BRAZIL AND THE EAST COMPARED 119 



of his time to the task as he pleases, and receives pay- 

 ment for results only. 



With collective force methodical practices become 

 an absolute necessity ; with individual energy the line 

 of least resistance is followed by instinct, and the out- 

 come is often slovenly and uneven. If the work on 

 the plantations of the Orient is compared with the 

 exploitation of the rubber-trees in the Amazon Valley, 

 the truth of this definition becomes apparent at once, 

 and it is to the fundamental principles thereby involved 

 that the great difference in the conditions of the rubber 

 industry in Brazil and the East is due. It is more 

 convenient to contrast the general physical features of 

 the two centres of production to illustrate clearly the 

 dissimilarity in existing conditions. 



In the Orient the rubber-trees are carefully and 

 systematically cultivated, and all possible assistance 

 extended to foster rapid development and afford pro- 

 tection against disease. In Brazil the tree is a natural 

 product of the forest, and no effort whatever is made to 

 aid its growth or check the spread of pests of any kind. 

 In the East the seed is selected with care, planted in 

 specially prepared nurseries, and the young trees trans- 

 ferred subsequently to properly prepared land where 

 the conditions afford every possible chance for both 

 branch and root growth. 



In Brazil the trees are self-sown, and only a very 

 limited proportion of those germinating come to 

 maturity in the dense shade of the surrounding forest. 

 The acreage of planted trees in the Amazon " Valley is 

 of such limited extent that it does not affect the general 

 conditions, and calls for no special consideration. 



