395 
Rubber  Preparation  in  the  Botanic  Gardens, 
Singapore. 
Plates  VIII  & IX. 
VVe  give  with  this  number  two  photographs  showing  ths  method 
of  preparation  of  Para  rubber  in  the  Botanic  Gardens.  Plate  VIII 
shows  the  shed  with  table  on  which  are  the  enamel  plates  for 
holding  the  latex,  a muslin  strainer  on  a rattan  frame  and  acetic 
acid  bottle.  In  front  of  Mr.  Machado  standing  up,  is  the  mangle 
through  which  the  rubber  cakes  are  passed  when  set  to  press  them 
and  on  the  back  of  the  seat  is  the  rubber  drying  and  ready  for 
smoking.  Plate  IX  shows  a Javanese  holding  the  rubber  collected 
from  100  trees, In  the  morning.  The  tree  behind  him  is  one  of  the 
biggest  Para  rubber  trees  in  the  gardens,  planted  in  1884. 
B\"  an  accident  the  two  last  plates  were  numbered  13  8:  14  in- 
stead of  6 8:  7. 
PARA  RUBBER  FROM  THE  BOTANIC 
GARDENS. 
New  York, 
September  30th,  igoj, 
H.  N.  Ridley,  Esq,.  ^ 
Director,  Botanic  Gardens, 
Singapore,  Straits  Settlements. 
My  Dear  .Sir: — ^-Yours  of  July  29th,  was  duly  received,  enclosing 
samples  of  rubber  from  the  latex  of  the  Hevea  Braziliensis.  I would 
say,  that  I have  not  had  the  product  analysed  because  as  far  as 
manufacturers  go  the  analysis  means  nothing  to  them.  I have, 
however,  had  it  subjected  to  physical  tests  and  have  secured  expert 
opinion  regarding  it.  I would  say,  that  the  rubber  is,  as  far  as  I 
can  see,  equal  to  washed  and  dried  fine  Para  of  the  best  quality. 
It  is  exceedingly  tough  and  as  it  has  a very  small  percentage  of 
moisture  and  no  foreign  matter  in  it,  it  would  bring  a higher  price 
than  the  best  crude  Para  now  on  the  market.  Were  the  rubber  to 
be  shipped  in  quantity  I would  suggest,  that  instead  of  sending  it 
in  thin  sheets,  these  sheets  be  pressed  into  blocks,  and  thus  avoid 
the  rapid  oxidation  which  would  otherwise  set  in. 
I want  to  thank  you  for  sending  me  these  samples  as  the  matter 
is  one  in  which  I am  very  much  interested. 
Yours  faithfully, 
HENRY  C.  PE./VRSON, 
Editor  India  RuhherWortd S' 
