44 
district.  The  wound  effect  experiments  and  observations  are  based 
on  the  effects  of  re-opening  old  wounds  by  taking  off  a thin  slice 
each  day.  However  wound  effect  is  not  confined  to  cases  where 
this  method  is  adopted. 
Experiments  made  in  the  Singapore  Gardens  seem  to  show  that 
what  is  known  in  Brazil  as  calling  the  latex  is  really  producing  this 
wound  effect  though  the  incisions  are  not  made  in  the  same  part  of 
the  tree.  Indeed  Mr.  Ardkn  notes  himself  that  in  some  trees 
which  had  been  previously  tapped,  a larger  return  was  obtained 
from  the  other  side  of  the  tree  than  was  obtained  from  a previously 
untapped  tree.  That  the.  wound  effect  is  diminished  by  allowing 
the  trees  to  rest  between  the  renewing  of  the  incisions  seems  to  be 
shown  by  some;  of  the  experiments,  but  further  researches  in  this 
direction  are  required. 
Some  experiments  were  made  on  the  yield  when  leafless,  when 
commencing  to  grow  and  uhen  in  full  growth,  showing  an  increase 
during  the  resting  period,  but  more  information  is  required  on  this 
]3oint,  as  the  author  remarks,  and  in  all  ex}3eriments  of  this  kind 
the  condition  of  the  weather  at  the  time  and  for  some  time  pre- 
viously should  be  taken.  W'ith  respect  to  the  tapping  age,  some 
quantity  of  rubber  can  be  obtained  as  shewn  in  the  report  from  3^ 
and  4 year  old  trees,  but  this  is  probably  much  too  \oung  to  com- 
mence to  work  profitably  and  it  is  stated  in  some  works  that  this 
young  rubber  is  of  inferior  quality.  It  is  probable  that  the  size  of 
the  trees  which  varies  a good  deal  according  to  position,  soil,  etc. 
is  almost  as  important  as  age. 
As  to  the  preparation  of  the  rubber  by  acnuic  acid  the  samples 
turned  out  by  Mr  AkI)1*x  left  nothing  to  be  ch*siretl  in  appearance 
and  \rcre  highly  valued  by  experts. 
The  last  section  deals  with  the  ( ost  of  op  ning  and  maintaining 
an  estate,  the  figures  seem  approximatrly  correct,  though  1 .should 
be  inclined  to  consider  the  estimate  for  wecdiim  too  hii>h,  and  am 
much  inclined  to  doubt  the  advantages  'd  kef‘plng  the  ground 
absolutely  bare  of  low  W(*eds  at  least,  ('specially  during  the  earlier 
years  of  th(‘  plant’s  life  before  the  giound  is  .sufficieutly  shaded  by 
the  foliage  to  protect  the  roots  from  the  sunheat.  t he  estimate  of 
returns  and  value  of  the  product  is  also  very  moderate,  and  is  pro- 
bably much  undiTe.stimated. 
'fhe  whole  report  is  an  excelbmt  piece  of  w'ork  and  worth  the 
study  of  all  those  interested  in  Rubber.  It  Is  printed  at  the  'Fai- 
ping  Government  Printing  Office. 
RUBBER  TAPPING  EXPERIMENTS  IN  THE 
BOTANIC  GARDENS. 
In  the  month  ot  Eebruarv,  we  had  a visit  from  M.  BoN.Nl^CH.VUX, 
a man  of  great  experience  in  the  rubber  business  of  the  Amazons, 
where  he  had  spent  some  time  among  the  .Scringueiros,  investigat- 
ing tlicir  methods  and  collecting  note's  and  observations  on  all 
subjects  connected  wdth  Para  rubbei.  Having  seen  attem|)ts  made 
