may many of the seeds from fresh places. In the interior only 

 with the fifth year or sixth year is it apt to produce, it being im- 

 prudent to tap before, owing to the poor resistance of the trunk. 

 It has been observed that Manicoba, thinned, even when young 

 and tender, three or four years old, acquires strength quickly, 

 distancing itself rapidly from its mates left alone. 



The influence it has on the growth of the plant is as yet un- 

 known, it should be an object of keen investigation. 



The tree accommodates itself in a space relatively restricted 

 not requiring more than 2 metres or 2\ metres [6h to 8 feet] dis- 

 tance between one another. It bends little and its shoots grow 

 vertically. 



The agriculturist, H. Lember, wrote the following about the 

 manner of planting Manicoba : 



To accelerate the natural germination, which lasts one year or 

 more, it is necessary to scrape [file] the two rounded extremes of 

 the seed, whose shell is very hard ; this operation requires great 

 care so as not to interfere with the shoot. 



The seeds are then planted in an open bed, at a distance from 

 one another of about 3 inches, covering them with about \ inch of 

 soil, watering twice ordinarily if no rain. The bed should be 

 well exposed to the sun, shade spoils the seed. At the end of 

 3 or 4 weeks there appear the first shoots, when they do not re- 

 quire anymore special care, and they can be transplanted to their 

 definite places when they have attained the height of one foot. 



Those who do not care to go to this trouble of scraping the 

 seeds, may leave them to soak in water for six days then sow 

 them. 



In this case the germination commences after 4 weeks and will 

 be ended after three or four months. The transplantation may 

 be made from cuttings of new sprigs, which easily attain roots so 

 long as one eye is left above the soil. 



EXTRACTION OF MILK FROM MANICOBA AND THE PREPARA- 

 TION OF RUBBER. 



The Commission appointed by the Government for the study 

 of Manicoba found in different zones of this State, in their report 

 describes the following different methods employed for the ex- 

 traction of the milk. 



In the Manicoba and in most of the plants of the family of 

 Euphorbiacese, the latex contained in the bark by the laticiferous 

 vessels from the roots to the leaves and fruit having the colour 

 of sulphur or orange according to the exposure to the sun's rays, 

 we noted a variety of the milk which was white. 



At the branches and roots, the milk appears in abundance, 

 principally the latter. 



We encountered also latex in the pith. 



PROPERTIES OF THE MILK. 

 When the bark is cut the milk exudes, giving out a smell of 



