212 THE RUBBER INDUSTRY 



and holing is carried out, the holes being cut 2 feet 

 in diameter and 2 feet deep. If the estate is to be 

 clean-weeded, the planter will arrange for weeding by 

 contract or day labour, to begin shortly after the burn. 

 He must buy the necessary plants, if he has not made 

 his own nurseries the previous year. Before the plant- 

 ing season comes, the holes will have been filled in 

 ready for planting. This operation takes place in all 

 months, but October and November are regarded as 

 most suitable, on account of weather conditions. 



The distance apart for planting Para rubber varies 

 so much that no hard-and-fast rule can be laid down. 

 Close planting means a greater yield of latex during 

 the first few years the trees are tapped; but wider 

 distances apart insure better development after the 

 first seven or eight years. Gradually the custom is 

 being established of planting 20 feet by 20 feet (108 

 trees to the acre), 30 feet by 10 feet, or 36 feet by 

 12 feet, the two latter systems termed in Malaya 

 " avenue planting." Considerations of land and general 

 conditions must influence any decision as to what 

 distance the trees should be apart. 



The planting of catch crops is condemned univer- 

 sally in Malaya. A few estates still continue the 

 practice, but the opinion of the great majority of 

 planters is distinctly adverse to it, on the grounds that 

 it seriously retards the development of young rubber- 

 trees. Tapioca has been the principal catch crop 

 grown by both Europeans and Chinese when rubber 

 estates are opened in this manner. Robusta coffee is 

 found in certain districts, and in Province Wellesley 

 a little sugar-cane is still cultivated. One effect of any 



