6 RUBBER AND 



The story of the winning of the rubber seeds from 

 America is one full of romantic interest, and speaks 

 volumes for the enterprise and determination of the 

 collectors. The first seeds of Hevea to arrive at Kew 

 were probably those brought by Collins from the 

 Amazon in 1873. In 1875 Cross was shipwrecked 

 whilst on the way home with a consignment of Castilloa 

 plants and seeds. Nevertheless he managed to preserve 

 his precious collection and bring it safe to land. He 

 was sent out again to collect Hevea seed in 1877 and 

 was again successful. Although only a few of Cross's 

 Hevea seedlings were preserved, there must by this time 

 be a considerable number of trees growing in Eastern 

 plantations which are directly descended from the sur- 

 vivors of this consignment. Cross was also responsible 

 for the introduction of Ceara rubber to Kew about the 

 same date a less difficult feat owing to the greater 

 powers of resistance possessed by the seeds of Manihot. 



By far the largest and most important supply of 

 Hevea seeds to reach Kew was, however, that brought 

 home by H. A. Wickham in 1876. Wickham, who was 

 resident at the time in the rubber country of the Amazon, 

 was commissioned to supply seeds to the Indian Govern- 

 ment ; but the Brazilian authorities were naturally 

 opposed to the export of the seed, and it was a 

 remarkable chance which threw the required opportunity 

 in Wickham's way. An ocean-going steamer trading to 

 the Amazon was there abandoned by her supercargoes 

 without a return freight. Wickham boldly chartered 



