544 



paring rubber for the market and for cleaning "scrap," "bark" and 

 "earth" rubber is one of the most important in the profitable working 

 of an estate. 



Dr. Kuhleman, Chemical Adviser to one of the largest rubber 

 manufactories in Germany, paid a visit recently to this country to 

 acquaint himself with the methods of the planter in his preparation of 

 rubber. He was impressed by the care which is universally taken to 

 ensure the purity and cleanliness of the rubber sent home. 



In asking his advice upon the plant used by the planter. 

 Dr. Kuhleman informed me that one point which he noted was, that the 

 washers and rollers, in use on estates were so short in length. This was 

 the case in the begining of the manufactories in Germany. Machines 

 with narrow rollers were at first put up and then when these could not 

 deal with the amount of rubber required more were added, but it was 

 soon found more economical to have one roller of 10 feet long than five 

 of 2 feet. It will be well that planters should in making arrangements 

 for their rollers and washers look ahead to the time when they are 

 producing much larger quantities of rubber than at present. The 

 machines at present in use are, for dealing with a large quantity of 

 rubber, mere toys, and will either have to be multiplied or larger 

 machines put in. 



The longer roller has an advantage over the short ones at present 

 in use that the risk of oil from the bearing reaching the rubber as it 

 passes through the rollers is decreased. Kubber prepared in a number 

 of small-length machines will be in more danger of being discoloured at 

 places than that prepared in fewer and longer rollers. 



The length of rollers in rubber-washing machines used in factories 

 in Europe is often 12 feet, whereas, as a rule on estates in the Federated 

 Malay States two or more rollers of not more than a foot in length are 

 often used. 



Preparation op Rubber~for the Market. 



Block rubber, the advantages of which for packing, transport and 

 preservation are undoubted, has not commended itself generally to the 

 planter. Until large quantities of any of the forms of rubber produced 

 in Malaya, viz., block, crepe and sheet, are put on the market, it will not 

 be possible to settle the much-vexed question as to the advantages of 

 each. A sale at a high price of a shipment of any of these forms at 

 once produces the impression that that special form is more attractive 

 to buyers and will command better prices, but it should be remembered 

 that the quality of the rubber as well as the shape in which it is sent is 

 a factor, and the most important factor, in determining its market value. 

 In whatever form it is sent it is of the most vital importance that 

 planters should continue to aim at the purest and cleanest rubber. 

 The manufacturers have begun to realise the advantages of the freedom 

 from impurities which Eastern plantation rubber possesses, and this 

 good opinion is too valuable to be endangered by using less care in 

 preparation. 



Rubber Seed for Oil Manufacturing Purposes. 



Rubber seed, both with the huskon and decorticated, has been 

 sent to the Imperial Institute and to various commercial firms dealing 



