72 



6. By the application of a rational tapping- system, 

 a tree can be tapped consistently, and climate or 

 labour troubles permitting, it is not necessary to rest 

 the tree. 



The experience gained by the tapping of an old tree 

 has shown that Heveas do not unduly suffer where part 

 of the bark is tapped each alternate day, or even daily. 

 This was proved by figures, which were shown to me 

 concerning an old Hevea tree in the neighbourhood of 

 Seremban. 



Everywhere in the Malay Peninsula, the plantations 

 which are in the producing stage are tapped daily or 

 on alternate days. 



It should, however, not be forgotten that in the 

 Malay Peninsula, climate is no obstacle, as is the case 

 in other districts, for instance, tapping is not possible 

 in Ceylon on days when there are heavy rainfalls; the 

 streams of water, pouring down the trunk, wash out 

 the latex from the cuts. Neither is it possible to continue 

 tapping during the long, dry monsoon ; the trees have 

 then no sap to lose and latex will not flow from the 

 opened vessels. Latex flows best when tapping is per- 

 formed in the morning after a night's rain ; it is then, 

 however, the thinnest. Now the climate in the Malay 

 Peninsula is characterised by rainfalls which are regularly 

 divided over the whole year. 



7. Tapping must take place as early in the morning 

 as possible and must be finished by midday. 



If tapping is performed in the afternoon, the trees 

 then require water for damping out, and the latex does 

 not flow as easily. In the Botanical Garden at Singapore 



