COST OF PRODUCTION 



in 



ing the yield per tree without additional labour; the 

 second, a substantial reduction in the cost of main- 

 tenance for the collector ; and the third is the suppres- 

 sion of all, or a very substantial part of, the export 

 duties and charges. Unless far-reaching and immediate 

 action is taken to cope successfully with these three 

 factors, production will decline rapidly, and in a very 

 few years the situation will become practically hopeless. 

 The very great importance of the rubber industry to 

 the general prosperity of Brazil is best shown by the 

 record of production for the past eighty-six years. 

 From 1827 to 1893 the returns are for the period 

 January i to December 31 ; from 1894 to date the 

 figures are for the crop season July I to June 30. Since 

 1827 the output has been 



Stock, 3,391 tons inclusive. f Stock, 1,500 tons inclusive. 



