308 



of cooly lines and also several ac res of low-lying land which I intend 

 to utilise for ilie growth 'of u pad i " (rice). 



Experiments 7- Experiments on the extraction and coagulation of the latex 

 in the extrac- of Hevea brazil 'icnsis have been made at S'tiawan (Perak). A re- 

 tion of rubber. p ort f t j le WQP jj carried out there was furnished, a copy of which 

 forms the subject of appendix C. The results, so far obtained. I 

 consider entirely justify the great interest taken in this product. 

 Although it has not been definitely decided at what age tapping 

 operations can profitably commence, it will be seen, from the report 

 attached, that an average yield of fib. of dry commercial rubber 

 was obtained from 6- to 7 year-old trees growing under somewhat 

 unfavourable conditions, while g-year-old trees gave an average of 

 2 lb. The largest amount obtained from one tree (9 years old) was 

 5 lb. \ \ oz. of dry marketable rubber. 



Disparity in 8. One of the most notable features in connection with these 

 >' ielc * experiments was that of the disparity in yield of trees of similar age 



and dimensions, and growing under precisely the same conditions, 

 and apparently possessing neither specific nor varietal distinction. 

 This fact makes it very essential that experiments — if they are to 

 be conclusive — must be conducted on a large number of trees. It 

 is probably accounted for by the cells, constituting the laticiferous 

 tissue, being more intercommunicative in some trees than is the case 

 in others. When possible, propagation should be from those trees 

 which are known to yield freely. 



9. A few trees, 3^ years old, and which had a circumference of 

 32 inches at 3 ft. from the ground, were tapped on the Petaling Es- 

 tate and an average yield of 6 oz. obtained. This is evidently too 

 young, as the amount of rubber obtained was quite of proportion to 

 Age at which the labour entailed. It is questionable whether trees under five 

 tapping years of age can be tapped profitably, but experiments in this direc- 

 might com- t j on are diffi CLl it owing to the scarcity of trees of the requisite a°;e. 

 mence J . 



Other experi- I0 * Other experiments are in progress and will be continued 

 from time to time with a view to deciding any question that may 



inents 



arise with regard to the extraction and coagulation of latex. 



The African ii. Among other new plants introduced lately from the Botanic 

 rubber. Gardens, Gold Coast, was Kickxia africana, the well-known and 

 important African rubber plant. Some seeds of this species have 

 been distributed among the planters and some sent to the Singa- 

 pore and Penang Botanic Gardens. This is the first time. I 

 believe, that the true African rubber plant has been introduced, 

 and, judging from the growth during the last six months, it promises 

 to be a success. 



Seeds of ornamental trees, palms, etc., were given to the Chair- 

 man of the Public Gardens Committee. 



Estates 12. A considerable portion of my time during the year under 



visited. review has been occupied in visiting estates throughout the Native 



States. A thorough grasp of the state of agriculture has been 

 gained thereby, together with the opinion of the planters on various 

 agricultural matters. 



