraisal

Thomas K.K., . Role of James Collins in the development of rubber hevea brasiliensis plantation industry in the British India: a historical reappraisal. pp. 33-41. ISSN 0126-575x

The 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 of Clements Robert Markham and Sir Joseph D Hooker Collins compiled the Report on the Caoutchouc 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 brasilliensis 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 rubbber 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 later 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 contribution in domestication and introduction of natural rubber is attempted.

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Abstract

The 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 of Clements Robert Markham and Sir Joseph D Hooker Collins compiled the Report on the Caoutchouc 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 brasilliensis 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 rubbber 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 later 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 contribution in domestication and introduction of natural rubber is attempted.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	HEVEA BRASILIENSIS
AGROVOC Term:	PLANTATIONS
AGROVOC Term:	RUBBER INDUSTRY
AGROVOC Term:	RUBBER CROPS
AGROVOC Term:	DOMESTICATION
AGROVOC Term:	DOCUMENTATION
AGROVOC Term:	PLANT PROPAGATION
AGROVOC Term:	ECONOMIC DISTRIBUTION
AGROVOC Term:	BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY
AGROVOC Term:	INDIA
Depositing User:	Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 06:26
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/21127

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