160 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Report on gutta-perchas from the Straits Settlements, W. R. DuNSTAN ( Agr. 

 Bui. Straits and Federated Malay States, S ( 1904), A iVb. 4, pp. 121-128).— Analyses are 

 given of <> samples of gutta-percha obtained from as many different species of plants, 

 with estimates as to the commercial value of each. The best sample was obtained 

 from Dichopsis gutta, which contained 77.1 per cent gutta and 16.9 per cent resin, and 

 was valued at about $1.50 per pound. 



Para rubber in Selangor, S. Akdkx (Agr. Bui. Strait* and Federated Malay States, 

 2 (1903), No. 10, pp. 316-320). — The author's earlier experiments indicated that the 

 first 3 ft. of the trunk from the base of the tree contains the largest amount of latex, 

 while if tapping is extended beyond 6 ft. from the base the latex decreases in quan- 

 tity and the quality is poorer, containing a smaller amount of caoutchouc and larger 

 proportion of resin, thus yielding a less elastic rubber. It is thus seen that the tap- 

 ping area is limited, "for no matter how skillfully the wounding is accomplished the 

 result will be a rough and broken surface which will be found difficult to work, while 

 the disconnecting tissue will undoubtedly interrupt the flow of latex if tapping opera- 

 tions are repeated before cicatrization is complete." 



Experiments were therefore made to determine the relative yield of rubber obtained 

 by opening new wounds each day, beginning at 6 ft. from the base of the tree and 

 making a V-shaped wound, and on each succeeding day tapping 6«in. lower until the 

 base of the tree was reached; and in making a single V incision at 3 ft. from the 

 ground and on each succeeding day reopening the wound by taking off a thin slice 

 from the cut surface, thus taking advantage of what is termed the "wound effect" 

 and economizing the tapping area. In one experiment 10 trees tapped according to 

 the former method yielded 8.75 oz. of rubber in 4 days, and by the latter method 

 23.25 oz. 



In another experiment 10 trees tapped each day with a V-shaped incision for 6 days 

 yielded 56.75 oz. of rubber; while 10 others tapped but once with a V-shaped incision 

 and the wound reopened each day during the same period, yielded 68.25 oz. of 

 rubber. The experiments indicate, therefore, not only a greater amount of rubber 

 by reopening the old wound, but a great economy in the tapping area of the tree. 



Manuring" Para rubber, H. N. Ridley (Agr. Bid. Straits and Federated Malay 

 StcUes, 2 (1903), No. 11, p. 351). — The value of poudrette, lime, a mixture of burnt 

 earth and decayed leaves, burnt earth, and cow dung, respectively, as manure for 

 Para rubber seedlings was tested. The seedling beds were made on good low-lying 

 soil. The plant height attained in each case with the different manures is tabulated. 

 The most effective fertilizer was cow dung. Lime did not appear to be of much 

 benefit. From the results obtained it is believed that cow dung may profitably be 

 used in the nursery where Para rubber seedlings are grown. 



Para rubber seed, F. J. Holloway (Agr. Bid. Strait* and Federated Malay States, 

 2 (1903), No. 9, pp. 284, 285). — The author states that he has tested the relative 

 growth of a Para seed from tapped and untapped trees and can see absolutely no dif- 

 ference in the development of the respective seedlings. The opinion of Mr. Willis, 

 Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya, is also quoted to the same 

 effect. Relative to tapping Para trees, experience gained in tapping 6,500 trees indi- 

 cates that 1 lb. of rubber per tree can easily be obtained if the trees are tapped twice 

 yearly. 



Transplanting trees at night (Gardening, 12 (1904), No. 279, p. 611). — Some 

 French experiments are cited in which large 5-year-old trees and over were success- 

 fully transplanted late in the season by planting at night, watering copiously, and 

 wetting the branches which had young shoots 5 or 6 in. long. The transplanted trees 

 thus treated showed almost no sign of check. Linden, walnut, grapes, and various 

 other trees and shrubs were successfully transplanted in this manner. It is stated 

 that the work is best done between 10 o'clock at night and 2 in the morning, and it 



