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Discussion. 
Mr, Pinching "asked Mr. Souter what he meant by standard 
latex, 
Mr. Souter explained that he meant the standard that he was 
accustomed to in his factory. 
Mr. Eaton, in reply to Mr. Pinching, explained the need for 
managers to carry out investigations into the latex standards of their 
estates, and also replied to certain questions asked by Mr. Malet in 
regard to the influence on rubber of dampness in the factory. 
Mr. Irving said that, apart from the minor points raised so far, 
Mr. Eaton’s paper was of prime importance in regard to the valuable 
information he had given them regarding what he called “slab 
rubber.” He asked whether any steps had been taken to ascertain 
the views of manufacturers on the matter. 
Mr. Eaton replied that they had taken no definite steps because 
manufacturers at Home were at present very busy in regard to war 
work and could not be induced to deal with matters of that kind till 
after the war. But American manufacturers had always taken 
interest in such things and a few of those engaged in the industry 
here had even tried the method he had explained. He stated that 
about half a ton of that rubber in the form of crepe had already been 
forwarded to one of the best known rubber manufacturers in 
America for their opinion but so far nothing had yet been heard in 
reply. He also understood the American General Rubber Company 
was seizing forward rubber of this kind to their own rubber 
factories in America. A further point he wished to emphasize in 
regard to his previous remarks in the paper was that, as the rubber 
he had mentioned usually required rewashing, it could be packed in 
gunny bags, which would mean an additional saving in cost. 
According to experiments which he had recently carried out, the 
best method of preparing “ virgin slab ” was to hot air dry it at about 
120° to 130° F. 
A member asked whether the General Rubber Company’s 
product was in “ slab ” or crepe. 
Mr. Eaton said he believed it was “ slabs ” f inch thick. 
