YIELD OF PARA RUBBER FROM CULTIVATED TREES. 149 



Far larger yields have been obtained, but it remains to be 

 proved whether such amounts of rubber can be extracted by the 

 present methods of tapping in vogue without unduly injuring 

 the trees. 



The fairest estimate can be obtained by studying the yield 

 from a large number of trees. The following statistics have 

 therefore been compiled to show the rubber harvested during the 

 last three years by various rubber planting companies. Un- 

 fortunately it is neither possible to indicate the age of the trees 

 nor the methods of tapping employed. We may, however, 

 safely assume that, in view of the comparative infancy of the 

 Hevea rubber planting industry, the average age of the trees 

 cannot be more than seven or eight years, and as, in the 

 majority of instances, it would be directly antagonistic to the 

 planter's interest to unduly over-tap his trees, reasonable modera- 

 tion was observed in tapping operations. The writer has 

 collected the following returns from a large variety of different 

 sources, and has exercised due care to ensure accuracy ; he there- 

 fore trusts that interested parties will accept his apologies if 

 errors have crept in. 



1905. 



