Effects upon Renewed Bark of Previous Tapping.
Note uneven surface and callosities.
Water in Cups.—Much discussion used to take place regarding the necessity or otherwise for placing a small quantity of water in the cups when tapping. It was recognised that the permission to use water (with the idea of preventing coagulation) led to much abuse, apart from the question as to the utility of the method. Dirty water was often used, although clean water may have been placed in the buckets when coolies left the muster-ground. The small quantity of water often exceeded the actual yield of pure latex by hundreds per cent., with the result that on arrival at the factory the diluted latex was below the standard desirable for the preparation of a good sheet-rubber.
Another Example Showing the Effects of Previous
Tapping.
Premature Coagulation.—Other opinion to the contrary it is now generally acknowledged that the possibility of premature coagulation in the cup or bucket is at least not diminished by the addition of even clean water. The use of water often obtained from estate drains clearly led to increased trouble. The extent to which such premature coagulation takes place varies greatly under the influence of many factors—e.g.:
(a) Cleanliness of cups and spouts (the latter an important item often overlooked, and involving the presence of certain organisms which effect coagulation).
(b) Climatic conditions.
(c) Rate and volume of flow of latex.