117 
by trial tappings. The results are said to be excellent where the 
latex is formed in the stem and crown; and also to be good where 
the latex is formed all over the tree ;* but nil when it is formed in 
the root-stock. The observation that the latex vessels are rela- 
tively more numerous and larger in the tissues of the root than 
in the stem and branches leads to the conclusion that the roots act 
as reservoirs for the latex, and similar conclusions were come to 
by Arisz as the result of his experiments. 
Propagation by cuttings (Ringing or Marcottage). This is the 
safer and more rapid method of obtaining a stock of plants from a 
good-yielding tree. 
Two objections are often raised against propagation by 
cuttings : — 
1. The difficulty of obtaining good stock for cuttings. 
2. The bad root development which it is alleged is found in 
cuttings, and often results in the loss of the tap root. 
While the difficulty about the roots is inconsiderable, the first 
point is a more serious one. 
This obstacle may be overcome by the establishment of nurseries 
for providing cuttings in which strong year-old trees may 
grafted with scions from the best yielder in the plantation. A 
ten-year old tree would easily furnish 200-500 grafts. 
The shoots from these grafts, as soon as they have the thickness 
of a finger, are suitable for cuttings. The secondary buds of the 
grafts should be allowed to shoot, so that the tree may become 
shrubby and so furnish a succession of material for cuttings. 
The striking of the cuttings may be done in the native manner 
known as ‘‘ Marcottage.’’ A ring of bark 2 cm. wide is removed, 
and the cambium is scraped off from the area so ringed ; the ringed 
portion is then wrapped up after being covered with earth and 
space and filled with clean fine sand and, if necessary, watered 
daily. Ifthe ring is made more than 50 cm. from the ground an 
with the strengthening of the side roots. It is true that the 
stability of a tree, especially of a young tree, is greatly decreased 
by the breaking off of the tap root, but in the case of rubber each — 
* See Bobiloff, Archives for Rubber Culture, March, 1919. 
+ Archives for Rubber Culture, July, 1918. 
