7 o 
working sheds I have seen are unnecessarily dark, which with the 
dampness of the floor is a direct inducement to the moulds and 
bacteria to breed and affect the rubber. Though these moulds, and 
such things as bloodspot generally appear only after the rubber has 
been drying for a few days, it seems quite clear that they start their 
attack as soon as the latex is coagulated and probably in some cases 
get into the latex itself as soon as it is brought in. There really is no 
reason why the working sheds should not be dry, light, and airy. 
Washing sheds or coagulating sheds must necessarily be damp, but 
they can be kept clean and the rubber removed far away from them 
as quickly as possible. 
Cleanliness in Packing.- -In Gow, Wilson, and Stanton’s 
India Rubber market report, January 1 9 , 19 II, we read “Complaints 
are still being received on account of particles of wood, etc., which are 
found in some of the clean crepe. Also traces of streaky and dis- 
coloured rubber are sometimes included with fine qualities. It is 
most important that the attention of Managers should be drawn to 
these points, as they are liable to prejudice the Rubber in the market, 
an d too much care cannot be taken to insure that thoroughly clean 
and well planed wood be used for the cases.” 
This is not a new complaint, for in the early days of the rubber 
industry there were great grumbles about the dusty, dirty state of 
some rubber sent to market. However, there have been great im- 
provements in this matter of late years, and is quite a treat to see the 
packing and packed boxes most estates now. Still, it ts clear that 
there are eases in which the packing coolies are not sufficiently care- 
ful to see their boxes are clean, and it seems a pity good crepe 
should be spoilt by a little carelessness or hurry on the part ot the 
packer. 
HEVEA DISEASE IN CEYLON. 
Phytopthora Faberi Maub. 
This fungus attacks both Cacao and Para rubber. In 1 909 the 
•enewin" bark on tapped surfaces died back in some districts and 
Mack longitudi na 1 streaks appeared which extended through the bark 
into the wood. 
The diseased bark was reddish purple, often with 
lack border and in advanced cases exuded a purple brown q 
ten “d. The disease was usually discovered by ^ cession 
f latex flow sometimes all the cuts, sometimes one or two only re 
used to give latex, sometimes the canker only 
apping cuts and only cuts abo\ e it weredi> . jj 
uts those above the canker were dry, if at 
vere dry. The fungus is known as Phy top^ i seems to- 
riant which causes canker in Cacao pads anc 1 “ 
