385 



That the maximum value should be ascertained and always used 

 is clear from the expression given for the percentage of trees tap- 

 ped daily where it is seen that the percentage increases as t in- 

 creases, this put into practical form means that more trees would 

 be always available for tapping and the returns from the estate 

 would be correspondingly greater. The most pressing need at 

 present is that the limiting values for this quantity and for the 

 necessary period of rest T be determined experimentally, until that 

 be done the probable returns to be expected from estates can onlv 

 be guessed at, and there is and can be no guarantee that the crop 

 is not being partially wasted though neglect of harvesting it com- 

 plete!)'. 



There arc numerous details such as the shape of the cross sec- 

 tion of the cuts, the collection of scrap, the preliminary addition of 

 preservative to the cups, the cutting tool to be used, which I have 

 purposelv left untouched fearing that their introduction would tend 

 to obscure the two main issues of the selection of the type of cut 

 to be adopted and the way in which the adoption can be carried 

 out systematically. 



These details are for the field rather than the study and if con- 

 sidered should be the subject of a special communication. 



P. J. BURGESS. 



R. C. 1770/04. 



Resident Councillor's Office, 



Malacca, 22nd October, 1904. 



Sir. — You may like to notice in the next Agricultural Bulletin 

 the enclosed list of prices received for a parcel of Para rubber pre- 

 pared in the Government Gardens at Bukit Sebukor in Malacca 

 under the supervision of Mr. F. B. Gacliardi, then an Officer of 

 the Malacca Forest Department. 



2. The rubber was dried without the addition of any acid 

 whatsoever. 



I have, &c, 



R. N. BLAND. 

 Acting- Resident Councillor . 



The Editor, 



Agricultural Bulletin, 

 Singapore. 



