RUBBER PLANTING 9 



Early Experiments. 



Some of the earliest experiments in tapping planted 

 rubber trees were begun by Trimen at Henaratgoda in 

 1 888. One of the largest of the original trees was tapped 

 a few times in alternate years. Tapping consisted in 

 making gashes in the bark with a hammer and chisel, 

 in imitation of the methods employed in the Amazon 

 country. The recorded yields were as follows: 



TABLE II 

 Yields of Rubber from one tree at Henaratgoda. 



Year Ib. oz. 



1888 I u| 



1890 2 10 



1892 2 13 



i894 3 3 



1896 3 o 



Despite the fact that his first estimate of the probable 

 yield of a rubber plantation was a very low one accord- 

 ing to modern ideas, and although it was not considered 

 safe in those days to tap the trees at an earlier age than 

 10 or 12 years, Trimen foresaw that a very handsome 

 profit could be obtained from rubber planting, and 

 strongly advocated the cultivation of this product in 

 Ceylon in his report for 1888. In 1890 the Ceylon 

 Forest Department opened an experimental plantation 

 which was increased to some extent in subsequent years, 

 but on estates little planting took place during the 

 decade immediately following. 



