OLD METHOD OF TAPPING. 



The native Indian method of tapping is as 

 follows: Before beginning to tap, a place is 

 selected on the tree, preferably on the inclined 

 side, and a hole made in the ground below, 

 lined with a wide green leaf. 



The tapper makes two incisions with his 

 machette at right angles, coming together in 

 the center. This is done to ascertain where 

 the milk runs best. 



Once decided, the tapper makes a narrow 

 incision at the point of convergence and im- 

 provises a funnel of the same leaf used in 

 lining the hole in the ground. This acts as a 

 conduit for the milk, which runs from the tree 

 in a steady stream into the hole until it coag- 

 ulates along the line of incision, when, if 

 desired, it is scraped off twice or more before 

 the stream finally ceases. Very often the milk 

 spurts out, and one could not stand close to 

 the tree where the machete is at work without 

 getting one's clothes spoiled. The rubber 

 coagulates where it falls on the clothes, and 

 will not wash out; only a solvent will remove 

 it. 



The bark of the tree is not only cut once, 

 but at least four or five times, at intervals of 

 two feet. 



