35 
Of the incision tapping, the most satisfactory results, so far as 
the quantity of latex is concerned, were obtained from the spiral 
system : this gave in comparison with the total length of cuts the 
highest yield of latex. 
faking it all round however the experiments carried out with 
the excision method have been very disappointing. Trees tapped last 
year for the first time, and tapped on the same area this year gave 
only one ton of the amount of latex yielded last yea*-. This shows 
that a tree has to be given many years rest after one tapping before 
it can be profitably tapped again. 
Theie seems to me little doubt left that the incision tappping by 
means of a pricker is the right method for Funtumia trees, as there 
is comparatively little damage done to the plant and, as Dr. Christy of 
Uganda assured us, a tree can be tapped three times a year without 
showing a decrease in yield. 
Experiments were also made in connection with the preparation 
of Funtumia rubbber. 
Of cold methods, i.e., coagulation without boiling the latex, purub 
and acetic had no effect on the Funtumia latex. Good biscuits can 
be prepared by adding formalin or absolute alcohol to the latter. But 
there is no reason why the native should use expensive chemicals for 
the preparation of this rubber, as good thin biscuits can just as well 
be made by simply boiling the latex and then washing and pressing 
it. the principle thing being to boil as small a quantity of latex as 
possible at a time, so as to ensure the preparation of very thin biscuits. 
The latter are then easily dried. (Report on Forest and Agriculture 
in Southern Nigeria). 
Improvement in Quality of Rubber, 
f oreseeing that if the quality of rubber exports from Southern 
Nigeria were not improved, the rubber buyers at home would not 
only lower the price of our rubber but would also in time possibly 
lefuse to purchase it at all, the Forestry Department with a very 
limited staff commenced instructing the natives in the manufacture of 
biscuit rubber. Forest Officers instructed the natives throughout 
the whole of the Central Province, and biscuit rubber commenced to 
come in before the merchants were really prepared to buy it. But as 
the latter continued to give full prices for the lump rubber the natives 
became discouraged and gave up making the biscuits, the difference 
in price not compensating them for the extra labour. 
1 he Chamber of Commerce of Lagos was approached and it was 
suggested that an inspection fee of 2d. per pound should be placed on 
all rubber exported and the proceeds be spent in increasing the teach- 
ing staff of the Forest Department so that all the rubber tappers in 
the Protector might be instructed, and persuaded to give up making 
lump rubber. 
