On  some  estates  the  average  is  400  trees  per  day  with
three  cuts.  One  estate  averaged  420  trees  with  three
cuts  per  tree.  On  the  majority  of  estates  daily  tapping
is  the  rule,  but  on  quite  a  large  number  the  trees  are
tapped  on  alternate  days  only.  Many  different  opinions
are  expressed  as  to  the  class  of  labourer  most  suitable
and  efficient  for  tapping.  On  the  estates  equally  good
and  bad  tapping  is  done  by  Tamils,  Javanese,  Chinese,
and  Malays.  The  best  work  was  invariably  found  where
the  most  competent  supervision  existed,  and  it  is  safe
to  say  that  the  general  standard  of  tapping  on  an  estate


216  THE  RUBBER  INDUSTRY

depends  on  the  attention  and  care  devoted  to  the
superintendence  of  the  work  by  the  manager  and  his
assistants.
