348 



the estate. It still remains to be proved whether the rubber is stronger 

 than that manufactured by the ordinary method, and Messrs. Gow, 

 Wilson & Stanton Ltd. are now having it tested by manufacturers to 

 determine this point, but as the process resembles in some points the 

 manufacture of fine hard Para, there is reason to expect some improve- 

 ment in the physical properties in addition to the other advantages 

 obtained. 



In order to secure the best results from the process, the latex must 

 be strained free from solid impurities, and all vessels kept perfectly 

 clean. No time must be lost in putting the rubber into the hot -water 

 after rolling or pressing, and the sheets or biscuits must be kept separate 

 and constantly moving for a sufficient length of time for the rubber to 

 acquire the necessary temperature throughout. 



In all stages of the preparation the rubber must be protected from 

 dust and other impurities. 



M. Kelway Bamber f.i.c, m.k.a.c. &c., 

 C/o. Messrs. Gow, Wilson & Stanton Ltd. 13, Rood Lane, E. C. 



With regard to the above instructions, which have been largely 

 circulated from London, I found on visiting several estates that the 

 process was rarely carried out properly. In several the water was 

 barely lukewarm, in others, and where the correct temperature might 

 have been employed to start with, it was only maintained so for a few 

 seconds as the immersion of several thick sheets of cold wet rubber rap- 

 idly reduced it. The rubber was rarely immersed for the correct time, 

 in fact it was frequently only in the water for a few seconds. 



It is absurd to imagine that good lesults can be obtained by such 

 methods, and if the process is to be successful at all, the instructions 

 must be carefully and thoroughly carried out. On only one estate that 

 I visited was this being done, and the result was excellent in every way 

 and in no factory have I ever seen a more uniform outturn of the palest 

 crepe and sheet. 



In addition to treating the sheet or crepe by this method i. c. im- 

 mersion after rolling once or twice, the scrap on the trees should be 

 collected immediately it has coagulated and immersed in water at 170°- 

 180° F. so as to prevent darkening and it can then be rolled and manu- 

 factured in the usual way. 



PRECOCITY OF RUBBER TREES. 



In a Peradeniya circular quoted in the last Bulletin p. 267, on 

 germination of Para rubber seeds by Mr. Macmillan, the latter refers 

 to a note on trees in Johor of 3i years old producing fruit and suggests 

 that this "precocity" is undesirable. The phenomenon cannot be 

 properly classed as precocity at all as the trees were fully as large as 

 most five year old trees are. The trees in question were close to 

 native homes and derived benefit from the household refuse cast about 

 them. Precocity really means a fruiting or flowering while the plant 

 is too undeveloped to produce normally, not when the. tree from ex- 

 ceptionally good situation and strength has attained its full development 



