90 



collecting basin. It can be immediately treated by washing, and pre- 

 pared in any desired grade. Such smoke coagulated rubber would 

 surpass any plantation rubber that has yet reached the market. In 

 this latter instance a belt two feet wide would be practicable, in the 

 former instance an one foot belt is considered more serviceable. 



34. Whether it is better to add some water in the collecting cups, 

 as is done for latex intended to be acid-coagulated, I am not able to say 

 without further observation, but I am inclined to think that the addi- 

 tion of water helps to eliminate resin. The best fine hard Para 

 contains 15% of moisture on arrival in European markets when it is 

 probably one year old, so that the addition of some water, which is 

 expressed wilhin a few hours, is not abnormal. It is very important, 

 however, that the density of latex be taken into consideration. In the 

 dormant or wintering season, mid-January to mid-March, latex 

 reaches its greatest density. With the appearance of flowers, and, as 

 the leaves mature, all the functions of the tree are most active and the 

 cou'^istency of latex changes with the higher percentage of water. At 

 such a time additional water may be superfluous, and also on rainy 

 days or following continuous rain storms when the ground is saturated. 

 Supposing the wintering season to have been normal and the trees to 

 have conformed to their period of defoliation, the best tapping months 

 are from May to November during which time (exclusive of excep- 

 tional weather) latex may be of a fair average density and vice versa 

 when the seasons have not been favourable. 



35. The value, too, of commencing tapping at break of daj — with 

 the first streak of dawn should not be overlooked. It cannot be too well 

 known that on warm dry days, Hevea trees contract, through exhala- 

 tion of moisture, as the day advances, and the tension pressure which 

 sustains the flow of latex is partial only, and the loss of f.rst latex from 

 coalescence increases. 



36. It should not be overlooked that latex travels best when 

 strained. Lumps or clot left in latex produce natural coalescence, 

 even the smallest particle of clot or foreign matter furnishes a 

 tendency for latex to flock, some days more than others. 



It is suggested : — 



(1) That additional drying houses could be supplied with 



smoke from the smoke-chamber furnaces and that the 

 smoke be applied by piping perforated underneath which 

 should be received in a filter trough before dispersing, 

 care being taken that the fuel is dry. By this system 

 of applying smoke uniform results can be obtained. 

 The drying house would only require slight ventilation 

 during smoking and additional ventilation at other times. 

 A few days' smoking would suffice. 



(2) That the process under review could be carried out in 



existing or central factories, and is also adapted for 

 decentralised factories with hand or motor power, or 

 portable buildings. 



