98 



The alternative to the last mentioned error is, of course 

 that the workman may make too deep a cut. This happens 

 when the cambium is removed and its cells die off, 

 exposing the heart wood. 



As soon as this is discovered, the tapper must leave 

 a small strip of bark, under the wound, so that the 

 cambium is protected and closes the wound. If care is 

 not taken to do this, the workman will unconsciously 

 extend the wound with successive cuts. It is readily 

 noticeable in old wounds that they have commenced with 

 a small place ; they become broader and broader at the 

 bottom, but if a small strip of bark is left as directed, the 

 would will not appreciably increase in size. A slight 

 amount of damage in this way is almost unavoidable, 

 and the wounds recover relatively quickly. It is different 

 when frequent patches of exposed heartwood are met 

 with, such carelessness is evidence of rough and negligent 

 tapping. 



7. The vertical canal. 



On most estates, the vertical canal for gathering 

 the latex from the several side cuts and conducting it 

 to the collecting vessel is fairly broad, but need not 

 be cut too deep. ' It is not necessary that it should be 

 cut as deeply as the side canals, as it is not used for 

 latex production. On some estates the central vertical 

 canal is not made at all, a strip of bark is cleaned 

 and serves to allow the latex to flow along its smooth 

 surface. 



At the end of this canal, whether incised or not, 

 a small tube is fixed into the tree, this should have 

 sufficient fall to allow the latex to run down easily into 

 the cup. 



