PARA RUBBER, 65 



there seems to be no reason why a much simpler arrangement 

 for collecting the latex from all or a large number of the trer>s should 

 not be adopted. 



A method has been brought forward whicli has for its object 

 the collecting of the latex from an indefinite number of incisions 

 in one or more trees and conveying it to a common centre, a method 

 which affects the question of labour on large estates. Its complete 

 success depends upon keeping the latex in a liquid condition for a 

 period of time which varies according to the distance over which 

 the latex has to be transmitted. The invention is applicable to the 

 V, single oblique, half and full spiral methods of tapping, and in 

 part is applicable to other systems. By favour of Mr. Brown, 

 the system is here briefly outlined. 



Numerous drip spouts made of suitable material are fixed to the 

 base of each incision ; the spouts are grooved and of unequal length 

 and are so positioned on the stem as to allow the latex to drip from the 

 upper into the lower spout and finally into a basal coil at the bottomof 

 the tree. The basil coil is grooved and goes completely round the stem 

 at the bottom, and is provided with legs adjusted so as to tilt forward 

 on one side and so allow the latex to escape at a lip or through a hole 

 into a receptacle or ocnducting channel beneath. By these means it 

 is claimed that the latex from a very large number of trees can be 

 brought to one point, a great advantage in collecting latex from 

 widely distant trees. The accompanying illustration, on Plate It, 

 Series A, shows the arrangement of the various parts. 



Drip-tests : their Construction and Action. 



It is well-known to most planters who are tapping Para rubber 

 trees that the latex as it issues from a newly-made incision may 

 vary much in consistency, sometimes being very watery and flow 

 ing freely, at other times being too thick to trickle along the lines 

 prepared for it. In high tapping the latex may have to traverse a 

 distance of over twenty feet along the stem before it reaches the 

 receptacle at the base and in many instances never succeeds in 

 being collected except as scrap rubber. Furthermore, the late.v 

 during the periods of drought does not run as freely as when tb»- 

 moisture conditions are more favourable. 



In all such instances the latex tends to coagulate on the tree and 

 is subsequently coUected as scrap. An attempt has been made to 

 overcome this difficulty on an invention patented by Brown, called 

 the drip-tin. This consists of a receptacle made to hold a known 

 quantity of water and ammonia or water and formalin. It has 

 a concave surface to fit the convex outline of the tree and is fixed 

 to the bark by means of pins. At the base it is drawn out to a 

 fine point, which, when the drip-tin is adjusted, is in contact with 

 the tapping area on the stem. The point is provided with an in- 

 genious screw arrangement by means of which the drops of liquid 

 allowed to issue can be regulated according to requimnents. The 

 apparatus is placed at the top of each incision . and as soon as the tree 



