Another example of a Recently Planted Area.
In both cases it is immaterial what units are represented by the graduations—whether cubic centimetres, quarter ounces, half-ounces, or ounces, as long as the unit is not too large. It is preferable to employ a fairly small unit, so that in taking readings from young trees a wider range may be obtained between poor yields and good yields. In the case of older trees a larger unit may be taken.
The first stage in the operations is to number all trees in the field to be tested, and to prepare a rough register, with three or five vacant columns opposite each tree number.
It is not advisable to commence the record of yields until the panel of bark has been under tapping for a month or two. It is found that an intelligent coolie can be taught the method of measuring and rough recording. The latter is accomplished by means of marks made upon the virgin bark of the tree above the tapped area. The marks may be made with a tapping knife, by means of paint, or with a lead pencil. The simplest form of record consists in putting one mark for each graduation of reading.
In practice it is found that, commencing about an hour after the first tree has been tapped (in the case of young trees) and following the course taken by the tapper, the measurer of yields is able to do about 2 full tasks (650 to 750 trees) per diem. Each day progress is made through the field.
Obviously on such a small scale and utilising only one measuring coolie the comparison is restricted very much; but in any case this is immaterial as, owing to the personal equation of the tapper, comparison strictly should be limited and internal—i.e., it should really be confined to one task only at a time. In this way the worst trees in any task are indicated.
The keeping of the records may be entrusted to a field clerk, but is better placed in the hands of a European. The register is taken into the field and the rough records found on the trees are noted in the columns against the tree number.
Most planters are aware in a general way of the disparity between the yields of individual trees, but they would probably be surprised if they undertook the institution of such records.