THE MALAY PENINSULA 189 



the extra cost of draining will be approximately 

 3 per acre. 



The following estimate has been compiled after most 

 careful inquiry : 



MAINTENANCE OF Six- YEAR-OLD PLANTATION 



Dollars. 



1. Rent 4,000 



2. Collecting 75,000* 



3. Curing and preparation 14,000! 



4. 2j per cent, duty on 300,000 pounds 



rubber 7,500 



5. Transport, shipping charges, and com- 



mission 6,000 



6. Management 17,500+ 



7. Hospital and medical attendance ... 6,ooo 



8. Weeding 3,500 



9. Maintenance of roads and drains ... 3,500 



10. Cultivation 6,000 



11. Contingencies 7,000 



12. Depreciation of buildings other than 



factory 5> 2 5 



Total 155,250 



With a yield of 300 pounds of rubber to the acre, the 

 cost would be 51^ cents, or 14 J pence, per pound f.o.b. 

 at port of shipment. At present the average actual 

 costs of production are higher than stated ; but in most 

 cases estates contain trees of various ages, a large pro- 

 portion of them yielding for the first time, and therefore 

 more expensive to tap and collect ; or they have been 

 allowed to become overgrown with lalang and weeds, and 

 this has entailed a heavy additional expenditure charged 



9 Includes depreciation on all tools and materials. 



t Allows 20 per cent, depreciation on factory and machinery. 



J Allows for manager, two assistants, and two clerks. 



In conjunction with neighbouring estates. 



