80 
COAGULATION PEOBLEMS. 
''The most interesting problems to be solved in the future 
of rubber planting, are those in connection with improved 
methods of coagulating the latex arid curing the rubber, and 
those bearing upon the possible relation of fertilizers to the 
latex yield. 
''Not only have tapping knives been invented and success- 
fully used, that we have never seen and probably have never 
heard of, but several machines and processes have been in- 
vented for smoking either the latex or the rubber. Smoked 
plantation rubber is quoted at about ten cents per pound 
higher than the best unsmoked. This additional ten cents 
per pound may some time mean to us the difference between 
profits and no profits, and in any case will mean additional 
income at comparatively little cost. Besides this, the first 
factory is just being planned, and for this alone two machines 
which are unquestfonably essential have been ordered — a 
washing machine and drying apparatus. To equip this fac- 
tory to the very best advantage, it will not be sufficient to 
have observed one or two successful factories in operation ; 
one should know all the improvements that have been made 
since these successful factories were erected. 
ALL EXPERIMENTAL. 
''The making of rubber plantation machinery is in its in- 
fancy, and for that reason every advance is likely to be a big 
advance. Our factories, when built, should be of the highest 
possible efficiency, for only by the use of machinery in its 
highest point of efficiency and economy can we hope to over- 
come the handicap under which we are placed by local labor 
conditions. It would be folly to sit at home and hope we may 
start at the beginning and work out the problems that others 
have already gone far in solving. We should learn all the 
others know and then improve on their accomplishments. For 
this reason I believe this association, if this is the proper me- 
dium for joint action by all the plantations and planters, 
should send some one to the London exhibition next summer. 
Here all the rubber machinery in the world will be repre- 
sented, and especially the products of English manufacturers 
who have for several years specialized in plantation machin- 
ery. These will not only be exhibited, but demonstrated, and 
no better opportunity could possibly be offered, or more time- 
ly for us. 
"It seems to me we should send some one familiar with the 
problems here, who can adapt to our local conditions what he 
learns from the discussions and exhibits there. He can there 
obtain the best the world affords in tools for tapping and 
