RUBBER 113 



been done in Uganda, and what we consider best 

 for our plantations in their present stage of 

 development. 



The principle of modern tapping can be 

 described in a few words as the opening of a 

 wound in the tree and keeping it open by frequent 

 paring of its lower edge, allowing it to heal 

 downwards. The wounds are made diagonally, 

 so that the latex will run to one end of the cut to 

 be there collected. They are often made opposite 

 to each other, meeting at the base to form a wide 

 V. Several V's placed one above another with a 

 vertical cut connecting them form what is termed 

 a herring-bone system. The half herring-bone is 

 the vertical channel with oblique cuts on one side 

 only. 



Of the various systems tested experimentally at 

 the Botanic Gardens, Entebbe, the full and half 

 herring-bone gave the best results, and the con- 

 ductor of the experiments stated in his report that 

 he would hesitate to recommend any other system. 

 He inclined to the half herring-bone in preference 

 to the full herring-bone for young trees, giving as 

 his reason the improbability of young trees being 

 able to stand the full herring-bone. This con- 



(D 243) I 



