243 



inches. The wettest season is from October to December, and 

 there is another wet season of slightly less degree during March 

 and April 



The average maximum temperature occurring between noon and 

 3 p.m. is in the low-country just under 90°, and the average 

 minimum occurring before sunrise is just over 70°. The general 

 mean temperature is about 80' 



Soil — The soil in which the trees grow in the forests on the 

 Amazon and its tributaries is deep and rich, mainly alluvial, 

 sometimes a stiff clay, sometimes a vegetable mould ; and it is 

 frequently inundated along the banks of the rivers. Young plants 

 however, are not often observed to grow actually within reach of 

 the tides. 



For sake of comparison the following analyses of Para rubber 

 soil in Ceylon (from Mr. Herbert Wright), and a typical banana 

 soil from the parish of St. Mary are here given. 



Rubber Soils at Henaratgoda 

 Soil under old rubber. 



Per cent. 

 Coarse sand and small 

 stones 38-00 



100-00 



Chemical Analyses, 



Insoluble matter 83-00 



Moisture 1-20 



Organic matter and 



combined water 7-8 



Potash 0-046 



Lime O-040 



Phosphoric acid 0-031 



Carbonic acid as -( 



Carbonate of lime J not determined 



Humus (soluble in "( 



ammonia) J do 



Nitrogen 0-154 



Available potash COOS 



Available phosphoric 



acid trace ... 0^0008 



SUITABLE LOCALITIES IN JAMAICA. 



It will be seen from the foregoing that there are many districts 

 in Jamaica suitable for the growth of Para rubber. Portions of St. 

 Andrew, St. Thomas-in-the East, the lower lands in Portland, St. 

 Mary, St. Ann, St. Catherine, Upper Clarendon, Manchester, St. 

 Elizabeth, Trelawny, St. James, Hanover and Westmoreland. 

 There are available districts in every agricultural parish in the 

 island, districts in which cocoa is or might be successfully culti- 

 vated. 



" To secure land at the right elevation, with the requisite rain- 

 fall and proper soil, is the first consideration in connection with 

 the successful culture of the Para rubber tree. The elevations 

 most suitable are from sea-level up to i,200 or 1,300 feet. It will 

 grow at a higher elevation ; indeed there are reports of it growing 

 at over 2,000 feet ; but it would probably take longer to come to 



