TOO 



mention, and that is with regard to the edibility of latex. 

 Mr. Green mentioned the case of some molluscs that were able 

 to drink latex, and says he considers that this is perhaps some 

 slight evidence in favour of the idea that caoutchouc is not 

 actually present in latex as such, but that there is some other 

 material present from which the caoutchouc is formed. I 

 rather question whether that is sound evidence, because, if 

 I may put it to Mr. Green, would it not be the fact that the 

 digestive juices would coagulate the latex? 



CEARA RUBBER CULTIVATION AND MANUFACTURE IN 

 SOUTHERN INDIA. 



By RUDOLPH D. ANSTEAD, M.A., 



Planting Expert and Scientific Officer to the United Planters' 

 Association of Southern India. 



[ABSTRACT.] 



(1) Ceara Rubber (Manihot Glaziovii) is chiefly cultivated in 

 Mysore State, the Shevaroy Hills, and Coorg on a plantation 

 scale. It was introduced about 1880 as a shade for coffee, but 

 it proved too dense and was cut out. About 1900 experiments 

 were begun with it as a commercial source of rubber, but 

 incorrect methods of tapping were employed, and the idea was 

 abandoned. This difficulty has now been overcome, and since 

 1904 Ceara has been extensively planted. There are now some 

 3,000 acres of it in Mysore, 2,000 acres in the Shevaroys, and 

 12,000 in Coorg. 



(2) Most of the experimental work of recent years has been 

 carried out in Coorg, which is well suited to this variety of 

 rubber, as the Ceara tree can withstand considerable periods of 

 drought, and as a second string to coffee it appears to have 

 excellent prospects. 



(3) Like other crops, it responds to good soil and cultivation. 

 When first planted these points were neglected, and to this the 

 original failures were largely due. It is important that when 

 the tapping age is reached 80 to 90 per cent, of the permanent 

 trees should be tappable. 



(4) It is usual to plant the trees closely and afterwards to 

 thin them out. This is done by taking out all the weak trees; 

 the resulting irregularity of space does not matter. 



(5) When the trees are four to six years old they are ready 

 to tap, and two systems are adopted with young trees: (i) a 

 herring-bone system, making a fresh cut at each tapping; (2) 

 a vertical system. Older trees can be pared, the bark having 



