the estate. It still remains to be proved whether the rubber is stronger 
than that manufactured by the ordinary method, and Messrs. Gow, 
Wilson & Stanton Ltd. are now having it tested by manufacturers to 
determine this point, but as the process resembles in some points the 
manufacture of fine hard Para, there is reason to expect some improve- 
ment in the physical properties in addition to the other advantages 
obtained. 
In order to secure the best results from the process, the latex must 
be strained free from solid impurities, and all vessels kept perfectly 
clean. No time must be lost in putting the rubber into the hot water 
after rolling or pressing, and the sheets or biscuits must be kept separate 
and constantly moving for a sufficient length of time for the rubber to 
acquire the necessary temperature throughout. 
In all stages of the preparation the rubber must be protected from 
dust and other impurities. 
M, KELWAY BAMBER F.I.C., M.R.A.C. &C., 
C/o. Messrs. Gow, Wilson & Stanton Ltd. 13, Rood Lane, 13. C, 
With regard te the above instructions, which have been largely 
circulated from London, I found on visiting several estates that the 
process was rarely carried out properly. In several the water was 
barely lukewarm, in others, and where the correct temperature might 
have been employed to start with, it was only maintained so for a few 
seconds as the immersion of several thick sheets of cold wet rubber rap- 
idly reduced it. The rubber was rarely immersed for the correct time, 
in fact it was frequently only in the water for a few seconds. 
It is absurd to imagine that good lesults can be obtained by such 
methods, and if the process is to be successful at all, the instructions 
must be carefully and thoroughly carried out. On only one estate that 
I visited was this being done, and the result was excellent in every way 
and in no factory have I ever seen a more uniform outturn of the palest 
crepe and sheet. 
In addition to treating the sheet or crepe by this method i. e. im- 
mersion after rolling once or twice, the scrap on the trees should be 
collected immediately it has coagulated and immersed in water at 170°- 
180° F. so as to prevent darkening and it can then be rolled and manu- 
factured in the usual way. 
PRECOCITY OF RUBBER TREES. 
In a Peradeniya circular quoted in the last Bulletin p. 267, on 
germination of Para rubber seeds by Mr. Macmillan, the latter refers 
to a note on trees in Johor of 3i years old producing fruit and suggests 
that this “precocity” is undesirable. The phenomenon cannot be 
properly classed as precocity at all as the trees were fully as large as 
most five year old trees are. The trees in question were close to 
native homes and derived benefit from the household refuse cast about 
them. Precocity really means a fruiting or flowering while the plant 
is too undeveloped to produce normally, not when the tree from ex- 
ceptionally good situation and strength has attained its full development 
