_OTHER BUILDINGS (continued) AND SITUATION OF BUILDINGS_ SORTING-ROOM AND PACKING-ROOM.--It is in these departments that most factory installations are lacking. More often than one cares to acknowledge, sorting and packing are done under conditions which place a premium upon poor work. As a consequence, consignments of rubber are often marred by the inclusion of defective specimens. The result is that shipments may be rejected when tendered against contracts, or that allowances in price have to be made. In many instances it would not be fair to lay the blame upon the manager or an assistant, as it is obviously impossible for an individual to inspect every piece of rubber. Neither would it be strictly fair in some cases to ascribe the fault to pure carelessness on the part of the coolies. Often the only provision made for this important work is the lower room of a drying-shed, which may also contain hanging rubber. Under these circumstances, space is cramped, and the light often poor. Small defects may pass unnoticed, and the general surroundings do not conduce to keen work. Where, for economic reasons, the sorting and packing operations are conducted in the drying-shed, there should be ample space free from hanging rubber, and it should not be possible for wet rubber placed in the upper room to drip upon the dry rubber below or upon packed cases. There should be plenty of light, and for this reason windows should be ample. Usually the window-frames are fitted with wooden shutters, which are preferably hung on horizontal hinges from the top of the frame. By this device it is not necessary to close all windows during a shower of rain, and rubber may be stacked near a window with reasonable chance that direct sunlight will not be allowed to fall upon it. In dealing with smoked sheet, it is advised that the rubber to be examined should be placed upon tables facing the windows, so that each piece may be scrutinised in a strong light. Crepe rubber also is best examined in a strong light, but preferably with one's back towards the source of light or at an angle to it. For this work coolies usually are most efficient when sitting on the floor. It will be clear from the foregoing remarks that the best conditions would be secured in a separate building especially constructed. A single room would be all that is required; at one end sorting could be undertaken, while packing could be done at the other end. No hanging rubber should be allowed in the room. The floor should be of hard timber, and raised from the ground, to the height approximately of a bullock-cart or motor-lorry, as the case may be. The boxes of rubber could thus be transported by small hand-trucks on a level with the transport vehicle, reducing labour to the minimum. The ventilation of the building should be good, especially if cases of rubber are to be stored therein; and the entire structure should be weather-proof.