405 
Kew, planted at Old Calabar in August 1900 is reported to have 
flowered January 1909. 
The yield from felled trees is naturally much greater than froni 
standing trees, because the fallen tree càn be tapped to the fullest 
extent, but this—a purely native method—has led almost to the 
extinction of the tree, and is not recommended (Kew Bull. 1891, 
pp. 234—235). 
General information on tapping is given under Funtumia 
elastica and Para Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis), and the methods 
are similar for Gutta Percha. The best time for tapping is said 
to be soon after the rainy season is over (Collins, Journ, Soc. Arts, 
xxxii. 1884, p. 206). 
Estimates of the quantity cf solid extract are very variable; 
from trees about 15-17 years old (plantation experiments by 
. from 
f the first or best variety, and 50 or 60 Ib. 
from trees 100—140 ft. high (Collins, Journ. Soc. Arts, xxxii. 
1884, p. 206). Trees 30-35 years old are said to yield 2-3 Ib. 
of Gutta under the destructive native method of tapping (Gamble, 
Man. Ind. Timb. p. 445) 
The above refers to extract from the trunk, but it is possible 
to obtain a substantial amount from the green and dry leaves. In 
the Museum at Kew there are some fine samples of Gutta Percha 
from the leaves of trees grown at Tjipetir, Java, and at Singapore. 
There are two processes—the mechanical and chemical—by 
whieh it may be recovered from the leaves and young branches, 
both are fully diseussed in Kew Bull. No 
pp. 231-239, and No. 125-126, May and June, 1897, p. 200. 
utta from the leaves in Malaya seems to have been fairly 
successful, though it was expected in 1896, that the difficulty of 
dry state from Singapore, Sumatra, Borneo, ete., to factories in 
Europe— Brussels, Orleans, Paris, and treated by chemical means 
yielded a useful product, though of inferior quality. It is con- 
sidered better to treat the leaves while green and by other than 
chemical processes in order to avoid oxidation and changes in 
structure (see the India Rubber Journ. Oct. 30th, 1899, Zsonandr 
Hookeri). In 1913 it is reported (Suppl. to F.M.S. Govt. Gaz. 
1914, ''Forests," p. 16) in the Malay States that 32 pikuls 
ns 
