22 



It is clear from the above that the systems adopted 

 on these three estates are as different as they can pos- 

 sibly be. It seems almost impossible that each estate 

 can produce rubber which can hardly be equalled by that 

 of its neighbour. Nevertheless at most exhibitions the 

 produce from these three estates are generally awarded 

 some distinction. It strikes one very forcibly that re- 

 sults in the future will depend largely on the men in 

 charge and not on the particular method or apparatus 

 employed. Some of the planters, with the simplest ap- 

 pliances and by means of what undoubtedly are the 

 crudest methods, achieve most magnificent results. 

 Practical planters do not appear to require elaborate 

 apparatus to turn out fine brands of rubber in large 

 quantities. 



Tapping. 



Most of the estates are tapping trees which had a 

 circumference of twenty inches a yard from the ground. 

 A few were extracting latex from trees having only a 

 girth of fifteen to eighteen inches. On the majority of 

 estates the tapped trees on which operations were com- 

 menced a year or more ago were still yielding paying 

 quantities of rubber; on one property, however, the tap- 

 ping of young trees nearly five years old has been sus- 

 pended, and will not be recommenced for quite another 

 year as the proprietors are strongly of the opinion that 

 whatever is lost in yield from the young trees is cou:pter- 

 balanced by the more rapid growth and subsequently 

 larger yields. 



