THE NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES 235 



The temperature varies very slightly throughout the 

 rubber districts, as is shown by the following observa- 

 tions, taken in March, 1912 : 



The origin of the Sumatra rubber industry was the 

 severe depression in the price of coffee some twelve 

 years ago, due to the large increase in the Brazilian 

 output. A small area of rubber had been planted 

 previous to that period in the vicinity of the Bila River, 

 and it was known, therefore, that Hevea Brasiliensis 

 thrived on the east coast. The planters, looking for a 

 new product to take the place of coffee, were encouraged 

 to grow Para rubber by the successful results obtained 

 in the Malay Peninsula, and gradually the area culti- 

 vated with coffee was interplanted with trees grown 

 from seed imported from Vallambrosa and other well- 

 known estates in Malaya. The cultivation was fostered 

 by the Colonial Government, and promises were given 

 of freedom from internal taxation and export duty. 

 Following the lead of the coffee planters, a certain 

 number of tobacco growers also turned their attention 

 to rubber, and gave for that purpose a portion of the 



