CURING AND PREPARATION OF RUBBER 93 



and absolute neglect of every principle of cleanliness 

 while the preparation of the latex is taking place. 



The disadvantages of the present system of manu- 

 facture are obvious. Any undue proportion of impuri- 

 ties reduces the selling value of the rubber, and 

 frequently it results in the classification in a lower 

 grade than should be the case after arrival at Manaos 

 or Para. Under existing conditions the pelles and 

 knapsacks contain an abnormally high percentage of 

 moisture ; they lose from 10 to 15 per cent, in weight 

 from the time of shipment at the estate to the date 

 when they are reweighed in Manaos or Para before 

 the sale is effected. A further loss of importance 

 occurs between the time of embarkation at Manaos or 

 Para and disposal to manufacturers in Europe or the 

 United States. These losses of weight represent extra 

 freight charges ; therefore the matter calls for most 

 serious consideration in view of the present crisis in the 

 rubber industry, and the fact that every fraction of a 

 penny per pound is of the utmost importance. 



In spite of the crude methods of the existing system 

 of preparing the latex, and the many disadvantages it 

 entails, there are several very strong points favourable 

 to it in connection with prevailing conditions in the 

 Amazon Valley. In the first place, the coagulation of 

 the latex in central factories means additional labour 

 and incidental expense on account of the wide distances 

 separating the estradas, and the consequent length of 

 time required to convey the daily yield to any central 

 point ; then the question of the quality of the latex 

 delivered by individual collectors would crop up, and 

 cause constant friction between the manager and the 



