nstantly being received for advice as to what the various percentages of each grade of rubber should be. This is a question to which no definite list of figures can apply. There are so many litt

ubber is not regularly collected the percentages of the best grades are higher than they should be. In comparing the percentages of each grade of rubber from any two estates, therefore, one should have all the information possible as to

ex 75 per cent.

ades 20

ularly. The distribution of the lower grades will depend upon the field practices of the particular es

e latex 75

shings

ted lum

-scr

shavi

rubb

0

he nature of the land, which at present would render the attainment of more than 75 per cent. first-grade rubber impossible on some estates. Still the fact remains that if the percentage is low through distance of transport, etc., some method will have to be discovered by means of whic

tion of latex. It will be seen that this ordinarily would depend, in turn, upon such considerations as the size of the tappers' tasks, the spacing of the trees, and the natural conformation of the

. Where distance renders these methods too costly in time and labour, it is usual to have field centres where the latex is collected and dispatched to the factory generally (a) by means of vessels conveyed on light railw

a trolley-line, as great agitation of the latex is

s country, the jolting undergone by the latex is, to say the least, not calculated to afford a high yield of first-grade rubber. The late Mr. F. W.

charge to see that vessels are not allowed to remain in the sun longer than is ne

care as would be exercised in dealing with milk cans in other countries. Ordinary sluicing with water is not sufficient, and if they cannot be s

rt vessels. Either formalin or sodium sulphite is of service, but the great objection advanced against the former is its loss due to ev

of Sodium Sulphi

und of powder in

lf a gallon in the vessel for

es it is an easy matter for coolies to carry the latex to the factory, but on larger estates many difficulties may arise, which may also militate

estates, which are efficiently controlled, the scheme has been highly successful from all points of view. On the other hand, it is alleged that this method of working increases costs, and often gives an unsatisfactory quality of rubber. Concerning the latter point it seems to be reasonable to expect that the European in charge of any division should be conversant wit

e nearest available source. This meant that, as the coolies were on daily wage, the force appeared to be much bigger than that usually required. In other cases there were too many store coolies, when often the place of some could have been taken for the necessary period by tappers arriving early from the nearer fields. Sometimes costs were increased by reason of the use of an e

he writer would always favour the latter, for reasons which have possibly been made clear in the preceding paragraphs.

has been conveyed on the floor of a bullock-cart, or motor-lorry, previously used in the carriage of other materials. Unless the boards have been most scrupulously cleansed, the coagulum is found to be contaminated, often to a marked degree. Again, although the cart may be clean, it may have to travel some distance on roads carrying a fair amount of motor traffic. Even should the cart have a canopy, road-dust is often whirled through the open sides of the cart; and i

ted and prepared at the central factory. If the flat pieces of coagulum are placed in piles of any height it is common to find, on arrival at the factory, that much adhesion has been caused. There is great difficulty in separating the

the employment of only light machines suitable for hand-power, is a feasible proposition in a field station. There is no reason for sheets made thus to be i

eet-coagulum, every possible precaution

s to have a number of shallow trays subdivided so that each compartment held one sheet only. If these trays were properly made and carefully fitted there appeared to be no reason why they should not form sliding parts of a large box, in which squ

RT

Y OPER