212 
of the rubber they have confidence in the successful development of 
the industry. According to the statements made by the head of 
the company, “ Experiments had now satisfied them conclusively 
that the Guayule plant reproduces itself naturally and abundantly. 
The roots of the shrub extend to a considerable distance in a 
directions, and new shoots spring from the roots, growing satis- 
factorily even after the present shrub has been cut down. Opinions 
differ about the life of the plant and as to the suitable time for 
cutting, but the generally accepted view is that between ten and 
twenty years must elapse before maturity is reached and the plant 
contains sufficient rubber for commercial purposes.” A further 
despatch from Mr. Tower, printed below, gives some additional in- 
formation as to the successful development of the Guayule industry. 
Mexico, 
_ March 23rd, 1910. 
IR, 
Wir reference to my Despatch of this Series, No. 52 of 
December 3rd, 1906, and subsequent reports concerning the Guayule 
rubber industry in Mexico, I have the honour to report the following 
which has been published in the “ Mexican Herald” of the 19th 
instant :— 
“ More attention will be paid to the culture of Guayule during 
1910 than in any previous year. Statistics and reports in the 
Department of Fomento show that the increase in the production of 
this rubber-producing shrub has been greater than any other 
product of the northern section of the Republic. 
“ A few years ago the shrub only brought $25.00 (say £2 10s.) a 
ton in the open market. This price has risen very rapidly, as the 
splendid properties of the plant have become better known, until at 
the present time it is selling for $150.00 (say £15) a ton. 
“ At the present price the profit to the grower is large and is 
resulting in a greatly increased acreage in the Northern States of 
the Republic, where the plant seems to do the best. The estimates 
in the hands of the Department of Fomento indicate that the 
acreage for the present year will be more than 30 per cent. greater 
than that of last year.” ; 
I have, &c., 
Signed) RecginaLp Tower. 
The Right Honourable a eg 
Sir Edward Grey, Bart., M.P., 
&e., &e. 
industry by Professor F. E. Lloyd Sovak in the India a a 
his article opens with a short 
