Makcu 1. 191-) 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



293 



Difficulties and Dangers of Balata Gathering — Canoeing Up 

 the Maroni River in Dutch Guiana. 



By (1 h'l'siJettt Correspondent. 



OX a reccin trip up llie Maroni River we had an opportunity 

 to witness how the enormous balata crop is gathered in 

 the forests of Surinam and exported to the markets of 

 tlie world. From the beginning to the end the work of produc- 

 ing and handling the product is most interesting, to say nothing 

 of the risks and dangers attendant upon its safe transportation 

 to the shipping port. 



The balata districts on the Maroni are situated in a land of 

 high and rugged mountains and valleys, extensive savannahs and 

 fertile plains, where the grasses are ever fresh and ,i;reen. 

 Twelve hours in a Government steamer — from Paramaribo, the 



W ATHKKRd.NT, .■\lB1N.\. 



capital of the colony — brings one to Albina, a little town situ- 

 ated about 90 miles from the mouth of the mighty Maroni River, 

 and the starting point for the balata fields. At Albina all ar- 

 rangements are made for canoes and bush negroes to convey the 

 expeditions up the rapid and dangerous river. 



Leaving Aibina with its queer, mixed population, we entered 

 an altogether savage world, encountering very few civilized peo- 

 ple during the two months of our trip. For the first few days 

 we journeyed part of the night also, but we soon found this 

 very dangerous, for there are many obstructions in this part of 

 the river ; and the lookout man — sitting at the bow of our canoe 

 — who was supposed to keep a sharp eye, often fell asleep, with 

 the result that both our lives and our property were imperiled. 



In the daytime we often indulged in fishing with hook and 

 line, as our blacks poled or paddled slowly up-stream, and usual- 

 ly we caught very large fish — so large, indeed, that one was 

 sometimes sufficient to make two meals for our party — which 

 comprised eight men all told — notwithstanding our enormous 

 eating capacity. 



As tlicre were many kinds of water and tree fowls along the 

 river, we dined frequently upon game. At other times, wishing 

 a still greater assortment of food, and to enjoy the chase, we 

 landed on the banks for a few hours to hunt deer, pigs, tapirs and 

 the like. One morning, a fine pig having been taken in the 

 thicket near the edge of the river, we landed on the first sand- 

 bank for breakfast. Getting ashore, a few of our men set to 

 work at once to prepare the pig, while the others watched the 

 operation. 



These pigs subsist entirely upon wild fruits and vegetables. 

 and the meat is excellent, especially if the animal is young. They 

 have no laver of fat under the skin, as does the domestic pig. 



Some varieties roam about singly, while others go in herds of 

 one or two hundred. 



When an enemy approaches one of these herds the alarm is 

 given and they instantly arrange themselves in line of battle and 

 advance to the attack, tossing their tusks constantly from side to 

 side, grunting and snuffing and emitting a disgusting odor. If 

 the enemy does not quickly make his escape he will be mangled. 

 Jaguars always skulk near these swine bands, for they have but 

 to steal up and seize a pig whenever they wish to dine. These 

 great cats seem to know well the danger of an attack by the 

 pigs, so they act discreetly. When one is hungry for pork he 

 conceals himself close to the line of march of the swine, lying 

 in wait until the entire herd files past; then, as the last pig is 

 passing, he springs suddenly upon it, breaks its neck, drops it 

 and scrambles up a tree. The unfortunate pig, of course, utters 

 a squeal of alarm when seized, so its companions at once form 

 in battle array and advance upon the foe. Soon they encircle 

 the spot where the victim lies dead, but seeing no enemy they 

 again form into line and move on. The jaguar then descends 

 and enjoys a quiet meal. 



.\s we travelled on we passed fine grazing lands, that appeared 

 like beautiful meadows; then groves of shade trees, where we 

 idiTiost expected to see a farmer's house; and finally tracts of 

 ilinse forest, where the branches of the huge, spreading trees 

 were heavily draped and festooned with enormous masses of 

 (■limbing vines. One of the many things that attracts one's at- 

 tention in the forest of Dutch Guiana is the great spread of the 

 branches of the trees, for they frequently appear to reach out 

 from the trunk 70 or 80 feet. 



We often landed at some charming arboreal palace to pre- 

 pare and eat our food, fo^,- pn the rocks and sandbanks we 



First Line of Rapids. Maroni River. 



could not always obtain fuel, and were, moreover, exposed to 

 the blistering heat of the sun. At such times, when we were 

 not troubled by insects, we enjoyed a delightful picnic, with 

 which our jungle banquet was in keeping. Occasionally we were 

 forced to pass the night in the forest. 



Late one afternoon we disembarked in the forest for dinner; 

 but before we had finished our repast a storm broke and dark- 

 ness closed in quickly upon us — darkness, too, that could almost 

 be felt — obliging us finally to grope our way among the trees. 



