i6o 



THE RUBBER INDUSTRY 



TABLE VII.: RIVERSIDE PLANTATION 

 Cubic Centimetres of Latex to One Pound of Dry Rubber 



There are many advantages in Ceylon for growing 

 rubber. It is true that suitable land is not cheap, and 

 not always easy to obtain. But the industry is well 

 established, transport facilities are excellent, the organ- 

 ization of estates is based on long experience gained in 

 the cultivation of tea and coffee, competent superin- 

 tendents can be obtained to undertake the important 

 task of administration, and taxation is practically non- 

 existent. The general conditions and productiveness 

 of the trees is distinctly satisfactory. The renewal of 

 bark after tapping is fairly rapid. Third renewals in 

 both the Kelani Valley and Kalutara districts are 

 exceptionally healthy, and yield latex freely. While 

 malarial fever is not uncommon amongst the labourers, 

 it is rarely of sufficient importance to affect seriously 



