698 RUBBER 



During October, November, and December, 1913, forty- 

 two trees, with an average girth of 21 J in., were tapped 

 fifty-seven times and gave a total yield of 85 oz. of dry 

 rubber, or an average of 2 oz. per tree. 



The above results compare very unfavourably with 

 some already published obtained in the Botanical Gardens, 

 Entebbe; but I understand the Entebbe trees died owing 

 to the severe handling. The Kampala trees are in a 

 thriving condition, and no ill-effects due to the tapping are 

 evident. 



With the product at a normal price Ceara rubber just 

 pays a native cultivator at these low yields, but for 

 European planters, with the ever-increasing cost of land 

 and labour, there is nothing left after payment of the 

 essential outgoings, and paying results cannot be looked 

 for unless means are evolved for obtaining more rubber 

 per tree with much less labour. 



Ceara rubber is being looked upon on many estates 

 as an excellent training ground for native labour to 

 ensure trained rubber tappers when the Hevea is ready to 

 be dealt with. 



Native cultivators have a fair acreage under Ceara 

 because it is very easy to cultivate, whilst the various 

 missions have over 200 acres under this rubber. 



European planters have just over 1,000 acres under 

 Ceara, but the tendency is for the area to shrink gradually 

 and more profitable crops to replace it entirely. 



Trials have been made with the allied Manihots 

 (M. dichotoma, M. Piauhyensis, and M. heptaphylla), but 

 these are less satisfactory as regards growth than 

 M. Glaziowi. The trees are so brittle that they suffer 

 severely from every windstorm. No tapping has yet been 

 done, but I see no reason to hope for any better results 

 in tapping than have been obtained from M . Glasiovn. 



