7 
3. It is quite clear from the brokers’ report that natural coagula- 
tion affords the best results and that the only admissible artificial 
coagulating agent is acetic acid. 
4. The point, however, which it is important to. notice, is that 
Para rubber can be produced in the Straits Seltlements from ten 
years old trees, which is worth eight pence a pound more than the 
best equivalent Brazilian product. I may be permitted to feel some 
satisfaction at this result seeing that the trees which have furnished 
the rubber now reported on are the descendants of those trans- 
mitted from Kew to the Straits Settlements in 1877 ; these were 
para of the first consignment of Para rubber trees to the tropics of 
the Old World. 
5. 1 have no doubt that the Straits Settlements is now in pos- 
session of a new and important cultural industry. The facts stated 
above are therefore of sufficient importance to bring under the 
notice of the Secretary of State and to be placed on permanent 
record. Mr. Chamberlain will no doubt cause them to be com- 
municated to Mr. Stanley Arden, in official course. 
I am, etc , 
(Sd). W. T. TH 1 SELTON-DYER. 
(Copy) 
MESSRS. HECHT, LEVIS AND KAHN TO ROYAL 
BOTANIC GARDENS, KEW. 
36, Fenchurch Street, London, E.C. : 
December igth , 1902. 
Dear Sir, — We have examined the samples of Para Rubber 
from Selangor which you submitted to us. We are of course not 
chemists, and can only judge the Rubber from its elasticity, strength 
and freedom from dirt. 
With ordinary Hard Cure Fine Para worth to-day 3^. M. per lb., 
we should estimate the value of your samples as follows: — - 
No. 1 
Nos. 2 and 6 
about 4/4 per lb. 
a to 
No. 5 
No. 4 
No. 3 
No. 7 
Numbers 3 and 4 are decidedly weaker than others, and on the 
whole we think the less acid used in coagulation the better. Sam- 
ple No. r, coagulated without acid at all, is certainly the best of 
the lot. 
We remain, etc , 
HECHT, LEVIS AND KAHN. 
