74 



RUBBER PLANTING IN CEYLON 



serious. While I was at the botanic gardens, Mr. Ridley was treating" 

 the eyes of his fox terrier, who had just killed a cobra, and in the fight 

 got his eyes full of poison. 



Returning from the botanic gardens, I called upon Messrs. Hutt- 

 nach Brothers, to whom I had letters of introduction. They are large 

 traders, sending shiploads of rattan from Singapore, and bringing great 

 cargoes of coal from Japan. They are also agents for tin mines in 

 Johore, and incidentally handle much Gutta-percha. They w r ere of the 



MALAY HOUSE IN JOHORE. 



opinion that the Marconi system was already affecting the gutta market, 

 as there \vas much stock in Singapore, and according to their advices. 

 a great deal unsold in England. Through their courtesy I was taken 

 to the Chinese merchant quarters and shown the rebelling process that 

 prepares the gutta for the markets of Europe and America. We first 

 visited the offices and storehouses of the Teck Wah Liong Co., where 

 we met the senior member of the firm, a very polite, intelligent Celestial 

 who spoke good English. Our interview took place in a fine anteroom 

 furnished in Chinese fashion, with manv sturdv ebony chairs set close 



