19 
It would perhaps be better in arranging the Prize Schedule tor 
future Shows, to offer at least three prizes in each class, and to ask 
the Judges to specify the number of marks gained by the 1st, 2nd and 
3rd prize Exhibits respectively, to indicate the Exhibits in their order 
of merit. It would certainly be more satisfactory to competitors, 
and also more interesting for the public, to learn the relative value 
of the different Exhibits, for instance when only one prize was 
awarded there was no means of knowing the comparative excellence 
of the next Exhibit in merit, which might possibly have been only 
slightly inferior to that gaining the first prize. The method of 
judging by points would enable one to see how the winning Exhibits 
in rubber for instance, obtained their marks, whether for strength 
and resiliency, colour, uniformity, and so on. A most instructive 
rubber Exhibit was sent by Messrs. Behn, Meyer and Company, as 
Agents, consisting of a series of long sheets which had been 
coagulated by the new coagulant called “ Purub.” The merits 
claimed for this method of preparation are its rapidity of action (the 
specimens shown had been rolled up six hours after coagulation) 
and the fact that it is a better preservative, and does not in any way 
injure the quality of the rubber. The F.M.S. Agricultural Depart- 
ment are to be congratulated on the excellent and instructive series 
of Exhibits staged by them, consisting of an Entomological Section, 
showing the noxious termites in their various forms ; specimens of 
their nests, and sections of trees riddled by them. Adjoining was 
the Mycological Section showing various plant diseases, especially 
those which attack rubber. Examples of actual trees showing bad, 
and good, methods of tapping and the results of each were on view. 
Close by were collections of fibres, oils, and a small camphor still at 
work. The next Exhibits in value to the rubber were the cocoanuts. 
These as usual were sent in vast numbers, 213 Exhibitors showing 
in one or other of the four classes ; Perak carried off most of the 
Prizes. Copra , which has been in such great demand lately, with 
steadily rising prices, and for which an improved method of prepara- 
tion has been suggested, was very well represented, and some very 
good samples were shown. The common fault, however, was noticed 
that some of the samples had been made from unripe, and others 
from badly dried, nuts. A small sample sent from Ceylon for 
comparison was of good quality, but received no award froni 
the Judges. Tapioca was well shown, and contested, the first 
prize being easily won by the Manager of Malakoff Estate. 
Cloves and Nutmegs were sent in by the Penang growers in excellent 
samples, and had no difficulty in excelling those sent from other 
places. Penang Exhibitors were also successful in another important 
Section, Paddy, in which they more than held their own. It was 
disappointing to see the few poor specimens sent from Krian District, 
where the finest rice in the Peninsula is grown, under an irrigation 
scheme carried out by Government at great expense. The other 
Exhibits such as Oils, Pepper, Arrowroot, Dragons-blood, Gambler, 
Gums, Dammar, Tree Cotton, and Coffee were all more or less good 
in quality and quantity but call for no special remarks. 
