CEARA RrRHKR 87 



two or three parts, vertically, each part being 

 subdivided hiteniUy into three or four sections 

 according to the girth of the tree. This will 

 provide for from six to twelve tappings, one 

 section being taken at a time. Tappings may 

 follow one another for three or four days, and 

 then an interval of a fortnight or twenty days 

 allowed to intervene. This may continue for as 

 long as the tree is in leaf, which may be, perhaps, 

 nine months out of twelve. A 3-por-cent. 

 solution of acetic acid brushed on the trunk of 

 the tree before tapping may be used as a coagu- 

 lating mixture, but carbolic acid, which makes 

 the rubber harder, is now being used in German 

 East Africa, either l)y itself or mixed with 

 acetic acid. As is well known, the juice of 

 citrus fruit and a solution produced by boiling 

 the pulp surrounding the seeds of the baobab 

 tree are also eflicacious as a coagulant, especially 

 if carbolic acid be added. The strength of the 

 mixture must be regulated according to the 

 weather ; a more concentrated solution being 

 required when the weather is wet and the latex 

 watery ; and the manner of applying it to the 

 tree must be carefully observed ; the surface 

 below the section to be operated on being well 

 dressed to prevent the latex running through 

 to the ground and getting mixed with sand. 



