696 RUBBER 



is transmitted through the soil to the living roots. It is 

 for this reason that when thinning' operations are in 

 progress all the trees removed are dug out with as many 

 roots as possible. Trees attacked by the disease are dug 

 out as soon as they are noticed, and the soil round them 

 is thoroughly treated w r ith lime. 



As a result of the work done on this product during the 

 last five years in South India, the following tentative 

 conclusions have been arrived at : 



(a) That Ceara rubber can be successfully grown and 

 tapped at elevations and under climatic conditions which 

 render the cultivation of Hevea rubber unprofitable. 



(b) That the best planting distance is originally 15 ft. 

 by 15 ft., and subsequent thinning should be done by 

 removing all weak and overshaded trees independently 

 of their position in the rows. 



(c) That it is advisable to wait until the trees are 5 to 

 6 years old before beginning to tap them. 



(d) That the best method of coagulation is with hot 

 water in a dark room; and 



(e) That given care and good cultivation Ceara rubber 

 will pay. During* the last twelve months, with the price 

 of rubber phenomenally low, a profit of lojd. per Ib. was 

 made. 



It is not recommended to grow Ceara rubber in prefer- 

 ence to Hevea in districts and at low elevations suited to 

 the latter; but in the hill districts, at elevations of 800 to 

 5,000 ft., with a rainfall of 50 to 80 in., where Hevea will 

 not grow at a profit, there is every reason to believe that 

 Ceara will prove a valuable asset, especially in conjunction 

 with another crop, such as coffee. 



