PART V. 



VALUE OF THE VARIOUS TAPPING METHODS IN 

 VOGUE JUDGED FROM THE POINTS OF VIEW- 

 ATTAINED, 



In a recent book on the cultivation of Hevea, the author 

 advances the following maxim, by which to decide the value of 

 the various tapping methods : " The best method of tapping is 

 that which extracts the maximum amount of latex from the tree with 

 the removal of the minimum quantity of cortical tissue and without 

 damaging the thin layer of cambium cells." 9 But judging from 

 my experimental results, I think the following addition, at least 

 in the case of young trees, should decidedly have been made : 

 And the best tapping method is, furthermore, one that checks the 

 transport of organic material in the bark towards the base of the 

 tree for the minimum length of time, with the minimum degree} 

 of intensity, which most confines this interruption to a local area, 

 and which consequently does not in course of time damage the 

 tree, nor injuriously affect the renewal of bark or latex. 



From my observations, therefore, I consider it absolutely 

 necessary to condemn quite a number of tapping systems as 

 unsuitable for young plantations, where the trees have only just 

 arrived at tapping maturity. With regard to the future of the 

 plantation, it is necessary when tapping to remember as much as 

 possible, that trees, which at the commencement of the tapping 

 period were by no means large or thick, must become larger, 

 in order that their latex systems may develop and yield continu- 

 ously remunerative latex in large quantity. The advantages of 

 such a lenient treatment of young trees for the yield of future 

 years, certainly will outweigh greatly the advantages of a quick 



9 H. Wright. " Hevea Brasiliensis or Para Rubber." 3d. edition. 

 London, 1908. Page 89. 



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