THE MALAY PENINSULA 193 



are the coagulating jars or tanks ; if the former they are 

 made of glazed earthenware, and if the latter they are 

 lined with glazed tiles and built in oblong* form. 

 Coagulation is effected by the use of acetic, formic, or 

 fluoric acid. Down the middle of the building are 

 tables for handling the coagulated latex before it passes 

 into the machines, and the crepe or sheet after passing 

 through them. Where sheet is made, it is coagulated 

 in flat pans 15 inches long, 10 inches wide, and 2 inches 

 in depth ; m these the latex is allowed to set for some 

 hours before machining. The fuel for generating the 

 necessary engine power varies, liquid fuel, suction gas, 

 and anthracite, being employed, the latter being most 

 .commonly used at present. The washing machines for 

 scrap of the Werner, Pfleiderer and Perkins patent 

 work smoothly and give excellent results. 



From the factory creped rubber is taken to the drying- 

 sheds, and hung for a period varying from twelve to 

 twenty days, or sometimes longer, until the moisture 

 has evaporated, the time required for this operation 

 being dependent very largely on weather conditions. 

 Sheet rubber is taken from the factory to the smoking- 

 house, and remains in smoke produced by burning cocoa- 

 nut husks or wood for four to five days. It is then 

 removed to the drying-shed and hung up until fit for 

 packing. Scrap, bark scrap, and earth scrap, are made 

 into crepe and dried in the same manner as first latex 

 and lump. In the Malay Peninsula the practice of 

 smoking crepe has been abandoned on many estates, 

 and a light, bright colour is the object desired. In 

 this connection the bad water-supply occasions many 

 difficulties, on account of its muddy and discoloured 

 13 



