CHAPTER IX. 

 General considerations, 



I. PRINCIPAL RULES. 



Before starting to describe tapping, we may enumerate 

 here the principal rules to be observed. 



i. The production obtainable is proportionate to the 

 number of latex tubes. 



The latex is contained in the tree in tubes, which 

 run more or less parallel to each other and allow 

 it to flow when they are cut; it is, therefore, essential, 

 to cut as great a number as possibe of these vessels. 

 It is found that an angular cut is best; with parallel 

 horizontal cuts, the greatest number of tubes would be 

 opened per centimeter of cut, but the latex would not 

 flow, and therefore, the cut is made obliquely. Further, 

 the tapping system should be made use of in such a 

 way that sooner or later all the latex tubes will have 

 been reached; if a part of them are omitted, the latex 

 will not be obtained, representing thereby a loss. 



