291 



If trees, after having been reopened ten times, still yield much 

 latex, it is advisable to continue the tapping a little longer only on 

 the lower edge of the incisions instead of working both edges. 



In the years 1903 and 1904, the influence of the temperature 

 variations on the quantity of the yield of rubber was gone into 

 closer. 



To that effect the trees taken for tapping from the lot planted 

 in the Gardens in 1883 were divided into three groups. 



Each group was tapped at different seasons of the year. 

 For 1903, the results were as follows: — 



Group. 



1. 



II. 



III. 



Tapped in the month(s) of 



Jan.-Feb. 



June. 



Sept.-Oct. 



Rainfall ... M.M. 



324 



197 



379 



No. of rainy days 



14 



7 



9 



Surface tapped ... M 2 



122 



926 



124 



Total yield ... ... Grs. 



7,115 



4,318 



10,482 



Yield per M 2 surface ... Grs. 



583 



466 



845 



In 1 904, these three groups, tapped during other periods, gave 

 the following: — 



Group. 



I. 



II. 



III. 



Tapped in the month(s) of . . . 



Sept.-Oct. 



June-July. 



February. 



Rainfall 



. M.M. 



711 



403 



250 



No. of rainy days 





17 



13 



9 



Surface tapped 



. M 2 



12*2 



9-26 



124 



Total yield 



. Grs. 



6,718 



4,678 



10,697 



Yield per M 2 surface . 



. Grs. 



551 



505 



863 



Inasmuch as both years may be considered wet ones, yet as 

 regards that, no marked difference is shown in the yield of the 

 rubber. 



The largest variation of rainy days appears in Group II. In this 

 group, the yield was a little more in the wet year. 



In wet years, it does not matter when the Hevea trees are tapped. 



In normal cases, the best times for tapping generally are at the 

 beginning and the end of the wet seasons. 



Tapping during the rainy seasons is accompanied by practical 

 difficulties, as the work is difficult shortly after the rain. 



The collection of the latex is difficult as the trunks from the 

 Heveas are still wet from the rain water, as from the flowing 

 incisions the latex spreads in all directions of the trunk. 



