RUBBER PLANTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 247, 19 October 1933, Page 18

RUBBER PLANTING.

RISKS OF THE WORK. OVERSEAS LUNCH ADDRESS. The development and treatment work carried on in rubber plantations in Malaya Mere clearly described at the Overseas Club luncheon yesterday by Mr. W. N. Davidson, who has spent more than 13 years in the territory, mainly on "opening up" work. Mr. B. de Lango presided. The speaker said areas of dense virgin forest were first examined, to ascertain the suitability of the soil. The lowlying lands which might be swampy in rain must not exceed 10 per cent of the whole, and the slope of the Higher portions must not be too steep. For the sake of both the Europeans and the coolie labourers it was necessary to take extensive precautions against malarial risks. Mr. Davidson described the care with which seedlings were planted and nurtured until, in live or six years, they were ready for tapping. The sap, known as latex, was drained from a cut in the bark, and care was taken that the incision was not deeper than half an inch. Yield value was judged not on quantity of latex produced from each tree, but on the dry rubber resulting from treatment of the sap. The treatment of the rubber called for special care. Mr. Davidson provided several photographs showing the work entailed in developing plantations.