There are certain economic factors entering into the difference of opinion regarding the two broad methods employed. In some cases--_e.g._, on old areas--it would be practically impossible to follow the older method of daily cup-washing, as the tappers have to employ two buckets for the collection of the latex. The employment of special coolies for cup-washing would be necessitated, such as may be seen sometimes on estates working Chinese "squatter" labour--where the man taps, a child assists in collecting, and another child, or the mother, washes the cups. It may be pointed out that in such instances the helpers are not paid by the estate. Their services merely mean a saving in time which is spent in the squatter's garden, and perhaps the permission to the tapper to work a larger number of trees than would be allotted ordinarily to a task. Again, on some estates, the tappers, while not being required to carry a bucket of water for cup-washing, are given an increased number of trees to tap. Furthermore, on hilly areas under tapping, it is often manifestly unfair to expect the tapper to be able to carry two buckets during collection, when the slope is such, as to make the manipulation of even one bucket a matter of difficulty. It will be seen, therefore, that there is no clear issue for argument concerning the two methods, and that the point must be decided on the economic factors peculiar to each estate or district. [Illustration: EFFECTS UPON RENEWED BARK OF PREVIOUS TAPPING. Note uneven surface and callosities.] [Illustration: ANOTHER EXAMPLE SHOWING THE EFFECTS OF PREVIOUS TAPPING.] 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. 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.