305 
made by Professor HlilNRiQUE to effect the removal of these resins 
by chemical treatment, with alcoholic soda. 
Indian Gardening and Planting. 
March i j, ii)02. 
GUTTA RAMBONG IN MALACCA. 
In the February Bulletin No. 5, an account was given of tapping. 
Some Sh year old Rambong trees (Ficus elastica) the property of 
Mr. Tan Chav Yan, of Bukit Lintang Estate, Malacca. Mr. Tan 
Chav Van’s method of coagulating the rubber by boiling was also 
explained. Specimens of the dry rubber obtained were submitted 
to a local expert in Singapore who reported “I estimate it com- 
« mercially as a good but not quite the best quality of ordinary 
u (Borneo rubber) clean and well prepared; value r 4 5 to $160 per 
f ‘ picul.” 
A portion of the same sample was sent to Kew with a request 
that the authorities would be good enough to get it valued com- 
mercially. It was submitted to the well known experts, Messrs. 
HeCHT Lewis & Kahn, who reported as follows 11 It is well 
cured and would realize in the market from 2 s. 10 d. to 3^. per lb. 
It will thus be seen that Mr. PEAKS writes (March 26) “I have just 
received a Mincing Lane valuation of Tan Chay Van’s rubber as 
follows : — 2s. 6d. per lb. described as good clean fairly elastic and 
dry.” At the time fine Java was quoted at 3s. 7 d. and Borneo is. 8 d. 
to is. 10 d. It will be noticed that all the valuations are fairly 
approximate. The question next arises how is it that the value is 
so low especially when compared with the high one of 3s lod. paid 
for a parcel sent home EyMr. DERRY. The cause cannot be in 
the curing because the reports all speak well of the condition of 
the sample. It is probably due to the young age of the trees, the 
latex being richer in Caoutchouc when the tree has attained its maxi- 
mum growth. The fact should not be lost sight of that the two 
samples, viz., Mr. Derry’s and I an Chay Yan's were sent home 
at different dates, the first being as long ago as the end of 1899, 
and the other early this year, so that allowance must be made for 
fluctuations in price. But apart from this it would be as well for 
planters, speaking generally, to wait at least until the trees have 
attained half their maximum development before tapping. Of 
course in thinnings and prunings any rubber exuded may be 
saved, though it will probably not fetch a very high price, it will 
doubtless be saleable, and worth disposing of. 
As pointed out, however, in an article quoted irom the 1 lines ol 
Ceylon in this Bulletin, it is of the greatest importance to put good 
first class rubber into the market as the reputation of the product 
makes a great difference in the value attached to it. Hitherto 
“Straits rubber” has only been jungle rubber ( Willnghbeia) etc., 
collected carelessly by natives and naturally considered an inferior 
product. The reputation of the Straits rubber as first class ha- 
1/175* 
