134 RUBBER AND 



of rest, which is more or less extended according to the 

 freedom with which the latex is found to flow. 



The method here described is open to the same 

 abuse as all other pricking systems, in the temptation 

 which it presents of overtapping small trees. But if 

 no trees under 18 inches in circumference are tapped, 

 and if the method is adopted of resting any field which 

 shows a falling off in yield, the system seems to be 

 largely free from theoretical disadvantages. According 

 to Mr Tisdall, a noticeable feature in this method of 

 pricking is the immunity of the tree from canker and 

 bark-rot in comparison with the paring system, and the 

 healthy appearance of the foliage after an extended 

 period of tapping. So far the disadvantages appear 

 to be the difficulty of collection in wet weather and the 

 extra cost of tapping as compared to paring. On the 

 estate where the system has been evolved, highly 

 satisfactory yields are said to be obtained by this 

 method. The system may be recommended for trial 

 elsewhere, bearing in mind that a method of tapping 

 which suits one district is often quite unsuccessful in 

 another. 



Another incision system, suggested by Mr Kelway 

 Bamber, has been on trial for some time by the Botanic 

 Department of Ceylon. The method is deserving of 

 mention on account of the large yields which have 

 been obtained from young trees without apparent 

 damage. 



Bamber's method consists in cutting two vertical 



