It is surprising how the point is overlooked in many factories--not that they are in a dirty state, but they fall short of being classed as clean factories for want of the little that makes the difference. Possibly those in charge do not believe that all this fuss need be made, but the writers can assure them, from a practical knowledge of a very large number of factories, that cleanliness does pay. It might not be credited to Tamil coolies, but yet it is probably true, that the moral effect of working under the cleanest and best conditions has an influence upon the store coolies, and that their work is better in consequence. Everything which will tend to simplify the cleansing of the factory should therefore be installed. Hose-pipes, glazed tiles, clean floors, plenty of light and air are not fads or fancies, but considerable factors in determining the final quality of the rubber. There is considerable truth in the suggestion that the coagulating room and machine room should be as "spick and span" as a modern home dairy. STRAINING OF LATEX.--This is a most necessary process, and one which usually entails much trouble and time which one could wish avoided. It will be admitted that the trouble could be reduced greatly if the regulation of field processes could be made more stringent. In spite of knowledge that impurities must not be allowed to enter the cups, coolies will ignore the rule that the cup must not be placed in position until the bark shaving has been cut. The result is that pieces of bark fall into the cups, and coolies are generally too careless or too hurried to remove them. Again, when cups are placed on the ground, it is easy to see that dirt may adhere to them. In the collection of latex some of this dirt may fall into the bucket. Since the introduction of cup-holders on many estates the trouble from this source has decreased considerably, but, nevertheless, it may be taken for granted that even under the best of conditions all latex requires straining.