54 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The report includes the results of the examination of the whole seed, the decorti- 

 cated seed, and of meal made from the seed. It appears from the analyses given 

 that the kernels constitute about 50 per cent by weight of the whole seed. The 

 sample examined contained 42.:; per cent of oil. The husk and kernel (whole seed) 

 ground together yielded 20 per cent of oil. "The oil obtained from the kernels alone 

 is clear, of a light yellow color, and has an odor somewhat resembling that of linseed 

 oil. It belongs to the class of drying oils, and yields a clear, transparent film when 

 allowed to dry by exposure to air. The husks contain a solid fat, which has a high 

 saponification number and a low iodin value, but since the amount of this solid fat 

 in the husks is very small it makes but little difference to the properties of the oil 

 obtained from kernel and husks ground together." 



The oil extracted from the rubber-seed meal was solid instead of liquid, as in the 

 case of the seeds, owing to certain decomposition changes which take place after the 

 seed is crushed and caused by the action of a hydrolytic enzym contained in the seed. 

 Theanalysis of the meal is as follows: Moisture 9.1, ash 3.53, fiber 3.4, oil 36.1, pro- 

 teids 18.2, and carbohydrates 29.67 per cent. The mealexamined contained a consider- 

 able quantity of free fatty acid which would make it unfit for fodder purposes, or for 

 the expression of oil; but it is thought probable that if the oil were expressed from 

 the decorticated seed the residual cake could be used as a feeding material, having 

 a composition very similar to some of the oil-cake feeds now on the market. 



Commercial brokers report that the oil could probably be used as a substitute for 

 linseed oil, and would be worth about £20 per ton; while the decorticated seed would 

 be worth £10 to £12 per ton. Para rubber cake would be worth £5.15 to £6.15 per 

 ton if prepared as suggested above. 



Preparing "Para rubber" in Ceylon, F. J. Holloway (Agr. Bui. Straits and 

 Federated Malay States, 2 (1903), No. 3, pp. 108-110).— From the author's account it 

 appears that the rubber prepared on the Kepitigalla Estate in Ceylon brings the 

 highest price of any in the world. A full description is given of the methods of 

 tapping, collecting, and coagulating employed. 



The latex is strained into shallow tin pans about 7 in. square by 2 in. deep, and 

 left over night. By morning the rubber is coagulated without the use of any chem- 

 icals and most of the water separated from the pure rubber. The characteristic 

 features appear to be the straining of the latex so as to remove every particle of dirt, 

 and the rolling of the chunks of rubber obtained into flat, thin sheets about S in. 

 square and | in. thick. The thinness of the sheets permits the buyer to see at once 

 that they are free from dirt, hence the higher price. 



Rubber-tapping experiments in the Botanic Gardens (Agr. Bid. Straits and 

 Federated Malay States, 2 (1903), Nos. 2, pp. 44~47; 3,pi>. 111-113; 8, pp. 264-266).— 

 Part of the work here reported has been previously noted (E. S. R., 15, p. 479). 

 Continuing the observations it has been found that, in tapping, all sides of the trunk, 

 practically, flow with equal freedom. Dry weather materially decreases the flow of 

 latex, and in periods of drought it is believed that tapping should cease altogether. 



The flow of latex has been found more copious and thicker and, therefore, to pro- 

 duce more rubber if tapped from the base of the tree to about 4 ft. high on the trunk 

 than when tapped higher. The assertion, sometimes made, that by reopening old 

 wounds a larger flow of latex may be secured was not found true in these experi- 

 ments. The greatly diminished yield obtained when trees were tapped when in 

 bloom, amounting to nearly 50 per cent, leads to the conclusion that on no account 

 should rubber trees be tapped when in flower. 



Considerable tabular matter is given, which shows the yield of rubber obtained 

 from trees of various sizes and at different dates. 



Rubber from Willughbeia edulis and TJrceola esculenta in Burma, W, R. 

 Dunstax, S. Carr, and J. W. Leather {Agr. Ledger, 1903, No. 10 ( Veg. Prod. Ser., 

 So. 7.6), -pp. 233-238). — Data are given on the flow of latex from these plants, the 



