September i, 1910.] 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



441 



The Rubber Planting Interest. 



NEW RUBBER PLANTATION REQUISITES. 



THE development of rubber plantations and of improved 

 methods of dealing with forest rubber has led to the intro- 

 duction into commerce of a great number of appliances and 

 commodities which formerly were not dealt with in connection 

 with the rubber interest in any way. This statement is sug- 

 gested by a reference to a recent copy of a newspaper published 

 at Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Federated Malay States, the capital 

 of the principal rubber planting territory yet developed. In a 

 single issue of this paper are mentioned rubber tapping knives 

 of many types, patented coagulating machines, presses for block- 

 ing rubber, apparatus for turning rubber out into crepe, sheets, 

 and the like, and so on. A single firm mentioned offer four 

 different styles of tapping tools. Vacuum driers are named also. 

 An advertisement relates to sprayers for killing lalang grass, 

 and weeds generally, at a less cost than their extermination 

 otherwise would involve. There are other sprayers, charged with 

 special poisons, for killing the white ants, which are among 

 the most troublesome pests on rubber plantations. Cups for 

 latex are mentioned in great variety — white glass, green glass, 

 glazed porcelain, terne plate, glazed earthenware (English and 

 Chinese makes), and other types. Glazed earthenware coagu- 

 lating dishes are described, together with new rubber coagulants, 

 and special mixtures for manuring rubber plantations. The 

 same paper informs its readers where to buy medicines of inter- 

 est to white men in the tropics, automobiles, typewriters, cameras, 

 condensed milk, and what not, and also where to lay bets at a 

 profit on turf events. There is no doubt that the cultivation 

 of rubber has opened a market — at least in certain localities — 

 for innumerable articles not known hitherto to commerce; it 

 would appear also that Britishers going to Kuala Lampur do not 

 lose touch with the details which render life interesting to them 

 in their own country. 



PLANTATION RUBBER IN GERMANY. 



An interesting feature in the report of Dr. John C. Willis, 

 director of the royal botanical gardens in Ceylon, on his 

 recent tour of the world, relates to his visit to the works of 

 the Continental Caoutchouc und Gutta-Percha Compagnie, in 

 Germany. Dr. Willis was informed that the great Hanover 

 company consume about one-thirtieth of the world's production 

 of rubber. He mentions 5,000 employes, steam engines of 5,000 

 HP., and other details of general interest. What concerned Dr. 

 Willis principally, however, was the quantity of plantation rub- 

 ber consumed. He saw in the works supplies from the Bukit 

 Rajah, Anglo-Malay. Kepitigala, Culloden, and other typical 

 Eastern rubber plantations. Herr Dr. Prinzhorn, who was Dr. 

 Willis's guide through the works, is quoted as objecting to 

 rubber coming in blocks as at present. He thought that these 

 blocks should not be more than 1 inch thick. Dr. Prinzhorn 

 also called attention to the fact that many lots of plantation 

 rubber on being opened were found to be covered with chips 

 of wood, shavings, and sawdust, which come off the roughly- 

 sawn inner sides of the packing boxes. These chips cannot be 

 detached easily by hand, and their removal from the rubber 

 involves considerable labor. The suggestion is made that the 

 insides of packing boxes for rubber be planed smooth, and also 

 that the boxes be lined with paper. It will be remembered that 

 Dr. Prinzhorn about a year ago paid a long visit to the rubber 

 planting regions of Ceylon and the Federated Malay States. 



RUBBER AND TIMBER IN CHIAPAS (MEXICO). 



The Soconusco Estates Co., incorporated May 21, 1910, under 

 the laws of California, with $2,000,000 capital authorized, has for 

 its purpose the development of a hard wood business in the dis- 

 trict of Soconusco, Chiapas, Mexico ; also the utilization of the 



native rubber on the estates, and planting 5,000 acres to rubber. 

 For carrying out the company's plans, an issue of first mortgage 

 6 per cent, improvement gold bonds, to the amount of $2,000,000, 

 is offered. The directors are R. B. Teefy, a banker; C. L. Flack 

 and Thomas Hughes, of the lumber trade; H. J. Dike, a rubber 

 expert ; and J. H. Strait, mayor of Redlands, California. The 

 offices of the company are in Los Angeles, California. 



REORGANIZATION OF THE OBISPO COMPANY. 



Announcement is made of a readjustment of the affairs of 

 The Obispo Rubber Plantation Co., organized in 1901 to estab- 

 lish a rubber plantation in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. Rubber 

 was. planted on a large scale and the progress of the plantation 

 was encouraging, but a year or two ago considerable damage 

 was done by fire, after which the further course of the company 

 was for awhile left in suspense. Shortly after the formation 

 of the company a separate corporation was formed under the 

 style The Republic Development Co., to develop the property 

 and turn it over to the Obispo corporation when the trees reach 

 a productive age. Early in the present year a committee was 

 appointed by the board of directors to visit the company's 

 plantation "San Silverio," in Mexico, consisting of the presi- 

 dent, Mr. C. D. Ingell, and the secretary, Mr. Walter E. Hollo- 

 way, for the purpose of reporting upon the condition of the 

 property, and also a plan for its future conduct. They were met 

 on the estate by Mr. James C. Harvey, supervisor, and his son, 

 Mr. C. M. Harvey, superintendent. The report made by the 

 committee was favorable as to the condition of the property, 

 and the promise of a yield of rubber, and a profit from live 

 stock. A contract has been entered upon whereby the further 

 development work will be taken over by The Obispo Rubber 

 Plantation Co., The Republic Development Co. retiring from 

 further connection with the plantation. The offices of the Obispo 

 company remain at No. 29 Broadway, New York. It is stated 

 that 2,149 persons — stockholders and share contract holders — 

 are in interest with the company. 



A RUBBER PLANTATION NOT FOR SALE. 



The sixth annual inspection of the "Florida" plantation of the 

 Wisconsin Rubber Co., in the interest of the shareholders, was 

 made this year by Mr. George I. Talbot, chosen by the share- 

 holders for the purpose. This plantation is known as one of 

 the best in Mexico. The report of Mr. Talbot has been printed 

 in pamphlet form, ending with the following note signed by 

 R. B. Anderson, president : 



"As will be remembered we last fall received an offer from a 

 London syndicate of $1,500,000 for the Wisconsin rubber planta- 

 tion. This meant a profit of $300,000. We refused to consider 

 the offer. It will be gratifying to all interested to learn that on 

 the 23d of April, 1910, a representative of a London firm came 

 to Madison and made us an offer of $2,400,000, or $600 per 

 share, for the Florida plantation. He was willing to put up 

 $10,000 as a guaranty. The syndicate demanded an immediate 

 answer, but we were unable to entertain the proposition, as it 

 would have been necessary to get the consent of every contract 

 holder 'before accepting. Besides we believe the plantation as it 

 stands today is worth much more than $2,400,000. In a few 

 years it ought to produce 1,000,000 pounds of rubber annually." 



A SHAKESPEARE IN RUBBER. 



The public will welcome the appearance of Mr. W. Shake- 

 speare as signatory for 1,000 shares of the Grand Central 

 (Ceylon) Rubber Estates. Mr. Shakespeare's participation would 

 have been all the more apt if his distinguished namesake had 

 made Hamlet say "Ay, there's the rubber" — instead of the "rub." 

 —The Financial News (London). 



