194 THE RUBBER INDUSTRY 



character, and it is frequently necessary to filter it 

 before use in the creping and washing machines. 

 Another result of this condition of the water-supply 

 is the heavy wear and tear on the rollers of the machines 

 on account of grit. 



On only very few estates are mechanical dryers in 

 use. On three plantations Kent, Wardiebrun, and 

 Bukit Rajah vacuum dryers on the Passberg system 

 were erected, but the managers had received orders 

 from London not to make use of them. It is difficult 

 to understand this policy, as the results obtained from 

 these machines in Ceylon are distinctly satisfactory, 

 and the saving in labour and economy in time is of 

 undeniable advantage. With a dryer the latex can be 

 ready for shipment twenty-four hours after its delivery 

 at the factory, and, moreover, the expense of drying- 

 sheds is avoided. Many managers state that artificial 

 dryers must come widely into use very shortly, in view 

 of the rapidly increasing output of the factories. 



When dry the rubber is packed in wooden boxes and 

 despatched to the port of shipment. The cases used 

 are the " Venesta " imported from Russia, the " Momi " 

 from Japan, and various kinds manufactured from 

 native woods. The weight of rubber in these boxes 

 varies on different estates from 112 pounds net to 

 230 pounds net. The ton weight far exceeds the 

 50 cubic feet measurement settled by the Shipping 

 Convention, and for which the charge is 655. from 

 Singapore, Port Swettenham, or Penang, to London or 

 Liverpool or the Continent of Europe. 



In connection with this high charge for freight, some 

 experiments are now being made in the direction of 



