RUBBER PLANTING 155 



incoming latex is heavier for transit than the outgoing 

 rubber. Water power should be made use of if avail- 

 able, but this is comparatively rare on rubber estates. 

 The source of power usually employed consists of steam 

 or suction gas or liquid fuel engines, of which the latter 

 are probably the more popular. A supply of steam may 

 however be required for heating purposes. 



The amount of power required depends upon the 

 size of the estate. On a plantation of 500 acres pro- 

 vision will have to be made for turning out 1000 pounds 

 of dry rubber daily at certain seasons of the year. The 

 treatment of the latex cannot be delayed, and machinery 

 must be available for dealing with the maximum crop 

 at any season. For this output about 45 horse power 

 will be required for the washing and creping machines, 

 in addition to about 8 horse power for vacuum driers, if 

 these are adopted. 



Several firms of engineers now specialize in the 

 building of rubber factories and in the provision of 

 suitable machinery. The details of structure and equip- 

 ment best adapted to the needs of any particular estate 

 can best be settled in consultation with a reliable firm. 

 One of the most important details to be considered 

 relates to the lighting of the factory. Plenty of light is 

 desirable for working the washing, rolling and creping 

 machines, but in the subsequent stages of the process of 

 manufacture an excess of light is to be avoided, owing 

 to the injurious effect of light upon the rubber. Rooms 

 intended for the drying and storage of the rubber 



