303 
Although a large area of cultivated rubber has been planted 
out, the production of the cultivated article has only just begun, 
as is evidenced by the fact that the output of cultivated rubber 
from Ceylon and Malaya for 1907 was only approximately 1,178 
English tons. 
The unknown quantity in Hawaii is the labor question. Tap- 
ping requires in Ceylon and Malaya a man for every one to four 
acres, according to the number of trees planted per acre and the 
convenience of location of the same. 
The price of labor will also be a vital feature. In Ceylon and 
Malaya the laborer receives from twelve to thirty cents gold per 
day, while in Hawaii we are obliged to pay seventy-five cents 
to a dollar per day. 
As to the relative efficiency of the labor in the far east and 
that of the ordinary laborer in Hawaii I am of the opinion that 
for the work in collecting rubber, our labor is as efficient and will 
accomplish more, as under local conditions twenty to twenty-five 
per cent, more time will constitute a day's work. 
The Ceara tree will grow much quicker than the Hevea tree, 
but on the other hand, Hevea will yield more abundantly and 
the cost of collecting the latex will be less. Comparatively little 
attention has been given to the methods of collecting rubber from 
the Ceara variety of rubber trees as there are but a few dollars 
invested to thousands of dollars invested in Hevea plantings. 
Tapping experiments should be made as soon as possible on our 
Ceara plantings in order that more may be known before our 
trees come into bearing. There is still much to be learned 
through the experience of others in various rubber producing 
sections of the world, but, after all, we must very largely work 
out our own methods and learn for ourselves how best to meet 
our own problems, although the experience of others will always 
be of benefit. 
Hoping that the facts and figures given in this report will be 
of benefit to the rubber producers of Hawaii, I have the honor 
to remain, 
Your obedient servant, 
Fred. T. P. Waterhouse. 
