AND THE MALAY STATES 29 



These yields, by the way, are not large, as Heneratgoda is not to 

 be compared with other parts of Ceylon as a rubber producing locality. 

 The many other and valuable experiments that were carried out here 

 and at Peradeniya would fill volumes. Exhaustive experiments were 

 made, for example, as to the kind of incision that gave the best results, 

 whether the "herring bone/' the X tne V> or the single / was the best 

 with records carefully kept and compared to lead to the right conclusion. 



Then, too, experiments by the score were made to find what part of 

 the tree was the best to tap, whether near the base or high up on the 

 trunk. In addition to this, a long series of experiments in the coagu- 



FICUS ELASTICA; PERADENIYA GARDEN. 

 [Showing spreading buttressed roots.] 



lation of the latex were instituted both by centrifugal machinery and by 

 the employment of a variety of acids. It is due directly to this investi- 

 gation that the Ceylon planter to-day, if he wishes to hasten the coagu- 

 lation, adds a few drops of acetic acid to the latex. Nor were these 

 experiments done in secret. The results were published and scattered 

 broadcast among planters all through the tropical world, with wonder- 

 ful results for good. 



After a hasty look at the magnificent palms, of which the garden 

 has more than fifty varieties, the banana, pepper, and other plants, I 

 resumed my hackery, and jolted back to the railway. As the return 



