^ MONTHLY. Po 
XXIII. 
COLOMBO, APRIL 1st, 1904. 
No. 10. 
THE "T. A." PRIZE ESSAYS. 
E again draw tlie attention of 
our readers to the valuable 
prizes which we are giving 
at the end of June for the 
three best essays summaris- 
ing and embodying the infor- 
mation given in our pages in 
the volume for the current 
year, July 1903 to June 1904, regarding 
NEW PRODUCTS. 
The Products excluded from these essays are 
the staple ones: Tea, Coffee, Cacao, Cardamoms, 
Cinnamon, the Palms, Sugar, and Kice. Writers 
may add in their essays any additional and illus- 
trative information they may consider wise, and so 
make the essays as comprehensive and up to date 
as possible. 
Competitors are warned against putting useless 
" padding" in[their essays, — practical, useful infor- 
mation is what is wanted ; and the Editor's 
decision must be accepted as final. The prizes are 
in value as follows ;— 
First Prize ... Rs. .300 or £20. 
Second Rs. 200 or £13 6s. Sd. 
Third „ ... Rs. 100 or £6 1.3s. id. 
When first announcing the above prizes, we made 
the rule that the essays must be sent in within 
four weeks after the issue of the June number of 
the T.A. for 1904. Not wishing, however, to handi- 
cap competitors in distant parts of the world, some 
of whom the T.A, does not reach until nearly 
three weeks after publication, we have pleasure 
in exteudiug the time limit for such. To com- 
petitors in countries other than Ceylon and India 
there will be given an extra three weeks ; thus 
their essays must reach us within seven weeks 
after the issue of the June number of the T,A, 
for 1904. 
THE PREPARATION OP INDIA 
RUBBER. 
USEFUL INFORMATION TO PLANTERS. 
various 1heth0d3 of coagulation ; straining 
and pcbifying thr latex; coagulating agents; 
rubber washing and drying. 
By Dr. C. O. Webeb. 
The qaestion of the coagulation of the rubber latex 
is one of great importance to rubber planters. Some 
hold to the opinion that no aoid agent is necessary, 
and that the natural coagulation is the beat method . 
others use a small amount of acetic acid which 
they claim is quite harmless to the resultant 
rubber as shown by the high prices realised 
in the London markets for rubber so prepai-ed ; while 
others again are in favour of the smoke system. Dr. C, 
O. Weber, a leading expert in rubber, has for some 
time been investigating the beat methods for the treat- 
ment of the latex, and has tested the conclusions 
arrived at. Samples of latex were obtained in Hevea 
and forwarded to the doctor's laboratories ; these 
were conveyed on the journey in cold storage and 
arrived in first-rate condition for experiments and tests_ 
Dr. Weber, in an article in the " India Rubber Journal" 
gives the results of his investigations, and these are 
worth the perusal of all rubber planters. 
Dr. Weber insists on the importance of planters only 
selling rubber in a condition approaching chemical 
purity ; and he dwells on the necessity of thoroughly 
washing the rubber and ridding it of all mechanical 
impurities ; such as sand, earth, bits of wood and other 
vegetable fragments, as well as resinous and albuminous 
matter. 
Ceylon rubber has already got a good position and 
name in the London market ; highest prices have been 
obtained again and again for Ceylon Para. This high 
standard of Ceylon rubber and these top prices must 
be maintained, and Ceylon rubber must keep its place 
at the top of the market. This can only be done if 
planters determine that only the best rubber shall be 
nroduced on the Ceylon estates, and that all rubber 
exported ehall be of high quality and the utmost parity 
