37 

 CEARA OR MANICOBA RUBBER, II* 



MANNER OF COLLECTING THE RUBBER. 



Having finished the operations just explained in the opening 

 of the hole, and the fixing of the receivers, &c., the work consists 

 of simply filling the receivers with pure water or with the solution 

 which you had to employ. Continuing thus, making the cuts 

 quickly, substituting the water or solution when necessary, 

 every morning or as early as possible, whilst the temperature is 

 still low, make the " taps" as explained working several at the 

 same time, continue this work up till 9 or 10 a.m. on hot days. 



In the afternoon it is customary to continue the collection by 

 new " taps ;" it is found more convenient, only in the morning, 

 leaving the collection of the rubber, after several "taps" every 

 two days, according to the process which has been adopted. 



After the " tap" is made, after a short delay the milk runs and 

 after a while coagulates and closes the cut ; this time is more or 

 less prolonged, according to the different causes, such as, tempe- 

 rature, repressing of the milk, &c. Should it be necessary, clean 

 off the coagulated rubber from the cut so as to have a fresh dis- 

 charge of milk. 



After some amount has accumulated in the basin it should be 

 collected, then tap again and place new water or solution in the 

 basins. This rubber is taken to the house still wet and placed 

 in the press, according to the process for moulding and uniting 

 the different fragments, and thus enabling the rubber to be de- 

 livered to the market in a neat manner, — slabs of I centimetre 

 thick are best so as to avoid fraud. 



USE OF THE PRESS IN THE PREPARATION OF THE RUBBER FOR 

 DELIVERING TO THE MARKET. 



Owing to the rapid coagulation of the milk and to the slight 

 sweating, fractionizing the collection, the use of presses cannot be 

 dispensed with so as to unite the fragments in a body more volu- 

 minous and endowed with advantageous conditions. By any of 

 the processes employed, the rubber obtained is taken to the press 

 still wet and fresh because in this state it is easier to unite under 

 the compression of the press. 



Any system of press may be employed, so long as its com- 

 pressing powers are sufficient so that it can unite the fragments 

 in one solid body. Cylinders of iron covered with wood may 

 also be employed, or even of wood with a gradation in order to 

 compress the rubber to the thickness required. 



USE OF SMALL CUPS OR BASINS : HOW THEY SHOULD BE MADE 

 AND WHICH ARE PROFITABLE. 



It is impossible to dispense with the small cups. When a su- 

 perior product is required these small cups have to be made ac- 

 cording to the process which practice proves to be the best to be 

 adopted. 



* Translated from Bolitim: See de Agricultura. &c, Bahia, II, 2., Aug., 1903. We 

 are indebted for the translation to Mr. D. A. Wetherall. Editor. 



