PARA RUBBER. 79 



In the particular group referred to the majority of the trees have 

 long straight stems, unbranched to a height of 30 to GO feet. But 

 in addition to these there are a few which, from some cause or other, 

 have forked at from 7 to 11 feet from the ground, and in a)\ these 

 cases the trunks are conspicuously larger in circumference and 

 therefore present an increased tapping area. The following are 

 the dimensions of some of the low-branched and straight- 

 stemmed trees ■ — 



//' Hfiratgoda Trees. 

 Circumference of trunk, in inches, a yard from the ground. 



Trees with Tree forked at Tree forked at Tree forked at 

 long straight 1 1 feet from 7 feet from 9 feet from 



Stems. Base. 



Indus. Inches. 



61,65,83,85,76 109 



In all instances those trees which have forked near the ground 

 have a much larger basal circumference, and an illustration of one. 

 which has forked at about 11 feet from the ground, is shown on 

 Plate 17, Series A. This tree has a girth of nearly 110 inches, a 

 yard from the ground ; the surrounding; trees, though of the same 

 age. 'have an average circumference of about 75 inches. 



It does not need any argument to prove that an increase in 

 circumference of over 30 inches is an advantage, and the fact that 

 such an increase has occurred in the tapping areas of trees about 

 30 years old is sufficiently encouraging to tempt the planter to 

 carry out a few bud-pruning experiments, once his trees have 

 attained a height of about ten to twenty feet. The buds which 

 appear in undesirable places can be removed by "thumb-nail" 

 pruning. Experiments have been made with young trees in their 

 first and second years, and in each case the increased rate of 

 circumference has been obtained in trees within the second year. 

 In dealing with young plants it is an easy matter to nip off the 

 terminal bud of the main stem, when the desired height has 

 been obtained ; this is usually followed by the development of 

 lateral shoots, the growth of which should be encouraged according 

 to circumstances. An increase in the number of lateral shoots 

 means an ultimate increase in the foliage, and it is on this point that 

 the success of the work depends. The pruning should be carried out 

 in such a manner that the resultant plant has an increased quantity 

 of foliage, whereby a larger food supply can be built up for the benefit 

 of all parts of the plant. If the work is done in such a manner as to 

 deprive the plant of its leaves for a long period of time, the growth 

 of the stem will be temporarily checked, and the immediate 

 increased rate of growth of the stem tissue? cannot be expected. 



The best Season to Tap. 



The Para rubber trees in Ceylon drop their leaves in February 



or March, produce new leaves and flowers after a leafless phase of a 



few days or a couple of weeks, and yield ripe fruit in August and 



