9i 
It is claimed : — 
(1) That the weight of the resulting rubber of a given volume 
of latex is increased by this process as there is no loss of 
caoutchouc which occurs when latex is treated in volume. 
(2) That it is a perfect system of coagulation, and by the 
thin accumulation of films of latex and separation of 
water in the process, coalescing is avoided, and the 
minutest component particles down to the molecule aie 
exposed to the action of smoke and smoke-curing, thus 
precluding the possibility of subsequent oxidisation. 
(3) That the inherent characteristic of Hevea latex to foul 
when in contact with another body (a spout, a funnel, 
or when flowing or dripping) has been overcome in the 
method adopted in supplying the belt by dipping outside 
the smoke area. 
(4) That the process disposes of the whole difficulty of 
fungoid attacks whether in the latex ; in drying ; in 
store; or in transit. 
(5) The keeping quality is assured, a fair sized sample one 
year old was reported by a large manufacturer “to be 
equal to fine hard Para for all practical purposes,” and 
the specimens of smoked spindles prepared by myself 
and analysed at the recent Rubber Exhibition in 
London and reported comparable to fine hard Paia, were 
three years old. 
.(6) In the arrangement of combustion, draft, filtration, and 
ventilation, wood napthaline and other impurities in the 
smoke injurious to latex are disposed of; the excessive 
water and the resulting water vapour in wood fuel is 
exhausted, and a concentrated smoke containing the 
necessary elements in a compound form is produced. 
(7) That the variation in latex, already referred to, is largely 
overcome by the method of supplying latex on a travell- 
ing belt from outside the smoke chamber, where the 
amount of latex taken up by the belt can be regulated 
by the adjustable feed pans so as to ensure consistent 
separation of water and the action of smoke. The 
variable consistency of latex is disposed of and the resul- 
ting rubber is of a standard form. 
(8) Finally a standard rubber which will keep for years and 
prove superior in the vulcanizing process, the real test, 
to any other Plantation Rubber. 
R. DERRY, 
Botanic Gardens, Singapore 
