147 



careful study, and is a notable addition to the world's varied in- 

 dustries. Consequently, the questions of soil, rainfall and climatic 

 conditions must enter largely into the calculations of those con- 

 templating its future. 



The rubber tree requires a rich loam soil ; warm, moist climate ; 

 low altitude ; a large and evenly distributed rainfall, and perfect 

 drainage. All these conditions exist in the Department of Soco- 

 nusco. 



The rain record, taken daily by the British Vice-Consul, R. O. 

 Stevenson, has averaged l6o inches for many years past. 



The plantation consists of 18,791 acres of land, of which 12,000 

 acres have been set apart as La Zacualpa Rubber Plantation and 

 are now being planted with rubber trees. 



LABOUR. 

 The management is entrusted to one superintendent, two major- 

 domos, or sub-managers, and one corporal to every thirty men. 

 During the planting season about 300 men are employed, with ten 

 corporals. All the planting is done under the supervision of rod- 

 men who have formerly worked with engineers, and the lines out- 

 lining the planted squares and avenues between are run with 

 great care. At sunrise the plantation bell calls the labourers to 

 work, all assembling in the patio, or yard, in front of the mana- 

 ger's house. The major-domos receive their instructions from the 

 manager and communicate them to the corporals, who in turn di- 

 rect their men regarding the work of the day, and are responsible 

 for the performance of their respective duties. The bell, which 

 can be heard in all parts of the plantation, announces the noon 

 hour, and at I o'clock work is resumed, continuing till sunset. 

 Everything is done in the most systematic manner, and the plan- 

 tation is kept clean and in good order at all times. The supplies 

 needed are furnished from the company's store, and a large bake 

 oven is provided for the use of the labourers. Generally four or 

 five women do all the baking, and sell bread to those wishing to 

 buy. 



THE LOCATION OF THE PLANTATION 



is an ideal one, level for the most part, but sufficiently rolling for 

 good drainage, well watered, entirely free from stones and gravel, 

 and has the reputation all through that country of being a very 

 choice strip of rubber land. The elevation at no point exceeds 

 400 feet, and at some places is as low as lOO feet. La Zacualpa 

 Rubber Plantation is a most interesting place, and improvements 

 are constantly being made. A sawmill is in constant use, prepa- 

 ring timber for the construction of permanent houses for the na- 

 tive labourers and other buildings for the company's use. Excel- 

 lent tiles have been made from clay found on the plantation, and 

 are used in roofing buildings. The population of La Zacualpa to- 

 day, including men, women and children, is over 600. The same 

 plan has been carried out in the buildings for the labourers as 

 that used in the plantation proper, the buildings being situated on 

 plazas, or squares. 



