152 



In order to complete the investij^ation, a supply of the latex of 

 the same tree from which the rubber had been prepared was obtained 

 from Singapore. The aqueous portion of this latex, after separating 

 the rubber, was found to contain a Iquantity of the /-methylinosite, 

 amounting to O.46 per cent, of the total latex. The presence of this 

 carbohydrate has also been proved in fine hard Para rubber from 

 South America. 



The results of this investigation are of considerable practical 

 interest ss showing that in the analysis of rubber prepared by the 

 Brazilian method (or by any method which leads to the inclusion in 

 the rubber of all the solid constituents of the latex) it will be neces- 

 sary to take into account the possibility of other substances besides 

 resin being extracted from the rubber on treatment with hot acetone. 



A fireliminary note on the results of this investigation has been 

 communicated to the Chemical Society of London, by Dr. S. S. Pickles 

 and Mr. B. W. Whitefeild, of the Scientific and Technical Department 

 of the Imperial Institute. — {Bulletin of the Imperial Institute, April, 

 1912.) 



PARA RUBBER IN ST. LUCIA. 



Ten thousand seeds of Para Rubber f Hevea brasiliensis) were 

 obtained from Ce\ Ion and arrived in October. Some of them were 

 distributed to purchasers and the remainder were sown at the 

 Experimental Station nursery. Only 10 per cent, of the whole 

 consignment germinated. At the station 780 plants were raised and 

 some of the number will be reserved for planting in a plot. About 600 

 will be available for distribution. 



Para rubber planting in St. Lucia is at present only on experi- 

 mental lines, but the trees planted in 1908-O9 appear to be making 

 very satisfactory growth, and some interest in the cultivation is 

 developing. A more extended trial is desirable, to test the suit- 

 ability of different soils and localities for the successful cultivation 

 of this tree. 



Experiments have been carried out to test the hardiness of Para 

 rubber plants for distribution in the Island, when they are packed, 

 with the view of reducing the bulk in and therefore the cost of 

 transporting parcels of them, at the same time ensuring that they 

 shall arrive at the various estates in sound condition. The trial was 

 carried out as follows : Twelve plants were lifted from the seed beds, 

 the tops cut back leaving the plants a little over a foot in length and 

 all the leaves were removed. The soil was then shaken from the roots 

 leaving them quite bare. The plants were then divided into two 

 bundles and wrapped up in banana trash, which had previously been 

 thoroughly soaked in water ; each bundle containing six plants. One 

 bundle was placed in a dry close potting shed, the temperature of 

 which often reached 95' P., and the other bundle was placed in the 

 Office. 



