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obtained from the leaves by extraction with solvents when the pro 

 cess is carried out on the spot. 



The possibility of extracting gutta percha from the leaves lias 

 been the subject of many investigations during recent years, and 

 numerous processes, many of winch arc protected by patents, have 

 been already devised for the purpose. Most ot those depend upon 

 the extraction of the gutta percha by means of solvents, but others 

 have been suggested in which the gutta percha is obtained by 

 mechanical treatment. Several of the: extraction processes have 

 been tried upon a commercial scale in Europe, but for various rea- 

 sons the results have been very unsatisfactory from a financial point 

 of view, and it is believed that at the present time all the factories 

 established in Europe have practically suspended operations. 



It would appear from the results of these trials that in order to 

 make any process a success it will be necessary to work it on the 

 spot and that further experiments arc required to determine the 

 particular method most suited to the local conditions. Many of the 

 processes which have been suggested involve the use of solvents 

 of low boiling points, and would be very difficult to carry out in the 

 tropics upon a large scale. From this point of view a mechanical 

 process would be much preferable if one giving satisfactory results 

 could be devised. It has been stated that the quality of the gutta 

 percha obtained by mechanical methods is better than that pre- 

 pared by the use of solvents, but t lie yield is said to be very much 

 less. It would be well if this latter point could be definitely settled 

 and experiments might be made to determine whether the yield 

 could not be greatly increased by suitable treatment. A proc ss 

 depending upon the digestion and agitation of the crushed lea\ < > 

 with hot water in suitable machines may be suggested as one 

 deserving experimental trial. 



The gutta-percha in fresh leaves could possibly be readily sepa- 

 rated by such treatment, and could be easily washed free from 

 vegetable impurities. Machinery has been designed for extracting 

 rubber from bark in this way. and is at present being used in the 

 French Congo for the preparation of "' root-rubber ". If such a 

 process, suitably modi tied, could be. used for extracting gutta-per- 

 cha from leaves, it would be much more preferable and cheaper 

 than any method involving the use of solvents. 



It is understood that several processes are at present undergo- 

 ing practical trials in the East, and the results of these will afford 

 some indication of their suitability for general use, and the possi- 

 bility of their proving a financial success. It would probably be 

 desirable to await the results of these trials before commencing 

 operations upon a large scale in the Straits Settlements, and in 

 the meantime to carry out some experiments upon mechanical 

 processes as suggested above. 



Another point which arises in connection with this subject i.s the 

 possibility of obtaining regularly a sufficient supply of leaves to 

 itnake the industry remunerative. It seems probable that, whatever 

 process be adopted, it could only be successfully worked in con 



