THE SUPPLEMENT TO THE 



Tropical Agriculturist and Magazine of the G. A. 8. 



Compiled and Edited by A. M. & J. FERGUSON. 



No. 2,] AUGUST, 1910. [Vol. VII. 



NOTES ON RUBBER TAPPING. 



BY A PROMINENT PLANTER. 



(Special to the " Ceylon Observer." 

 Tappable Gieth, 



I believe that 18 in. at 3 ft. from the ground is 

 the lowest limit of girth that operations should 

 be commenced on trees, although it is probable 

 that trees of smaller girth but of greater age 

 have the latex cells fully formed, and would 

 produce satisfactorily; but it is necessary to have 

 somo standard to work on. 



Tapping System. 



On trees large enough to allow of a satisfac- 

 tory tapping surface, I would adopt the quar- 

 tering system; but, where the trees are too small, 

 the half spiral, changing from side to side at 

 periods when the flow of latex shows serious 

 signs of dimunition. 



Periods. 



I think this is a matter for local conditions, as 

 it should vary with the climate, but I generally 

 prefer tapping every other day. 



Variations in Yields. 



Certainly the yield during the dry months is 

 less, and the question arises of the advisability 

 of stopping when the trees are wintering. This 

 of course is possible where other employment 

 can be found for labour.— I see Mr Baxendale 

 says in the F.M.S. that for a period of 2 years 

 the highest yield per cooly and per acre was 

 when wintering was general. 



1 do not think that that will be found to be the 

 casein Ceylon; wintering here is general during 

 the dry months, but in the F.M.S. the rainfall is 

 more evenly distributed, and there are no long 

 periods without rain. There is no doubt the 

 yield is far higher here in wet than in dry 

 weather. Seeding does, 1 believe, affect the yield 

 somewhat, but only for a short time. 

 22 



The best yields are obtained for the three or 

 four months preceding the wintering stage. In 

 the wetter districts about two-thirds of the crop 

 is obtained from July to December. As regards 



YIELDS OF FIELDS PLANTED AT VARIOUS DISTANCES 



in Ceylon, I do not know of any clearings on 

 Estates far enough advanced to be in a position 

 to judge, undoubtedly closely planted fields give 

 the larger yield after the first renewal of bark, 

 and probably after the second, but I believe in 

 the long run the wider-planted areas will give 

 more satisfactory results, as it may be taken for 

 granted that the renewal of bark will bo quicker 

 and more permanent, with the advantage of more 

 light and air. I consider that not more than 100 

 trees per acre is sufficient. I, however, agree 

 with Mr Malcolm Cumming that a larger num- 

 ber can be planted on steep land than on flat. 



Renewal of Bark. 

 The first bark renews well in two years ; for 

 the second renewal I would allow three, and 

 where trees are closely planted four years. A 

 good deal of course depends on the method of 

 decorticating the bark, as if only lightly tapped 

 the renewal period is not so long. 



Number of Cuts. 



The number of cuts is, I consider, altogether a 

 matter of the knife in use, and the way the 

 cooly has been trained. I should think an ave- 

 rage of from 16—20 cuts to an inch is about 

 correct. As many cuts cannot be done over 

 renewed bark as over the original. A guarded 

 knife is considered necessary in Ceylon, as work 

 with the farriers and gouge has not been satis- 

 factory. The cause of this is said to be that in 

 Ceylon the latex cells are nearer the cambium 

 than in the F.M.S. —and consequently you have 

 to cut deeper to get the best results. 



Coolies' Task. 



This certainly varies with the age of the tree. 

 If a cooly has to collect scrap, &c, a good 



