o 
78 
TERMITES AND RUBBER. 
Lanadron Estate, 
Muar , via Singapore , 
Straits Settlements. 
16th February , 1905. 
The Editor, 0 
The Agricultural Bulletin, 
Singapore. 
Dear Sir, — Re Termes Gestroi attacking Para Rubber when 
growing in grass (cf. your note to Mr. ROBINSON’S paper on Ter- 
mites in your December issue) ; — 
I have found numerous cases of this occurring and not only when 
the trees are surrounded by grass, but also when growing in lalang. 
Neither of these seem to be any hindrance to them, as they carry on 
their labours as vigorously as ever destroying several adjacent trees 
as they would do were the ground clear. 
e Your faithfully, 
ROGER PEARS. 
TAPPING FICUS ELASTICA. 
Lanadron Estate, 
Muar, via Singapore , 
Straits Settlements. 
1 $th February , 190 g. 
The Editor, 
The Agricultural Bulletin, 
Singapore. 
Sir, — The following method of tapping Rambong (Ficus Elastica) 
may be of interest to some of your readers : — 
A V-shaped channel is first cut in the outer bark only with an 
ordinary gouge, and at the foot of this the tin is fixed; a single deep 
cut penetrating to the wood is then made down the centre of each 
arm of the V channel, when the latex flows freely out. For making 
this latter cut an ordinary dinner knife does as well as anything as 
the blade is straight and thin. 
Using this method 8 coolies working half a day only on 4^ year 
old trees have collected sufficient latex to make 11^ lbs. ol vet bis- 
cuit which should weigh when dry about 8 lbs. Coagulation was 
brought about by boiling as recommended by Mr. Larken, 
