153 



After eight days the plants were examined and found to be in a 

 fresh and healthy condition. The plants placed in the potting shed 

 had been badly gnawed by rats, but were otherwise healthy. The 

 whole twelve were then planted out in the ordinary way, and no 

 special attention or treatment given to them. The plants commenced 

 to grow readily with one exception, and this was the plant that had 

 almost been denuded of bark by rats. 



The results are very satisfactory, inasmuch as they prove that 

 Para plants can be sent to any estate in the Island, packed in the 

 way described, without fear of permanent injury, or loss, provided 

 that they receive proper attention upon arrival at their destination. 

 (Report on the Botanic Station and Experiment Plots, St. Lucia, IQIO-Il) 



RUBBER IN THE SEYCHELLES. 



The following extracts are taken from the Report of the Gurator 

 (M. Dupont) on the Botanic Station, Seychelles, for IQII. 



The total number of treess now in Seychelles is estimated at 

 70,585, of which 4,511 have reached tappable size. The tapping 

 experiments on Hevea trees were continued. Several kinds of 

 tapping knives were tried, but it was found that successful tapping 

 depended more on the skill of the operator than on the instrument 

 employed. The Barrydo kni;e proved a less dangerous implement in 

 the hands of inexperienced tappers than either the Bowman — North- 

 way or the Eagle knife, tioth of which produce deep wounds. The 

 "half-herring-bone" method of tapping was used in most cases 

 on the " opposite quarters " system, i. e., one-quarter of the surface 

 of the bark of the tree is tapped during one year, and it takes four 

 years to tap the whole tree before beginning on renewed bark. The 

 full spiral system was adopted in one set of experiments where 

 trees were overcrowded, and although the death of few trees may 

 follow this drastic method, the Gurator considers that the greater 

 yield obtained when prices are high fully compensates for this loss. 

 He also suggests that in Seychelles it may be better to tap by this 

 method for three months during the rainy season, when young 

 trees can withstand the effects of serious wounds, than to employ any 

 other method which would necessitate extending the tapping period 

 into the dry season to obtain the same q-.:antity of rubber. 



Five-and-six-years-old trees were in one instance tapped by 

 the full spiral method for five or six months, without any apparent 

 check to the growth of the trees or to the fulfilment of their natural 

 functions. 



