years, there would not be much difference in the gross result, 
then there would be double the number of trees to the acre. 
The following figures on three samples accurately weighed are 
interesting as shewing the difference in weight between freshly 
collected latex and dry marketable rubber: — 
Sample. 
Fresh latex 
Tare of 
Dry 
Rubber. 
Difference. 
gross. 
Tins. 
OZS. 
OZS. 
OZS. 
OZS. 
1 
... 3 0i 
... 6 
13 
Ill 
2 
... 61 
13 
9f 
5 
... 29 
... 6 
III 
ill 
Hevea 
Braziliensis 
IN 
Perak. 
At Kuala Kangsar there are two well marked varieties of Hcvea, 
(i) the typical tree with large leaves attaining 13 inches long and 
5 inches wide and generally branching low down ; (2) smaller 
leaves, tall trunk and smaller rather pointed seeds, an inferior 
variety. The largest tree at Kuala Kangsar is 18 years old and 
has a girth of 8 feet 6 inches at 3 feet from the ground, this is 
larger than any observed by Cross in Brazil.* Some trees planted 
by myself 3 years ago have now a girth of 1 foot 3I inches at 3 feet 
from th-e ground. Hevca trees have a short resting season, shed- 
ding their leaves about the end of February, its new growth com- 
mencing with flowers followed by leaves. It is not uncommon, 
however, to see trees in September, half or many branches dor- 
mant, and without a leaf, while other parts are covered with ver- 
dant foliage. The seeds from March flowers commence ripening 
in August, those from September flowers in February, the heavier 
crop being in August. Here Hevea trees are planted on dry 
ground and also low swampy ground. I have not observed any 
difference in yield of latex, but l would not recommend land which 
is liable to heavy floods. 
Tapping . — I consider the latex flows most freely when ihe new 
leaves appear, which with most Hevea trees is about March, and 
the advantage of tapping about that time is not so much a question 
of actual yield as it is of the amount of bark removed in the opera- 
tion, which would be less at the best season. There would also be 
another season commencing in September with those trees then 
flowering. As with all trees, the ratio of growth is variable at 
different periods, but taking the girth of Hevea trees here, a 3 year 
old tree at 3 feet from the ground being 13-15 inches, and an iS 
year old tree IOO inches, the annual increment would average near- 
ly 6 inches in circumference and 1 am sanguine that Hevea trees 
can be tapped in Malaya when 6 years old, if not earlier, when 1 
estimate the girth at 24-30 inches on good free soil.t Tapping 
should be commenced at the base of the tree, working upwards to 
6 or 8 feet if necessary, and if a tree be operated on in a work- 
manlike manner three annual tappings could be executed before 
going over old incisions. 
* Vide. — Cross’ report 1897 io India Office. 
f In his report to the India Office Cross mentioned that Hevea trees of 6 — 8 in- 
ches diameter are tapped in Brazil. 
