Gums, Resins, 



12 



gradually from nothing to the required amount. In Mr. Carruthers' machine this is 

 achieved by pouring a fine stream of quartz sand into a receiver attached to the 

 rubber being tested. The rubber is first carefully measured between two marks ; 

 then the required strain is applied, and a second measurement, shewing the amount 

 of stetching, is taken. 



After the strain has been removed, a third reading is taken to shew the recoil 

 of the rubber, which, in the best products, should not be far from the original 

 measurement. The whole apparatus is enclosed in a copper case "with a glass door 

 and a -water bath below, in order to keep therubber at a constant temperature, so that 

 comparative tests may be made. The measurements are taken by sliding pointers 

 moved by handles from ihe outside and running on a scale graduated to millimetres 

 and tenths of an inch. A large number of rubbers will be tested so as to show the 

 relative physical properties of old and new, of rubber chemically pure, and of that 

 containing small proportions of resin. — Malay Mail. 



Rubber Tapping. 



TAPPING RESULTS IN SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS. 



Messrs. H. N. Ridley and R. Deny have just compiled their report on the 

 experimental tapping of Para rubber trees in the Botanic Gardens for 1904, which 

 has been delayed for the reason that of all the rubber obtained in that year the 

 sales took place in 1905, and not until 28th October was the result of the last 

 sale received. A sum of $1,200 had been voted by the Legislative Council for 

 this tapping of the rubber trees at the Gardens ; 880 were tapped and 884£ lb. 

 of dry rubber was obtained. When sent Home in four lots for sale it realised 

 $2,410. The largest price got was 0/9jd. After reviewing the experiments and 

 commenting upon the relative value of close and open planting, the reporters 

 say in conclusion : — 



Much remains to be done in connection with rubber. Improved methods of 

 tapping will naturally evolve. The great problem, however, is to bring the dried 

 rubber produced in the Straits up to the standard of best Para, and the difficulty 

 we suspect is the same as in the case of gambier or copra, and lies in combating 

 the excessive humidity of the country. Washed rubber no doubt is an economical 

 and expeditious method ; but we fail to see that any improvement in the 

 texture of the rubber is likely to result in the future over the present by this process, 

 for little could be done in this direction, as unfortunately the market does not 

 assist experimental work and only recognises one class of rubber, and prices 

 are high or low as the rubber compares or approaches the approved class. 

 Now, however, as the Government Analyst will be prepared to test samples, 

 experiments will also be made in different methods of drying.— Straits Times. 



A REVOLUTION IN THE RUBBER TRADE. 



THE DIRECT EXPORT OP LATEX TO EUROPE. 



Our technical contemporary, the India Rubber Journal (October and 

 Noveniber), gives a special translation of a report by the. French Dr. Morisse, 

 entitled " La Revolution de lTndustrie du Caoutchouc," the major portion of which 

 we quote here :— 



We, ourselves, naturally take no responsibility for the statements made 

 in this lengthy and eloquent pamphlet, contenting ourselves by satisfying the 



