262 



THE RUBBER INDUSTRY 



interplanted with other cultivations, and little attention 

 given to it in the earlier stages. As regards yield of 

 latex, there is very small difference from trees of equal 

 ages at high and low elevations ; this is in marked con- 

 trast to the general characteristic features prevalent in 

 this respect in Ceylon, the only country where the 

 physical conditions in any way resemble those existing 

 in Java. The only plausible explanation is that south 

 of the Equator different climatic influences come into 

 action, and rainfall and temperature are not affected by 

 variations to the same extent as happens in countries 

 lying to the north of the equatorial line. 



The following statistics, collected from various rubber 

 estates, afford a general idea of the climatic conditions : 



* Exceptional rainfall caused by proximity to mountain ranges. 



