, Tapping 
[ implements. 
4 The incisions were made by means of a sharp pruning knife Ta 
An ordinary carpenter’s chisel was also tried, but the knife found 
most favour with the Malays, who soon became used to the work. 
I prefer the knife to the chisel as with it a cleaner cut is made, thus 
enabling the latex to get away freely— an important point, tor it 
impeded in its flow there is the possibility of it coagulating on the 
wound, thus preventing a further flow. Nor does there appear to 
be quite the same danger of cutting into the wood as with a chisel 
and mallet, and injuring the tree. 1 have recently had a kmte 
made, fitted with adjustable blades, which will, I believe, when 
perfected, considerably reduce the cost of tapping. 
5. With a view to ascertaining what part of the trunk contains Area of trunk 
the largest amount of latex, trees were tapped at different heights, 
ranging from the base of the trunk to 6 ft. up. In almost every 
case it was found that the latex flowed most freely from the lower 
portion of the trunk. 'J'en trees were tapped on fourteen consecu- 
tive days with the following results ■ 
140 incisions from base to 3 ft. up gave 395 f oz. latex . 
J40 v 3 ft. to 6 ft. up gave 3 2 5 s •> » 
The greater exudation appears, however, to be chiefly confined 
to the first foot of the trunk, which must therefore not be neglected 
when tapping. 
6. An attempt was made to determine the best kind of incision Kinds of 
to make, and trees of the same age and dimensions, were tapped incisions, 
with vertical, oblique, and double oblique ( 11 V) incisions. 
Those tapped with the V-shaped incision generally gave the 
best return If these incisions are made above one another , and 
•connected by means of a small channel, forming what is sometimes 
known as the “ herring-bone ” incision, the collection of the latex 
is simplified, but the return was found to be less favourable than 
when Y-shaped incisions were made about 2 ft. apart and extend- 
ing over the whole area. The two lines forming the V were in 
each case 6 in. long. 
7 The different kinds of incisions, which on the first occasion R^wal °f 
were made about * inch, wide and just deep enough to cut through 
the inner layer of bark, were renewed at regular intervals. It is im- 
portant that full advantage be taken ot what is termed the 
h wound -effect,” and this experiment was conducted, with a view 
to ascertaining : 
(a) The number of times- the incision might advantageously 
be renewed ; , . . . , 
{b) The length of time that should elapse between each 
renewal. 
The renewal is accomplished by taking off a very thin layer 
from each side of the wound, and was carried on for a full month 
at regular intervals, some trees being tapped every day, others 
every second, every fourth, and every seventh day; so that while 
some trees were tapped on thirty occasions others were only 
tapped on four. The number of occasions it is advisable to renew 
