64 PARA RUBBER. 



The Yield from such a Method. 



"This method was systematically begun in October, 1904, and 

 the group of trees has since averaged over 2 lb. of rubber per tree for 

 each month's tapping, and those trees which have been tapped 

 hardest have produced 16 lb. each in twelve months. Although 

 these trees, like the rest, were tapped in alternate months at first 

 with rest in November and January, they were continously tapped 

 from February, right through the drought, up to early in June. 

 Then it was found that the yield was falling off, and they were 

 rested for some time. Tapping was recommenced in September. 

 None of them show signs of drooping, and as further token that new 

 and handsome figures in Ceylon yields are not confined to a few 

 trees, records were produced which showed that the whole of the 

 255 trees on the estate of tappable age had yielded an average of 

 4 lb. per tree in the eight months, without the trees being harassed. 

 A platform is to be erected round some of the trees for tapping high- 

 er up ; and an average yield of 3 lb. per tree is expected at from 6 

 feet to 10 feet from the ground." 



The illustrations on Plates 15 and 18 show at a glance the method 

 adopted ; and the results obtained, both by the inventor and at 

 Peradeniya, will arrest considerable attention among all cultivators 

 of Para rubber. 



The Collecting and Storing or the Latex. 

 Having briefly indicated the general principles of tapping imple- 

 ments and operations, it now remains for us to consider the more 

 special contrivances and methods adopted in the process of collect- 

 ing the latex. 



A Protector. 



Mr. A. H. Bury, Ceylon, has devised an apparatus to protect the 

 collecting cups during tapping operations from rain and mechanical 

 impurities. " The protector is to consist of a zinc collar round the 

 trunk of a rubber tree, sloping slightly downwards at an angle 

 approaching 45 degrees. The protector will have a centre edging 

 of felt, fitting on the tree so as to catch any moisture running down 

 it and allow it to drain off the roof over the latex cup. It will 

 also fasten with a stud fastening, in the same way as an ordinary 

 collar, only there will be several holes on the one end of the collar 

 that fastens over the other, so as to allow of the same sized collar 

 being attached at various times to trees of different girth."* 



Centralizing the Latex from many Trees. 



On most estates the latex is collected from separate incisions on a 



tree or from individual trees, an arrangement which will require a 



very large labour force when large acreages come into bearing. If the 



trees are regularly planted and the slope of the ground is favourable . 



Ceylon Observer. 



