IN COSTA RICA 193 



Although we had not come to Costa Rica particularly to look up 

 rubber, there was one plantation that I was anxious to examine, which 

 was said 'to contain over one hundred thousand Castilloas, most of 

 which had been interplanted with bananas. These trees were three or 

 four years old, and planted by one who had had much experience in 

 tropical forestry throughout Central America. The Importer was so 

 pleased with the city of San Jose and so relieved to get out of the heat 

 of the lowlands that he decided to stay there, while the Manufacturer 

 and the writer took another plunge into the hot country. We, therefore, 

 left him for a further exploration of the city, and getting up at day- 

 break, boarded the train and retraced our steps, sliding slowly downward 



RAILROAD ON THE WAY UP TO SAN JOSE. 



for hours, until we reached the lower levels. The journey downward 

 was even slower than the climb, as the engineer must be on the lookout 

 constantly for falling rocks and for landslides, and I fancy he is also 

 particularly careful not to let the train get away from him, which, with 

 the number of cars and the heavy freight carried would seem to be 

 a not unlikely happening. We therefore enjoyed afresh the magnificent 

 scenery, and before we got down to the tropics, the lovely, springlike 

 weather. 



Reaching the plantation, we were warmly welcomed by the planter 

 in charge, who got us horses and took us over the planting. It was the 

 dry season and there had been no rain at all for five days, but the ground 



