405 



Experimental work and observations on tapping and 

 yield of rubber made in Ceylon are unfortunately of little 

 value for Malaya. The climate of Ceylon rubber districts, 

 with its periods of dry weather, is not comparable with the 

 conditions in Malaya, where rubber trees are in active 

 growth of root, leaf and other tissues practically every day 

 of the year, and where, even when they are leafless, the 

 growth of trees is not entirely stopped. 



On one estate in Perak the yield of dry rubber per 

 acre was 800 lbs,, a little less than 4 lbs. per tree, even 

 though the tree were crowded together 220 to the acre; this 

 rubber was sold at an average price of some 4,5. per lb., thus 

 realising about £160 gross profit per acre, of which more 

 tlian 50 per cent, must have been net profit. 



Preparation of Rubber for the Market. 



There is still no agreement as to the best form in which 

 to prepare rubber for the home market; block, crepe, sheet 

 and biscuit are made by different planters for different 

 reasons. 



One reason which makes it difficult for the producer to 

 make up his mind as to the best form in which to make his 

 rubber is that it is not easy to find what the broker and the 

 manufacturer like best. A big price for a break of crepe 

 gives the impression that this form is desired and will fetch 

 a better price than block or sheet. Shortly after a purchase 

 of block rubber at a price higher than the rest on the 

 market seems to imply that this kind of rubber is wished 

 for. 



The leading brokers, buyers, and manufacturers them- 

 selves when asked as to their opinions are found to differ, 

 and so for the present it must remain an open question 

 whether block, crepe, or sheet will get the best reception on 

 the European Market. 



Light colour and uniformity all through the sample are 

 beginning to be considered as qualities to be aimed at, though 

 the former character is probably only desired by the manu- 

 facturer for, a class of goods which can never consume a 

 very large quantity of raw rubber, and, therefore, it' all 

 prepare to this standard too much may be supplied. 



All who have studied the matter, or who have technical 

 knowledge and experience, are agreed that the most im- 

 portant quality to be arrived at in plantation rubber is 



