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yield of latex of trees tapped on the spiral system, in course of time, 

 actually becomes poorer in caoutchouc. Likewise it has been 

 noticed by many planters, who commenced tapping young trees 

 which had attained the necessary maturity, that the full spiral 

 system injures the trees in other ways. They have therefore, 

 adopted other methods. From a conversation I had with a planter 

 in the Southern Province of Ceylon, and in which we thoroughly 

 entered into all details, I gained the impression, that the damage 

 to the tree is chiefly noticeable in the growth of the crown and 

 foliage. But I did not gain a clear impression as to whether a 

 deterioration of latex had also been noticed. 



In strange contrast to these observations, however, are the 

 experiences of other planters. For instance, I inspected a 

 plantation of old trees of large girth, the proprietor of which told 

 me, that on a system corresponding with the full spiral one, he 

 had for years gained abundant and excellent yields, without 

 noticing any damage to the trees, or deterioration of latex. I was 

 able to see for myself, that his biscuits were distinguished by great 

 resiliency and fine colour. Possibly this contradiction may be 

 explained by the fact, that in this case, the system was adopted 

 on old and not on young trees. Or the reason may be, that on this 

 estate, the intervals of rest between the tapping periods are 

 unusually prolonged. I regret not to have been sufficiently 

 informed on this point. As far as I could judge by the bark-scars, 

 this method had only commenced a few years previously, when 

 the trees were already well-established, while prior to that, the 

 incisions had not embraced so large an area. It would there- 

 fore be important to ascertain, whether older trees of larger 

 girth arc not much less easily affected by tapping methods that 

 interrupt the food channels on the whole circumference of the 

 stem, because they possess more extensive starch reservoirs in 

 the wood, and because their growth proceeds at a slower rate. 

 Perhaps a fresh supply of substances can be more rapidly obtained 

 from wide-spreading crowns. An investigation into this subject 

 is all the more advisable, because in this way sonic indication 

 may be gained, that a tapping method, which must in the case 

 of young trees be rejected as injurious, may without dis.uh .intake 

 be adopted for older trees. 



