June 1, 1904.] THE TROPICAL 
AGRICULTURIST. 
801 
the perpendicular, then a vertical out of 2 inches, 
and then another G inches cut .parallel) to the first. 
A series of these cats is made down the tree, the 
initial point of each cut being on a level v/ah the 
DIAGEAM SHOWING METHODS OF TAPPING 
HE9EA BEZAILIEN8IS. 
final point of the cut above. For the second day's 
tapping a fresh cut is not made but the lower 
side of each 6 inch cut, is simply pared with a gouge. 
By those who use it this method is greatly re- 
commended, and the results obtained certainly seem 
^ood. This paring of the lower side of the cut, 
instead of a new incision, misht well be extended 
to other methods of tapping also, and seems to be 
economical in taxing the bark-reuewing resources 
of the tree, while the flow of latex from the pared 
portion is lirst-rato. On the accompanying diagram 
(which is) not exactly drawn to scale), the various 
methods of tapping referred to are represented; and 
also a system highly recommended by Mons Collet. 
This is a series of cuts in four, each about 1 inches 
long; the first set is cut one day, the next a little 
distance below, followed by more series until the 
base of the tapping area is reached, then another 
series of forms is begun parallel to the first one, and 
80 on (see A in fig.). For this method the new " U,C." 
(»ppiog tool is specially asefal (referred to elsewhere), 
COLLECTING THE LATEX, 
The tapping of the trees and collecting tlis latex is 
carried out each morning and evening; early in the 
morning before the sun's rays are at all fierce, and in 
the late afternoon when the sun is low down on the 
horizon, as the latex flows very slowly during the heat 
of the day. The coolies go out to the plantations 
in couples ;one man carries a large tin to hold the latex 
when collected and the tapping cups, and the second 
man does the tapping. Bach pair of coolies does about 
forty trees, and by the time the last tree -is tapped 
and the cups placed the first tree has almost run 
dry and the cups are ready to be collected. The 
coolies then go through the plantation again taking 
out the cups and pouring the latex all together into 
the large receiver. All the latex having been poured 
into this, a bunch of hevea leaves is stuffed into the 
top to prevent the latex being jerked out as the 
oooly walfci, and he returns to the factory with the 
morning's or evening's collection, as the case may 
be. The flow of latex differs in difierent aged trees 
and varies according to the season of the year both in 
quantity and quality. In the rainy season the latex 
is more watery, and from this watery latex the result- 
ing biscuts are not so clear and have a dirtier, 
somewhat mottled appearance. 
From more recent information I think it would 
be to the planters' advantage to carefially separate 
the latex of various aged trees, and not let the milk 
from young trees just come into tapping be mixed with 
that from maturer trees. Manufacturers certainly 
recommend this ; they say that indiscriminate mixing 
of the latex leads to irrregularity of quality in the 
rubier, and a downfall in price is sure to result 
if this is the case. Even if more labour and trouble 
is necessitated it is worth it to keep up the standard 
of the rubber. 
STRAINING THE LATEX. 
The latex having arrived at the factory it is care- 
fully strained through a fine hair-sieve or strainer, and 
then placed in shallow pans to coagulate. The strain- 
ing is important and should be thoroughly done to 
remove all foreign particles which would mar the 
translucent appearance of the biscuits. The milk 
having been strained, the coagulating agent is added, 
if any coagulant is being used. To a large pan of 
milk holding several quarts two spoonfuls, about 
2 fluid oz. of acetic, are added and stirred in. I 
already stated that I think the use of a little 
acid is to Be recommended, it is time-saving and 
gives a better appearance to the rubber which coagu- 
lates quicker than if left to do so naturally. The 
quicker coagulated rubber has a paler, clearer appear- 
ance, and 1 notice in the weekly London Sales, 
reported in the Ceylon Observer, that pale biscuits 
almost invariably get from id. to IJd. per lb. more than 
darh biscuits. So far as I can see everything points 
in favour of the moderate use of acetic acid. Of 
smoked Para I have seen little, so cannot speak 
from experience, but the process seems more trouble- 
some, longer, and not nearly so clean a method as 
the use of acid. When the acid has been stirred into 
the latex the latier is poured out into the coagu- 
lating pans, shallow enamelled pans, about 7 or 8 
inches across and 2 inches in depth. By the time 
the morning's collection of latex is put out in pans 
to coagulate the previous evening's gathering is 
coagulated, and the next process can be carried out. 
• ROLLING THE BISCUITS. 
The coagulated biscuit in the pan looks like a mass 
of pure white curd, and is soft and impressionable 
to the toucli. It floats in the pan in the surplus 
water left after coagulation ; if this remaining water 
has a somewhat miiky appearance the contents of 
the pans may bo put together and treated with a 
little extra acid when the remaining rubber globules 
will coagulate ; if thoroughly coagulated, however, 
the water left in the pans will be quite clear aud 
ree of any rubber. 
