[Illustration: VIEW OF PLATFORM OF "DEVON" SMOKE-HOUSE; DOORS OF COMPARTMENTS OPEN, AND ONE RACK PARTIALLY WITHDRAWN.
Note below each rack opening through which smoke rises, covered with wire netting.]
Although reference has been made several times to compartments, it should be understood that the chambers are not subdivided internally by means of partitions. There exists only the external effect of compartments in the form of the eight swinging doors which allow for the withdrawal of, or insertion of, any one unit of racks at any time without interference with the bulk of the rubber.
[Illustration: DOUBLE "DEVON" SMOKE-HOUSE OF BRICK, WITH ROOF OF CHINESE TILES, SHOWING LOADING PLATFORMS WITH RACKS WITHDRAWN FROM SMOKING CHAMBERS.
Federated Engineering Co., Ltd., Kuala Lumpur.]
[Illustration: SIDE VIEW OF PRECEDING PHOTOGRAPH, SHOWING EXTERNAL ARRANGEMENT FOR STOKING FURNACES.
Federated Engineering Co., Ltd., Kuala Lumpur.]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION.--As enquiries are often received it is permissible to reproduce the following detailed description of the original house. This appeared in the Fourth Local Report (Malaya) 1916, issued to subscribers by the Rubber Growers' Association.
"The house has a steel frame-work, 22 feet long, 16 feet wide, and 22 feet high. Of the length, 14 feet is occupied by the platforms, and 8 feet by the chambers. These measurements can be varied. The whole of the width (16 feet) is occupied by compartments of which one series is placed above the other.
[Illustration: FRONT VIEW OF DOUBLE "DEVON" TYPE OF SMOKE-HOUSE.
"_Platforms._--The loading verandahs or platforms are of ordinary 'seriah' timber.
"_Compartments and Furnace Chamber._--These are enclosed with Bell's 'Poilite' sheets, each of which measures 8 feet by 4 feet by 3/16 inch. The sheets are affixed to the steel stanchions, doors, etc., by galvanised bolts (1 inch by 1/4 inch) which pass through iron flats measuring 8 feet by 2 inches by 3/8 inch (about). These iron flats hold the sheets at the edges. The dimensions of the compartments are 8 feet by 8 feet by 4 feet.
"_Racks._--These are eight in number, and measure just under 8 feet by 8 feet by 4 feet. The capacity of each is roughly about 450 lbs., of dry sheet rubber. The racks are mounted on 6-inch iron wheels, running on rails of stock size, 'T' iron (1-3/4 inches by 1-3/4 inches by 1/4 inch).