June 1, 1919.] 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



519 



British and Dutch Guiana. The forests are practically virgin 

 and the fields of operation extensive. 



THRIVING HEVEA PLANTATIONS. 



Cultivated Hcvea brasiliensis in Dutch Guiana compares 

 favorably with rubber estates in the East, says a Dutch official 

 who arrived recently from Java and was impressed with the 

 robust and healthy condition of the trees in this countrj'. 

 Hardly any tapping operations have taken place during the last 

 three years owing to the war and the restrictions on the export 

 of rubber. In June last year, however, one estate, as an experi- 

 ment, put on a gang of Javanese bleeders for a few months, 

 and the results were so satisfactory that the owners have now 

 decided to tap the trees regularly in future. This experimental 

 tapping produced 1,718 kilograms of biscuit of the finest quality. 



It is expected that all the rubber-producing plantations will 

 begin operations this year, and if weather conditions are satis- 

 factory the. production will startle the rubber producers of the 

 East. It must not be forgotten that only yesterday the colony 

 began to talk rubber and is therefore young in the business in 

 comparison with other countries. The colony is to be con- 

 gratulated on its soil' and climate; they are ideal for the industry 

 and if the price of rubber remains stable there will still be 

 good money to be made by rubber planters in this part of the 

 world. 



There are fully a million trees of tappable size in Surinam 

 that have never been touched by the knife; they are just "fat" 

 with latex, and are fine specimens of Hcvea brasiliensis. It is a 

 pleasure to visit some . of the estates and see these valuable 

 productions cf nature. .\ fact which should be recorded is that 

 for the last eighteen months the leaf disease has not been seen 

 in the country ; it is entirely eradicated and it is anticipated 

 that, through measures adopted by the Agricultural Depart- 

 ment, the disease will never make its appearance again. 



In conclusion, Dutch Guiana would make an ideal spot for 

 Americans, it is so well situated; the climate is charming, the 

 resources so numerous, the chances for money-making so cer- 

 tain, that it would be a pity to allow such a country to go to 

 ruin when the United States has the millions to make it one 



"America can better develop the resources of the West Indies 

 than the Netherlands, and when people begin to talk of how 

 many millions they will ask, they are on their way to acceptance 

 of the proposition." 



Tk.\il Through the Bush to B.\i..\t.\ Concession. 



of the most prosperous countries in South .'America. Why 

 doesn't Uncle Sam. make a bid for it? Holland undoubtedly 

 realizes the desirability of a transfer to the United Stales of her 

 West Indian possessions at this time, especially when she con- 

 templates the expense she is called upon to meet each year for 

 their up-keep. To quote the words of Dr. Schick in "Onz Land" : 



MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN NOTES. 

 BALATA AND RUBBER EXPORTS FROM BRITISH GUIANA. 



THE amount of balata and rubber exported from British 

 Guiana to England and the United States during the ten 

 months ended October 31, 1918. as compared with the correspond- 

 ing ten months of 1917, is as follows: 



Bala 



1917. 1918. 



:i5,174 575,081 



12,113 19,173 



The production of balata decreased because the dry season set 

 in earlier than usual, stopping the flow of latex. At the same 

 time, the stocks on hand at the end of October were not above 

 normal for that season of the year. 



RUBBER IN DUTCH GUIANA. 



Rubber production in Dutch Guiana decreased about SO per 

 cent in 1917, owing to plant diseases and lack of the right kind 

 of labor, but ruling prices were high. In 1916, 23,861 pounds 

 were sold for $23,861 ; in 1917, 9,354 pounds produced $5,102. 



Balata production increased 261,201 pounds in 1917, 1,952,643 

 pounds being produced as against 1,692,442 in 1916. Prices varied 

 during the year, changing on the London market from 70 to 95 

 cents per kilo and in New York from 72 to 95 cents. 



RUBBER MANUFACTURES IN PERU. 



Imports of rubber manufactures increased notably during 1917, 

 notwithstanding the difficulties of shipment. The amount im- 

 ported in 1917 was valued at $1,002,288. In 1916 the imports 

 amounted to $107,817. 



Export figures, however, show a decrease of approximately 

 25 per cent, doubtlessly due to inadequate shipping facilities. 

 Crude rubber exports during 1917 were valued at $2,812,640, as 

 against $3,391,459 in 1917. 



BRITISH SOUTH AFRICAN IMPORTS AND EXPORTS. 1916-1917. 



Statistics covering the imports and exports of British South 

 .\irica show the following comparison: 



IMPORTS. 



1916. 1917. 



India rubber, including tires $2,531,286 $2,805,099 



Machinery bands and belting 864,155 888,696 



Conveying hose 401,311 288,122 



Totals $3,796,752 $3,981,917 



EXPORTS. 



Rubber goods and gutta fwrcha: 



To United Kingdom $I,j65,553 



United States 738.944 



Italy 281,683 



Total $2,586,180 



Since the entry of the United States into the war, no dis- 

 crimination has "been made against American goods, although 

 there is naturally some preference for products of British man- 

 ufacture in some quarters. Most important importers, however, 

 handle American products. Rubber tires are also imported from 

 Japan. 



RUBBER EXPORTERS IN BATAVIA. 



The Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce can supply 

 a Ust of exporters of rubber at Batavia if reference is made 

 to file number 9546. 



RUBBER IMPORTED INTO AUSTRALIA AND SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 



Import figures for Australia and South Australia show that 

 Australia imported rubber goods during the year 1917-1918 

 amounting to $5,370,085, a slight gain over the figures for 1916- 

 1917, $5,274,921. During the year 1916-1917, South Australia 

 imported rubber and rubber goods to the value of $286,413. 



