288 RUBBER CULTURE IN HAWAII 



the Ceara trees planted some years before, which although few in 

 number, had not only matured remarkably, but had some excellent 

 rubber producers. This was rather remarkable, that is, the fact that the 

 trees produced latex, as the rainfall was nearly two hundred and fifty 

 inches, and with the experience of the Ceylon planters before them many 

 thought that the trees would be barren. The reason for this difference 

 perhaps lies in the fact that although the rainfall is great the evapora- 

 tion is very sudden so that the trees are led to expect a drought, which 

 never comes. The same company are also importing seed of the Heuca 

 from Ceylon and expect to plant that on a large scale 



With regard to the yield of the Ceara trees in the Nahiku planta- 

 tion, six small incisions produced an ounce of dry rubber, and this 

 tapping may be repeated once a week through the year. 



Mr. Jared G. Smith, who is in charge of the Hawaiian experiment 

 Station, is authority for the statement that the Manihot trees at Nahiku 

 landing have already produced a pound and a half of dry rubber a year. 

 This assures a good profit. He also mentions the recent incorporation of 

 two more planting companies but gives no particulars further than that 

 they are already planting and the young trees showing marvelous 

 growth. As several leading business men from Hawaii have recently 

 been in Ceylon and the Straits studying rubber culture it is quite likely 

 that future planting will be in part, at least, of the Hcrca. It is worthy 

 of note, that the principal rubber planting in Hawaii has been done by 

 settlers from the United States. These are small beginnings, but begin- 

 nings all the same. Just keep an eye on T. H. and see if in another 

 decade she is not producing good rubber as well as furnishing seed for 

 Formosa, the Philippines, Samoa, and other tropical countries. 



