There are various difficulties attending the treatment 
of Ficus in regard to pruning it or allowing it to form its 
aerial roots unchecked, in relation to tapping and prevent- 
hie of entrance of boring insects and fungi into the wounds , 
also the direction and shape of the branches and stems 
make the collection of latex no easy matter The yields of 
dry rubber from rambong are larger than from Para and 
market prices excellent. The symmetrical stem of the 
p ar a, the facilities for running the latex into the single cup 
at tlie base of the tree, regularity of its growth and its re- 
action to a wound, have especially commended this tree to 
the rubber grower/so that rambong is no longer considered 
as an alternative on equal terms, and no further estates 
have been planted with the native plant. P rom a practical 
planter’s point of view this choice must perhaps be con- 
sidered wise, but it is to be regretted that a tree yielding so 
well and suited to local conditions should have been entirely 
abandoned. . , 
1 have been carrying on experiments tor some two 
years past in regard to' the proper methods and instruments 
for tapping Ficus elastica (Rambong), and consider that 
a rotary pricker in which the pins are at such a distance 
apart that the latex which runs from the puncture joins mat 
from those adjoining is a more practical way of extracting 
the latex than the making of a cut with a knile. it the 
rubber which flows from the various punctures made with 
the roller pricker all over the surface of the stem and 
branches is pulled off directly it has coagulated it will be 
found that the flow will occur again and a second crepe-like 
film of coagulated latex can be pulled oft. 1 lie absence oi 
wound iirevents tl\e attack of borers and the tree can be 
again pricked after a short time has elapsed. -W hen the 
flow from the punctures is too great to allow of it coagulat- 
ing and it runs down, it can be caught at the base of the 
tree by means of a rubber hand or a metal ledge round the 
tree to lead the latex into a cup or other receptacle. 
If a flow of latex is preferred to the crepe-1 ike scrap 
1 have described, then an application of water by a brush 
or spray will run the latex down to the base ot the tree 
where it can be caught. 
These questions are, however, becoming ot minor im- 
portance in the Federated Malay States, as the passing ot 
Ficus elastica has begun, and each year sees less ot this 
interesting and profitable tree cultivated. On some estates 
the trees are being actually cut out to make way tor its more 
desired rival, Para. 
