3 88 
latex and thus less wasteful of bark while, besides, the natural 
tension would probably remain unaffected. 
I therefore sketched out the following pattern (Fig. I the dotted 
line representing the original vertical channel) of a modified half- 
herring-bone — I should like to say improved, but from lack of 
opportunity to test it cannot yet do so — which, if we desire to stick 
to the alphabet for tapping nomenclature, instead of a number of 
Roman Vs occupying the tree at intervals, might be described as a 
column of Greek Ys ascending the trunk — ascending because 
tapping must be done front base, upwards. 
Avery symmetrical pattern that would probably heal rapidly is 
also obtained by reversing each alternate Y. 
Having gone so far it was of course obvious that the alteration 
should be carried to its logical conclusion and thus Fig. 2 was 
obtained. 
The basis of the method is itself a very simple pattern, productive 
throughout all its length. This is a continuous regular zig-zag, 
but I am not aware that it has been experimented with in this form 
for the orthodox zig-zag seems to be two oblique cuts joined by a 
vertical, and so useless, channel. The advantage of the full pattern 
however is that the flow from the lateral projections at once forms a 
leading stream which is joined by the decending latex from each 
step above as tapped, and so obviates any likelihood of delay or 
overflow at the angles. 
I fancy that the pattern will be fpund very productive and of 
value when it is required to obtain a large amount of rubber per 
tree. The proportion of scrap will probably be small owing to the 
strong flow of latex through ut; the fluid from above helping to 
wash down that below and thus differing from the ordinary herring- 
bone where the latex in the lateral cuts soon begins to coagulate. 
From time to time various tapping patterns have been tried and 
found unsatisfactory, the single incision, for instance, and the 
Ceylon spiral which is now being regarded as hardly fulfilling all 
that was expected of it, and the above ideas will perhaps find a 
place in the same category, but as 1 am at present unable to experi- 
ment with them myself I should be glad to hear, through your 
pages, what results have been obtained by any one who thought the 
notions worthy of a trial. 
Yours sincerely, 
C. BODEN KLOSS. 
Singapore, 4 th November,, 1907. 
