DA COSTA PROCESS.--Briefly, this was a method by which coagulation was effected with smoke. The smoke was generated by the combustion of wood in a special compartment, and was forced into latex by means of a jet of steam. It was really only applied to the preparation of coagulum intended for crepe form. The exact degree of coagulation effected was uncertain, and the final colour of the rubber precluded it from being classed as a modern No. 1 product. "BYRNE CURING" PROCESS.--This is a process for treating coagulum obtained by ordinary methods. It was the subject of a patent obtained by Messrs. E. J. and F. A. Byrne, and at one time had a considerable vogue on estates. The chief claim advanced was that the rubber produced was in all respects equal to Fine Hard Para, and could be shipped while still moist without detriment to the physical qualities. The principle of the process was the treatment of coagulum, in either sheet or thick crepe form, with vapours produced by the volatilisation of two special fluids. This treatment was undertaken in comparatively small wooden sheds, in which the coagulum was placed. The "smoke" was conducted into the curing sheds from furnaces outside the building. The sheds were covered externally with "felt" material to prevent leakage of the vapours, and a very dense smoke was obtained. The furnaces were specially designed, and consisted essentially of a "hot-plate" heated by a powerful kerosene blast-flame. On top of the machine were two reservoirs controlled by taps. In these were placed the special fluids which were released in definite proportion. The composition of the fluids was not divulged, but it is assumed that the principal ingredients were (_a_) wood tar products, (_b_) crude pyroligneous or acetic acid. The mixture of these, dropping on the hot plate at the correct temperature, spontaneously volatilised, to form dense whitish fumes, having an intense and not disagreeable odour of wood combustion. A duct led from the back of the machine into the curing-shed, where the vapours were distributed through perforations in the pipe. The coagulum usually remained under treatment in the shed for three to four hours, and then was removed for ordinary air-drying. When taken from the curing-shed it had a pinkish colour, which later developed into a dark brown by a natural process of oxidation. The exterior of the rubber, on shipment, resembled the appearance of smoked sheets; while the interior, on cutting, was seen to be still white. As packed for shipping, the rubber contained from 10 to 15 per cent. of original moisture, for the usual sheet form, and even more when "slab" rubber was prepared. Originally either crepe or sheet rubber was made, but later the preparation of the crepe form was displaced largely by "slab" rubber. These "slabs" were really very thick sheets, which had been subject to only slight pressure.