File:The rubber tree book (1913) (14592301128).jpg

Identifier: rubbertreebook00macl (find matches)
Title: The rubber tree book
Year: 1913 (1910s)
Authors: Maclaren, W. F. de Bois
Subjects:
Publisher: London : Maclaren & sons
Contributing Library: University of British Columbia Library
Digitizing Sponsor: University of British Columbia Library

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should always be carried. Some slight knowledge of the lie of the land having beenacquired, temporary shelter for the manager and for part ofthe labour force becomes the first consideration. This havingbeen erected, the next thing to set about is the felhng of thejungle. For this felling one need not usually have to await thearrival of contract labour. It is better, indeed, to have afair clearance made before contract labour begins to arrive.The services of local natives are, therefore, usually secured.Whether these are Cingalese in Ceylon, Malays or Chinese inthe Federated Malay States and Straits Settlements, or Battaksin Sumatra, the conditions are similar. The local labour force,while often not willing to engage in regular and long-continuedtask work, is quite willing to take up a contract for fellingand burning the forest. Costs for felling and burning usuallywork out at about G.8 per acre in Sumatra, and the amountmay be expressed in dollars to meet the costs in the Federated 64
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FELLING 67 Malay States, and would be still higher in Kelantan and Pahang.Suppose the manager intends to plant up 300 acres during thefirst year, and the same number of acres each succeeding year, hewill thoroughly fell the first 300 in preparation for the goodburn he always hopes for. It is very important so to arrangematters that one does not miss the dry season for a proper and,if need be, repeated burn. Besides felling the first 300 acres in a thorough fashion, itis a wise thing to fell the heavy timber in those portions of jungle-land which it is intended to clear and burn next season. Byfelling the heavy timber only, the large tree trunks and rootsget a much longer period to decay, and when, later on, the timecomes to burn them, the wood will not be so green and full ofsap, and so will burn more readily. All the smaller timber andbrushwood in such areas is left uncut, so as to cover the groundand prevent lalang getting in and establishing itself. When felling jungle trees, care

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