io6 



RUBBER PLANTING ON THE 



and English gravitated together, and I heard many interesting facts 

 concerning the country and much concerning rubber planting. 

 The verdict of those who were not directly interested in the 

 business seemed to be that there was nothing in it, and 

 that rubber trees could never be grown. Indeed, one passenger said 

 flatly that he had been in the country a number of years, but he had 

 never seen a rubber tree, and- didn't believe they could be grown anyhow. 

 This did not seem to disturb the serenity of the planters who didn't 

 argue the matter at all, but let the others talk. We passed a rather 



LA JUNTA CORNER OF RUBBER FIELD ONE YEAR OLD. 



wearisome day on the train, stopping occasionally for meals and getting 

 them served more and more in pioneer fashion. I had intended to stop 

 off at Tierra Blanca, in the vicinity of which are large plantations, 

 but learning that the men whom I most wished to see were absent, I left 

 that for a later visit. Finally, at one o'clock in the morning, we reached 

 Achotal, the train returning at once and leaving us standing on the plat- 

 form of the only frame building in the place, the depot, which was 

 promptly locked. 



