RUBBER PLANTING 25 



obtained from the trunk are closely similar both in 

 quality and relatively to the size of the tree in 

 quantity. The raw rubber contains somewhat more 

 resin than Hevea rubber, and, however carefully pre- 

 pared, is quite distinguishable from the latter. The 

 latex coagulates without acid, on the mere addition of 

 water. 



The leaves are generally three-lobed, and afford a 

 very dense shade, but the trees are markedly deciduous 

 and remain bare of leaves for a considerable period. 

 The seeds, which resemble those of the castor oil plant, 

 are very hard. They retain their vitality for a long 

 period, and do not germinate readily unless the shell 

 is filed through. The roots are tuberous like those of 

 the allied species Manihot utilissima, the cassava 

 plant. 



Owing to the difficulties which attend the tapping of 

 the stem, the wild Ceara rubber is often tapped at the 

 roots or very close to the ground. The latex is then 

 simply collected in small cavities in the ground, opened 

 wherever the subterranean organs are discovered. The 

 cavities are usually lined with clay or leaves, but such 

 a method of collection naturally leads to the production 

 of a very impure form of cake or lump rubber. " Ceara 

 scrap" is obtained by gashing the stems with a knife. 

 The latex oozes out and is allowed to dry upon the 

 bark. It is then pulled off in strings, which are 

 either rolled up into balls or put into bags in loose 

 masses. 



