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price, and the slow growth of the plant it is difficult to see how 

 anyone can in earnest consider the cultivation of Guayule. 

 Factories operating a large area should naturally take some steps 

 for re-covering the ground with Guayule, but beyond sowing the 

 seeds, and taking the chance of their germinating, and growing 

 in a few years to a size, that can be utilized, it is hardly possible 

 to do anything. 



As for the tear of Guayule filling the market to the exclusion 

 of crude rubber from previous sources of wild tropical rubber and 

 from present and future plantations, such an idea is hardly worth 

 refuting. If we remember that the requirements at present of the 

 United States alone amount to more than 60,000,000 lbs. an- 

 nually, a simple mathematical calculation, based on the most 

 exaggerated expectations of the output of Guayule rubber from 

 the entire territory where it is growing, will show the role this 

 product could have in the world's market, even supposing that 

 the supply was inexhaustible and as large as claimed by Guayule 

 enthusiasts. 



It may be added that the quality of Guayule rubber is very 

 inferior, the rubber being very sticky and rapidly deteriorating. 

 The market value is very low in comparison with that of first 

 class rubbers, but it still leaves a wide margin for profit, and the 

 supply of rubber plants is apparently enough for a few factories, 

 not too closely situated. As a special product the Guayule has a 

 market of its own, and if cultivation of this plant can be accom- 

 plished on a profitable basis, it will prove a great boon to the 

 sterile parts of Northern Mexico. 



Another rubber plant of Mexico, Euphorbia elastica has been 

 spoken of. I have seen the plant, but have not been able to obtain 

 a sample of the product, which I understand, however, somewhat 

 resembles the Guayule rubber. 



POSTSCRIPT. 



I may have failed to convey a right idea of the extent of our 

 Mexican rubber industry in my discussion on the previous pages. 

 But I hope I have drawn the reader's attention to the fact that, 

 although we may be far behind other countries in our methods, 

 we are trying to do things as best we can. There has been 

 much to bring our rubber planting industry into disrepute. 

 But we are by no means downhearted, and we feel confident that 

 we shall some day be able to do our share in contributing to 

 supply the world with that valuable commodity, rubber. The 

 area now planted will yet be largely increased in Mexico and all 

 through Central America, but I do not think this need cause 

 rubber planters, present or prospective, in other countries, any 

 concern. There is plenty of room, and with more rubber pro- 

 duced we shall have more articles made from this staple for he 

 benefit of mankind. 



