102 TAPPING PARA RUBBER TREES. 



made tin boxes, 6 iuches by 4 inches Iw 2 inches, nailed at the 

 base of the tree, with the lid partially opened so as to prevent 

 wet or dirt from falling in. When fiill this was allowed to dry, 

 and the water pressed out (a pinch of salt appears to expedite 

 the coagulation), and then kept in smoke for about a week to 

 prevent mildew. 



TIME OF TAPPINC4. 



Para rubber has a short resting season, when most of the 

 leaves fall off. The flowers usually appear first, and when the 

 tree is in full fohage tapping can be commenced and carried on 

 with different trees until again deciduous. The first cuts can 

 be made at any time of the day, and may be left for weeks in 

 the event of exceptionally wet weather, but the subsequent 

 tappings should always be done in the evening as the rubber 

 soon ceases to exude with the influence of the sun. 



PLANTING. 



Most of the trees at Kuala Kangsar are planted on wet 

 land, subject to l)e flooded every year. Some, however, are on 

 high dry land, but my experiments are not sufficiently complete 

 to say if there is any difference in the yield of rubber on dry 

 against wet land. 



The tree appears to be the most adaptable of any rulilier 

 tree, growing from swampy lands to an elevation of several 

 hundred feet, and seems to thrive on any ordinary soil. The 

 material point in its cultivation is close planting. I recommend 

 not more than fifteen feet apart. 



REMARKS. 



I am of opinion that a tree five or six years old is capable of 

 producing Ij poimds, and a tree thirteen years old, 5 pounds of 

 rubber without injury. The cost of tapping, drying, and pre- 

 paring I should estimate, working on a large scale, about 30 

 cents per pound. The present London value for dry rubber is 

 from 3s. 6d. to 3s. 8d. (sterling) per pound. 



I would add that I shall he able to ofl'er some further 

 remarks when my experiments are completed, and when I receive 

 an opinion on the samples sent home. 



