493 



The results of this examination show that these resins exhibit 

 considerable differences in chemical composition and properties. 

 They are all, however, partiall}^ soluble in alcohol and completely 

 soluble in turpentine oil forming fairly light-coloured varnishes, and 

 would therefore be classed commercially as dammars. 



Commercial Valuation. 



Samples of the nine dammars were submitted for valuation to 

 commerical experts, who were also informed of the results of their 

 examination. They reported on the samples as follows : — 



Number 





Commercial 



Commercial values 



of 



Description. 



experts. 



estimated by 



Sample 





comment. 



experts. 



I. 



Dammar penak 



"Clean pale yellow" 



55s. to 60s. per cwt. 



2. 



„ Kumus 



"Black" 



20s. per cwt. 



3. 



„ Mata Kuchtng 



"Pale drop" 



70s 



4. 



Soongyi 



"Black" 



15s „ 



5. 



Meranti 



"Chalky" 



lOS „ 



6. 



„ Mata Kuching 



"Bold pale" 



60s „ 



7- 



„ Rengkong 



"Green like Ceylon" 



35s „ 



8. 



„ Merawan 



"White" 



35s „ 



9. 



„ Strayah (Serayah) "Chalky inferior" 



5s to 6s per cwt. 



The prices quoted for the better qualities of the dammars in- 

 cluded in this series of samples compare very favourably with those 

 obtained in the open market in London, thus on the November 1905, 

 the better qualities of Batavia dammar were quoted at from 70 s. to 80 

 s. per cwt. and Singapore kinds at from 30 s. to 75 s. per cwt. (Novem- 

 ber 1905). 



(Colonial Reports Miscellaneous No. 63 Imperial Institute Gums 

 and Resins- 182) 



OIL FROM RUBBER TREE SEEDS. 



The United States Consul-General at Singapore suggests that the 

 oil of seeds of Hevea Braziliensis will ultimately be of great commer- 

 cial value. He recalls that it was a long time before the oil of cotton 

 seeds became a valuable commercial factor. The Consul-General (Mr. 

 Dubois) reports that at present there is such a demand for the seeds of 

 Htvea for planting that the supply is not sufficient. It is now 

 suggested by experts, however, that in erecting machinery on new 

 rubber plantations the plans should be made with a view to rubber 

 seed crushing machines being included later. This would leave a 

 residue on the estates which it is believed willjprove good for cattle 

 food, as well as a fertilizer for rubber trees. (United States Daily 

 Consular and Trade Reports, September 13, 1910). 



