56 



are probably under 20 years. Incisions were made in the bark of the 

 trunks, branches, and a large root, but nearly the whole of the milk 

 secured was obtained from the trunk of the oldest tree. 



When any portion of the bark is injured the milk appears im- 

 mediately, but in the case of the younger trees the flow ceases quickly, 

 and a fresh wound has to be made, and in the older trees also the milk 

 ceases to flow a couple of minutes after the bark has been cut. 



Methods adopted in collecting : — A number of small tins were provided, 

 and after making a perpendicular cut in the bark, with one or several 

 slanting cuts leading to this from each side, a tin was inserted in the 

 bark below the central incision, as we hoped the flow of milk would be 

 copious, but in this we were disappointed, as already mentioned in the 

 ease of the younger trees, the flow ceased quickly, the milk merely filling 

 up the cuts made by the knife, but in the older trees by keeping the 

 cuts clean and not allowing the milk time to coagulate, the period of 

 exudation was somewhat prolonged, but in neither case was it sufficient 

 to cause the milk to flow into the tins and it had to be scraped off with 

 the blade of a knife. This, of course, is a tedious process, and the 

 amount of rubber obtained would not cover the cost of labour. 



The milk glands were found to be chiefly at ^ to J of an inch below 

 the surface of the bark. 



Preparation of the Rubber. — The following method was adopted in 

 the preparation of the rubber : The milk collected was kept in the tins 

 till the following day, when it was found to have become somewhat 

 glutinous, the water contained in it having partly evaporated during 

 the previous night. To hasten this process some boiling water was 

 poured over it ; the milk mixed readily with the boiling water and thus 

 was easily obtained from the tins ; then a portion of the mixture was 

 poured into saucers and these were put on the top of a heated cooking 

 stove, and the mixture kept stirred, when the water soon evaporated 

 and the milk coagulated, and when it was of the consistency of putty 

 used for glazing, was removed from the saucers and allowed to cool 

 and harden. 



Plants distributed. — The number of plants sold during the year 

 amounted to 992 ; and of Tree Tomato fruits 457 dozens, weighing 

 782 lbs. 



The numbers and quantities are as follows : — 



Sold. 



Economic plants (including Fruit) ... 36 



Ornamental ... ... 956 



Free Grants. 



Economic — 



Eucalypti ... ... 359 



Strawberries ... 91 



Blue Mountain Coffee . . . 1,000 



Miscellaneous ... 39 

 Ornamental — 



Various ... ... 692 



Total Economic plants distributed ... 1,525 



Total Ornamental plants distributed ... 1,648 



Total number of plants distributed ... 3,173 



