go 
collecting basin. It can be immediately treated by washing, and pre- 
pared in any desired grade. Such smoke coagulated rubber would 
surpass any plantation rubber that has yet reached the market. In 
this latter instance a belt two feet wide would be practicable, in the 
former instance an one foot belt is considered more serviceable. 
34. Whether it is better to add some water in the collecting cups, 
as is done for latex intended to be acid-coagulated, I am not able to say 
without further observation, but I am inclined to think that the addi- 
tion of water helps to eliminate resin. The best fine hard Para' 
contains 15% of moisture on arrival in European markets when it is 
probably one year old, so that the addition of some water, which is 
expressed within a few hours, is not abnormal. It is very important, 
however, that the density of latex be taken into consideration. In the 
dormant or wintering season, mid-January to mid-March, latex 
reaches its greatest density. With the appearance of flowers, and, as 
the leaves mature, all the functions of the tree are most active and the 
consistency of latex changes with the higher percentage of water. At 
such a time additional wnter may be superfluous, and also on rainy 
days or following continuous rain storms when the ground is saturated. 
Supposing the wintering season to have been normal and the trees to 
have conformed to their period of defoliation, the best tapping months 
are from May to November during which time (exclusive of excep- 
tional weather) latex may be of a fair average density and vice versa 
when the seasons have not been favourable. 
35. The value, too, of commencing tapping at break of day — with 
the first streak of dawn should not be overlooked. It cannot be too well 
known that on warm dry days, Hevea trees contract, through exhala- 
tion of moisture, as the day advances, and the tension pressure which 
sustains the flow of latex is pai*tial only, and the loss of first latex from 
coalescence increases. 
36. It should not be overlooked that latex travels best when 
strained. Lumps or clot left in latex produce natural coalescence, 
even the smallest particle of clot or foreign matter furnishes a 
tendency for latex to flock, some days more than others. 
It is suggested : — - 
(1) That additional drying houses could be supplied with 
smoke from the smoke-chamber furnaces and that the 
smoke be applied by piping perforated underneath which 
should be received in a filter trough before dispersing,, 
care being taken that the fuel is dry. By this system 
of applying smoke uniform results can be obtained. 
The drying house would only require slight ventilation' 
during smoking and additional ventilation at other times.. 
A few days’ smoking would suffice. 
(2) That the process under review' could be carried out in 
existing or central factories, and is also adapted for 
decentralised factories with hand or motor power, or 
portable buildings. 
