35 



Cost ol Rubber Production in Ceylon. 



I visited several rubber properties in Ceylon possessing^ 

 a large number of Para rubber trees of different ages, in 

 bearing. On only one occasion was the superintendent 

 unable to produce rubber at a profit when it stood at 3s. 

 per lb. In this particular case all the tapped trees were 

 from four-and-a-half to five years old; the youthfulness 

 of the property and inexperience of the man in charge 

 were probably responsible for such a condition of affairs. 



The cost of production varies considerably on estates 

 in the same district, and especially when the trees are of 

 different ages. On one well-known Kalutara property 

 the rubber during 1907 was delivered f.o.ib. in Colombo 

 at 80 cents (100 cents = is. 4d.). On that same property 

 it was estimated that, in the future, when the whole of the 

 estate was in bearing, the oosit would be reduced to 55 

 cents. 



On another prapenty the cost when dealing with young 

 trees only was 85 cents, and with old trees 48.15 cents 

 per lb. of rubber. The superintendent hopes to be able, 

 when the whole of his large estate is in bearing, to bring 

 down the oosit, f.o.b. London (but without London 

 charges), to 50 or 60 cents per lb. 



On another property the cost of production, including 

 all diarges in Colombo and London, was Ri-So from 

 young trees. The manager was of the opinion that, as far 

 as his plantation was concerned, the cost in the future 

 would ibe Ri.o per lib. Hisi coolie check-roll average was 

 35 cents per day. The same planter was of oipninion that 

 a very large labour force, at cheap rates, must be avail- 

 able to do the work at that cost over the whole island. 



Standardization o! Monthly Accounts. 



It is very difficult to form a correct. idea of the actual 

 cost incurred in work such as marking the trees, tapping 

 and collecting, curing, freight, packing-cases and pack- 

 ing, tapping-knives, etc., owing to the fact that each 

 estate has its own form of rendering accounts. Further- 

 more, on plantations with tea and other products in 

 addition to rubber, a varying proportion of capital and 

 revenue expenses are charged against the rubber, ac- 

 cording to the system of accounts adopted. 



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