THE CUBA REVIEW. 



The Euphorbia in Cuba — a cactus which grows freely in all parts of the island. The sap from 

 this plant, it has been found, forms a good substitute for rubber. (See article below.) 



Rubber Substitutes From Cacti. 



..A report from U. S. Consul-General 

 William H. Michael, at Calcutta, India, 

 states that an Indian officer was shown 

 a ball of raw substance by a forest of- 

 ficer of one of the native states of India 

 which resembled in appearance gutta- 

 percha or rubber in its raw state. The 

 forest officer said it was from the com- 

 mon cactus, which grows wild in India, 

 known as the Euphorbia.* Acting upon 

 suggestions, about two pounds of the 

 sap from the cactus was procured. It 

 had to be softened in hot water and was 

 then churned. The effect was the same 

 as with milk. The latex was brought to 

 the consistency of putty, which was 

 tough and nonsoluble in water. The 

 putty mass was then kneaded together 

 with sulphur — six parts of the latex to 

 one of chloride of sulphur — and the 

 kneaded mass was allowed to stand 24 

 hours. The mass was then subjected 

 to heat at 350° F. under pressure in a 

 vulcanizer containing hydrated lime for 

 lYi hours. 



The experiment demonstrated that as 

 a rubber compound, both in appearance 

 and adhesiveness, it was equal to rubber 

 compounds on the market which are 

 sold at 65 cents per small tin, while 



*The cactus or plant from which this sap 

 was taken for the experiments is very common 

 in India and is equally common in Cuba. See 

 illustration of plant used as a hedge, for which it 

 is particularly well adapted. 



the cactus compound could be sold for 

 8 annas, or 16 cents. The officer says 

 that owing to the cheapness of the com- 

 position it would be most effective as a 

 primary coating for any woodwork ex- 

 posed to dampness. 



The experiments also demonstrated the 

 fact that coagulation may be secured by 

 mixing the latex with ordinary lime juice. 

 This would be a cheap and easy way 

 of experimenting with the juice of cac- 

 tus found everywhere in Cuba. Should 

 the sap of the Euphorbia prove avail- 

 able for the purpose described it ought 

 to open up a new and valuable industry. 



Pineapples and Cuban Fruits in the 

 Payne Bill. 



Tlie last part of article 270, referring 

 to preserved pineapples, says: 



"Pineapples, preserved in their own 

 juice, not having sugar, spirits, or mo- 

 lasses added thereto, 25 per cent, ad 

 valorem." 



Of pineapples in bulk, or in their nat- 

 ural state, the law r:ads: 



"Pineapples in barrels and other pack- 

 ages, eight dollars per thousand." 



Of citrus fruits, the law reads: 



"Lemons, one and one-fourth cents per 

 pound; oranges, limes, grape-fruit, shad- 

 docks, or nomelos, one cent per pound." 



