18 



where it is indigenous, tire found in only favourable localities near 

 the coast and cannot be relied on further inland. Hence clear felling 

 with no reservation of stan lards is indicated. 



The rotation is very suitable or ideal localities is as low as 10 

 years for fuel production ; but considering the poorness of the soil in 

 abandoned mining areas I 5 or even 20 years may be found nearer 

 the mark. Probably another thinning may be suggested at the 10th 

 year for a fifteen year rotation or 12th year for a 20th year cycle 

 and this intermediate yield sold for fuel. 



As a financial first cost it would not be overstating it if from 35 t° 

 40 cents per acre per annum may be expected as nett profit from a 

 regular plantation {i.e., from the area actually planted and not in- 

 cluding water holes and fire-traces for example) that is systematical- 

 ly worked. 



(k). Inspection by responsible Forest Officer. — Especially in the 

 early stages of nursery operations and of stocking the area frequent 

 inspections are necessary for the timely correction of mistakes. In- 

 spection is imperative at the commencement and early progress of a 

 stage of work, eg., at sowing, pricking out, clearing and burning of 

 brushwood on area, pitting and transplanting, replacement of failures 

 and pruning ; and on the completion of any such works so as to 

 check the efficiency of the work done and that no gaps in detail have 

 been committed, 



R. D. HUDSON. 



Singapore, 1 2th January, 1905. 



Coagulation of the Latex of Ficus Elastica. 



by P. J. Burgess. 



Ficus elastica gives a latex which is unlike that from Hevea 

 Braziliensh in being acid, and which cannot be converted into 

 marketable rubber by the same means that are adopted in the case of 

 the latter. 



This latex has up to the present been difficult to manipulate and 

 the method of treatment which I am about to describe is new, and 

 from experiments made in the laboratory, promises to be quite 

 successful on a large scale. Ficus elastica can be made to yield an 

 abundant latex which can be easily collected and which is quite liquid 

 and which appears to remain liquid for an indefinite time. 



The best method of tapping this tree is yet to be described, but 

 large yields of clean fluid latex can be obtained and I have recently 

 had ocular proof of that fact and I understand that a description of 

 the method used is to be soon published. 



The latex when collected refuses to coagulate, and final resort to 

 boiling the latex has in some cases been necessary. This is trouble- 

 some and inefficient, the rubber only separates slowly and very im- 

 perfectly. 



