386 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



[August i, 1904. 



spread. The machine illustrated in Figure 3 is a compact ap- 

 pliance, specially manufactured by Messrs. Bridge & Co., and 

 consists of a substantial framework of cast iron, at one end of 

 which the cloth or other material which it is desired to chalk 

 is wrapped on a roller fixed in easily removable centers pro- 

 vided with a brake arrangement. At the other end, the cloth 

 is wrapped upon another roller fixed upon similar centers, but 

 driven by belt power through a pair of spur wheels. The top 

 of the frame carries a chalk box, fitted with an agitator in which 

 a roller revolves driven by the friction of the cloth ; also a 

 quickly revolving brush. The full width of the machine is 

 fixed upon the top of the frame, the bristles of which come in 

 contact with the material, thus spreading the chalk equally, 

 previous to its being wound on to the power driven roller. 

 Carrier or training rolls are also fixed upon the top of the ma- 

 chine, to give the material the necessary tension over the chalk- 

 ing and brushing rollers. The brush is usually enclosed in a 

 box provided with a slit through which the material passes. 



LITTLE DANGER OF A RUBBER FAMINE. 



FROM THE "ELECTRICAL REVIEW " (NEW YORK). 



A SHORT time ago we made note of a report from a 

 United States consul in Mexico, relating to rubber cul- 

 ture in that country, which took a discouraging view of the 

 matter. This consul could see no success in prospect for the 

 many rubber plantations which have been started there, and on 

 which large sums of money have been expended. He thought, 

 however, that there was some hope that new rubber fields 

 might be discovered, and that in this way the increasing de- 

 mand for this product would be met. 



The following week another report was noted, this time from 

 the United States consul at Para, Brazil. This report took the 

 opposite view, and gave some details of several rubber planta- 

 tions in that country which are already yielding latex, and 



which promise to become important, not only as a source of 

 rubber, but as demonstrating the success with which these 

 trees may be planted and cultivated. 



As is well known, rubber is the most important insulator we 

 have yet discovered for high tension conductors and for inside 

 wiring. The demand for this material is increasing enormous- 

 ly, and it is therefore important to know which of the two re- 

 ports alluded to is to be trusted. The subject is considered in 

 a sharp editorial appearing in the current issue of The India 

 Rubber World, which criticises the report of our consul in 

 Mexico, takes him to task for not ascertaining the correct facts, 

 and which states that there are now plantations in Mexico well 

 advanced, with every prospect that they will be successful as 

 sources of rubber. 



This issue of our contemporary also contains a letter from 

 its Editor, who is at this time making a trip for the purpose of 

 inspecting the rubber producing countries. In this details are 

 given of a visit to several plantations in Ceylon, where there 

 are large trees already giving good yields. There seems to be 

 no difficulty in raising the trees from seeds, and the methods of 

 tapping the tree and of curing the latex are receiving study. 

 The letter takes a very encouraging view of the situation, as not 

 only have the trees already planted flourished, but there are 

 large sections of country which have not been planted, but 

 which are suitable for rubber culture. It is exceedingly grati- 

 fying to learn through such a reliable authority that there is 

 little danger of a rubber famine in the near future. 



A press despatch from Topeka, Kansas, dated July 23, says : 

 " Farmers in the wheat belt are harvesting their wheat in rub- 

 ber boots. Senator McMillan of Ottawa county stated to-day 

 that he has within the past week seen hundreds of men wading 

 in water and mud cutting wheat with cradles. The senator says 

 merchants in Ottawa county were unable to supply the demand 

 for rubber and hip boots." 



