is happily most in favour of the formpr theory, viz. : — That the pest 

 is an old one which has been abnormally developed in recent years, 

 but until discovered by us, unknown to science. 



It may be the case, that this destructive Fungus only assumes 

 serious development in some cases, and under certain conditions ; and 

 it is clear that further enquiry would tend to clear up such a point. 

 It is not to be doubted that the disease is present in greatest 

 force on those estates where continuous cultivation has been the rule, 

 and where constitutional Aveakness in* the cane plant, has been 

 generated by such a course of culture. 



As to Banana Disease — from Reports Avhich have reached this 

 office — the necessity for further inquiry is becoming daily more 

 urgent, as the most prevalent disease now appears to be quite diffei-ent 

 from that mentioned in Circular Note No. 10. 



96.— PARA RUBB'E'R.—Hevea BraziUensis, Muel. 



The tree known by the above name is one of those producing the 

 article known in commerce as " Para Rubber" or " Caoutchouc," Fr. — 

 Kautschuk, Ger. Eevea guianensis, Eevea Spriiceana and Hevea 

 jjauciflora are also known as producing Rubber of the same class. 



Our largest tree, whose age we are unable to ascertain, has a stem 

 which at the ground line and four feet above, affords diameters measur- 

 ing 22 and 15 inches respectively ; the tree itself being some forty feet 

 in height. 



Para Rubber is second to none in the world's markets and realizes 

 good prices. In European markets Para Rubber usually heads the 

 list, and in October last the quotations of the " Public Ledger" were. 

 Para 2/ll|, Colombian 2/6^, Central American 2/8, and Bornean 1/9 

 per lb. 



Apart from its value as Rubber the tree promises to be useful as 

 a shade tree for Cacao estates. The process of harvesting rubber is 

 simple in the extreme, and was described in a late article by Dr. 

 Ernst of Caracas, reprinted in our Bulletin No. 18, June, 1893. The 

 tree mentioned as growing in the Royal Botanic Gardens is m 

 extremely poor and unfertile soil, and there can be no question there- 

 fore of the suitability of our lands and climate for the growth of 

 Hevea braziltensis, MueJl. But the main question with cultivators 

 and one we are the most often called upon to ansAver in such cases is — 

 How soon will it give a return ? This question we are obliged to 

 confess we cannot answer with that accuracy we wish should always 



