255 
height to the branches 12 feet, while its total height could not be less 
than 50 or 60 feet, and its foliage area a quarter of an acre. A tree of 
this size ought to give large quantities of milk if tapped at the right time 
of the year, Althoughit wasin fruit when I tapped it, and the season 
being very dry, was in every respect unsuitable, yet the milk exuded 
in large drops, and flowed for a considerable distance down the trunk. 
Three quarts of milk were extracted from this tree without injuring it 
in any way, and I dais little doubt that at any time between the months 
of July aud February from four to five gallons could have been ob- 
tained with but litile trouble: The trees, however, should only be 
tapped on alternate years, so as to leave time for a fresh growth of bark 
to replace that which is removed. It is difficult to form an accurate 
estimate of the per-centage of dry rubber that pA RE be yielded ay a 
gallon of milk, but I have reason to be lieve from M. experi 
care yi which it is prepared, and I have reason to believe that the 
milk of this species, at least, of tho “ Abba” tree, can be made to give 
an excellent sample. 
ould the above facts be established, it becomes evident that planta- 
tions of the * Abba " tree would be a highly profitable investment. It 
is ae by the simple method of cutting offa branch and pushing it 
nto the ground, and on account of the facility and rapidity with which 
it is raise ed, the natives used it largely for fence posts. From the 
trees already i in full growth in the bush and towns a considerable export 
trade could be readily established, ie careful planting would develop 
this trade to almost an unlimited ex 
"he rubber gatherer has no need p expensive implements or heavy 
baggage when he goes into the bush to collect and prepare the milk. 
He should take half a dozen or more kepem kerosine-oil tins. 
With these tins, a sharp cutlass, a few yards of strong cotton cloth, and 
a sieve made of doubled muslin fastened like a jelly bag to a round hoo oop, 
he has all that he absolutely requires for his work. 
On reaching the tree to be tapped, deep incisions are made 
side only of the stem and branches, "The milk, as it flows from the i in- 
cisions, is directed into the collector’s vessel by a small piece of tin 
which is inserted into the bark so as to serve as a spout, 
When the day's work is done, the milk should be mixed with an equal 
quantity of pure rain water, and strained through the sieve = Bes 
kerosine-oil tins, which have been well scalded to rem 
traces of grease. The mixture should be left to stand, witho ik Ae 
moved or shaken, for 36 hours. "The milk will then have risen to the 
surface, and the water and impurities which have sunk can awn 
away through a small hole near the vg of the tin 2 which has eges 
stopped by a plug of wood. As so white particles are see 
pass through the hole vit the visé, the es should "be inserted, p 
the Mice milk poured into the prepared tin, with the cotton-cloth 
bag in 
The milk, having been poured into the bag until the tin is half full, 
should e left with. the mouth of the pe well tied, and a square piece 
of wood lying on the top of it for 12 hou A bag of sand weighing 
about 10 pounds may then be put on to eus top of the piece of wood for 
en 
from the perforations in the sides and bottom of the tin during this 
E BM MMS WER —— — A A* 
