35 



Of the incision tapi)ing, the most satisfactory results, so far as 

 the quantity of latex is concerned, were obtained from the spiral 

 system : this gave in comparison with the total length of cuts the 

 highest yield of latex. 



Taking it all round however the experiments carried out with 

 the excision method have been very disappointing. Trees tapped last 

 year for the first time, and tapped on the same area this year gave 

 only one ton of the amount of latex yielded last year. This shows 

 that a tree has to be given many 3^ears rest after one tapping before 

 it can be profitably tapped again. 



There seems to me little doubt left that the incision tappping by 

 means of a pricker is the right method for Funtumia trees, as there 

 is comparatively little damage done to the plant and, as Dr. Christy of 

 Uganda assured us, a tree can be tapped three times a year without 

 showing a decrease in yield. 



Experiments were also made in connection with the preparation 

 of Funtumia rubbber. 



Of cold methods, i.e., coagulation without boiling the latex, purub 

 and acetic had no effect on the Funtumia latex. Good biscuits can 

 be prepared by adding formalin or absolute alcohol to the latter. But 

 there is no reason why the native should use expensive chemicals for 

 the preparation of this rubber, as good thin biscuits can just as well 

 be made by simply boiling the latex and then washing and pressing 

 it, the principle thing being to boil as small a quantity of latex as 

 possible at a time, so as to ensure the preparation of very thin biscuits. 

 The latter are then easily dried. (Report on Forest and Agriculture 

 in Southern Nigeria). 



Improvement in Quality of Rubber* 



Foreseeing that if the quality of rubber exports from Southern 

 iVigeria were not improved, the rubber buyers at home would not 

 only lower the price of our rubber but would also in time possibly 

 refuse to purchase it at all, the Forestry Department with a very 

 limited staff commenced instructing the natives in the manufacture of 

 biscuit rubber. Forest Officers instructed the natives throughout 

 the whole of the Central Province, and biscuit rubber commenced to 

 come in before the merchants were really prepared to buy it. But as 

 the latter continued to give full prices for the lump rubber the natives 

 became discouraged and gave up making the biscuits, the difference 

 in price not compensating them for the extra labour. 



The Chamber of Commerce of Lagos was approached and it was 

 suggested that an inspection fee of 2d. per pound should be placed on 

 all rubber exported and the proceeds be spent in increasing the teach- 

 ing staff of the Forest Department so that all the rubber tappers in 

 the Protector might be instructed, and persuaded to give up making 

 lump rubber. 



