166 



We have already expressed our opinion of samples of the cultivated rubber from 

 the Malay states, which, while attractive in appearance, do not really resemble the 

 fine Para rubber now in use. It is much softer than the Brazilian product, and of 

 much shorter "fibre." It could not be used, for example, in thread, elastic bands, 

 or any fine, pure gum goods. In solution, it quickly loses its tenacity, sothab it 

 would not do for high-grade cements. And it readily softens with age. Perhaps 

 some of these defects might be removed by the introduction in the East of the 

 methods of coagulation employed in the Amazon rubber camps, but we are disposed 

 to believe that the Eastern planters have really produced a new grade of rubber, 

 and that the Para article can never wholly be duplicated by them. It is to be under- 

 stood, of course, that the rubber is valuable, and will fiud a ready market at a price 

 which is likely to yield a profit, but such samples as have reached us, valued from 

 the manufacturers's standpoints, would rank at least 25 per cent, lower than fine 

 Para. 



The good prices realized in London, doubtless, have been due to the cleanly 

 appearance of the new rubber. And they have been based on the judgment of 

 brokers, rather than results of practical tests in the factory. * * * The manu- 

 facturer's test is the one by which the value of this rubber will be judged finally, 

 regardless of what may be the judgment of brokers to-day. We do ni>t mean to 

 dampen the enthusiasm of the planters, but there is such a thing as basing their 

 plans upon estimates of profits that are impossible.* 



It is certainly to be hoped that this disappointing report can be 

 traced to some accident to the samples condemned, or that the quality 

 will improve as the trees increase in age. And yet it may not be a 

 matter of surprise that with rubber, as with so many other natural 

 products, perfection will be found to depend on some apparently trifling 

 and long-overlooked pe uliarity of soil or climate. 



But whatever the true merits or prospects of the Para rubber indus- 

 try of the East Indies the above report well illustrates the vicissitudes 

 of hope and f liluie to which new cultures must remain subject until 

 scientific knowledge and practical experience have revealei the princi- 

 pal factors and shown something of their relative significance. 



It it impossible to tell in adv.mce which fact will be of directly prac- 

 tical importance in the development of a new and complicated subject like 

 rubber culture. Nothing should be disregarded which tends to bring 

 the rubber-producing species into relation with the facts which have 

 been accumulated with regard to other plants, or which can serve as a 

 suggestioi for the solution of any of the all too-numerous problems 



HABITS OF CASTILLOA IN THE WILD STATE, 



There is a popular impression that in order to domesticate a plant it 

 is necessary to place it under the &ame c mditions as in the wild state, 

 but as a matter <if fact our cultivated plants generally have much better 

 conditions than their wild relatives. It is easy, however, to overlook 

 some essential requirement of a new culture and it is a distinct advan- 

 tage to understand as thoroughly as possible the habits of a wild plant 

 which it is desired to domesticate. T e tamarack and the cypress, for 

 example, are in nature confined to swamps, bat they grow as well or 

 better when planted on dry ground- The difficulty is that without 

 human assistance they are unable to establish themselves on dry ground. 

 Similarly, it has been inferred regarding Castilloa that it is a shade- 

 loving plant because it is found wild only in the forest. It is known, 

 however, that it is thus limited in nature because the seed is so thin 

 skinned and short-lived that there is no possibility of its surviving ex- 

 posure to the open sun on dry ground, and it is abundantly prored 



♦ India Rubber World, 1902 



