40 



that no unshaded plantation of Castilloas will stand heavy tapping 

 for many years. 



Up to the sixth year the plantation needs no shade. Two years 

 later, if the plantation is not kept cleared, wild trees and bush 

 will have grown high enough to shade the stems in a moist climate. 

 If this plan is not adopted, or if it is prevented in places by long- 

 dry seasons, then shade trees should be previously planted. I 

 have practised leaving forest trees standing singly when clearing 

 the ground for a plantation. If two-fifths or three-fifths of the 

 original forest trees are cleared away at first, the Castilloas grow 

 well. After six years, no more cutting away of bush need be done. 



From 1879-82 I planted Castilloa alba in open land and also 

 between cacao, Sh acres of each. Those in the open died without 

 tapping or at the third tapping. Those in the forest or at the edge 

 of the forest are alive today, and have been tapped every year. 

 Castilloa requires perfectly permeable subsoil. Where the soil or 

 sub-soil is not of this character, no Castilloas should be planted. 

 Castilloa would not be attacked by the beetle borer if the tree was 

 in health, and if such is the case, it is to be presumed that the 

 sub-soil is impermeable and the tree unhealthy. Seedlings can be 

 transplanted when very small with earth about their roots, or they 

 can be transplanted at a year old if the tap-root is cut back to the 

 woody part, all side roots cut off, and also the stem cut back to 

 wood. Such a bare stick must be planted with the crown (from 

 which the first new roots grow) h inch to § inch under the soil. 

 If the crown is above the soil there is no growth. 



The often-advised close planting of Castilloas and subsequent 

 thinning is not usually to be recommended. Where land is cheap 

 or where the wind may be strong, it should not be done. Close 

 planting produces trees with long, weak trunks. After thinning, 

 they are easily blown down. It is to be noticed that in tapping, 

 the strong bast fibres, which help greatly to support the stem, are 

 cut, and a tall tree is then easily broken down by wind. 



B. — Tapping.* 



Mr. J. Herber Foster, of Tula de los Tuxtlas, gives in the Mexican 

 Investor, for January 5, 1907, his results in tapping Castilloa trees. 



Mr. Foster shipped about i,200lbs. of rubber from the Tula 

 plantation in 1906. The trees averaged 20 to 25 inches around, 

 just about the root enlargement, the largest ones ranging from 30 

 to 38 inches. He uses a Smith tapping knife and makes three V 

 cuts about 20 inches apart, each reaching not quite round the tree, 

 but leaving 5 inches uncut. A small cup is fixed at the apex of 

 each, and the latex spooned down into it. The cups are emptied 

 into a pail. There is no need of water to prevent coagulation. 

 The cups are not left on the trees. After tapping twelve trees, 

 and again after two or three hours, the workman returns and 

 spoons out the cuts. At Tula the men tap all day, while at Soco- 

 nusco the heat cheeks the flow in the afternoon. 



From "Agricultural News," VI. 125. 



