75 



ground. The tree should then rest for a couple of months, when 

 the operation may be recommenced, new incisions being made 

 parallel to the old ones. 



The amount of rubber which may be extracted from each tree 

 has been variously stated ; but, depending as it does upon the age 

 of the tree and the different conditions which affect its nourish- 

 ment, it cannot help varying greatly. It was estimated that under 

 good conditions, with the tapping done carefully at the best time, 

 the average yield of a wild tree would be somewhat over 3 Troy 

 ounces, while experiments made in Sergipe show that planted trees, 

 partially cared for, and properly tapped, will yield a considerably 

 greater quantity. 



When it is remembered that about 676 trees can be planted to 

 an acre, the product per acre, taking the average given, would be 

 676 kilos (1,490 pounds), which, at the present price of the best 

 quality, (and if proper care is used there should be no other), would 

 be worth $1,352. The value of the yield of plantations nearer the 

 market, or with better transportation facilities, would be ev en 

 greater. If the trees are planted on good ground other light crops 

 can be grown between them, increasing the revenue. 



The roots give the greatest quantity of milk, but it is not 

 thought desirable to extract it there because the position is not so 

 well adapted to its proper collection, the ascent and descent of the 

 sap is interfered with more markedly, and the roots being exposed 

 to the sun the closing of the cut ends of the lactiferous ducts by 

 coagulation is more rapid. 



The best rubber which has come to this market has been pre- 

 pared by an American, who has acquired considerable property in 

 the heart of the newly discovered region. His rubber has been 

 prepared by keeping the milk liquid until he was able to fill up 

 pans, then letting it coagulate, immediately thereafter submitting 

 it to pressure between boards and subsequently washing and dry- 

 ing it on several days in succession. As a result he produces 

 slabs one-fourth by 10 by 20 inches, of a beautiful amber colour, 

 with agreeable odour and wonderful elasticity. His rubber has 

 brought the best price offered in the market, and has been classed 

 in New York and Liverpool as equal to first-quality Para rubber. 

 He informs me that he is making active preparation to go into 

 the business on a more extensive scale by cleaning up the lands 

 where the Manitoba trees occur wild and planting in places where 

 it does not now exist. 



From my investigation I am convinced that the culture of 

 Manitoba could be most advantgeously introduced into the South 

 of the United States, and particularly into Porto Rico and the 

 Phillipines. 



Besides the large areas in which Manitoba trees occur wild in the 

 State of Bahia, there are vast areas suited to their culture. The 

 larger portion of the wild trees are on State lands, which can be 

 acquired either outright by purchase or by lease granting privilege 



