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yet that was the price touched recently. Prior to the developments 

 which have brought the manufacture of motor cars and taxicabs to 

 its present stage, the world's demands for rubber were met largely 

 by South America, and particularly by the Brazils, where the rubber 

 was obtained in its wild state. The requirements for tires have,, 

 of course, grown with the progress of the motor and taxicab in- 

 dustry, and are now enormous. 



It is recognized by close observers of the situation that the fu- 

 ture of the rubber market depends mainly upon the continuance 

 of the demand from the United States, a country which has been 

 buying very freely for some time. The motor-car industry in the 

 United States is expanding to a remarkable degree, it is reported 

 that the Americans contemplate putting 50 ooo cabs on the streets 

 of the principal cities of the United States ; and when it is stated 

 that each cab will require five tires to begin with, the significance 

 of this enterprise will at once be grasped. An illustration of the ad- 

 vance of the industry in the United Kingdom is found at our own 

 doors. Only five cabs were available for hire in Glasgow when 

 this form of locomotion was first started in the city ; now there are 

 forty. 



Fine Para rubber fell during the financial crisis in the United 

 States to be exact in February of last year to 66 cents (3 frs 40 c.)> 

 the lowest price which statistics show was ever obtained for the ma- 

 terial. The price recently was about $2,03 (10 frs 50 c.) per pound, 

 after touching $2,05 last week, but new crop Para for October 

 November delivery is at a discount of 25 cents per pound. While 

 so much depends upon the American demand, it is just possible 

 that even should this cease, prices may not fall either so soon or 

 to such an extent as expected, because it is well known that ma- 

 nufacturers are not carrying large stocks, and must come into the 

 market sooner or later. 



The total arrivals in Europe during the 1908-9 season (July to 

 June) amounted to 35 840 tons, and in the United States to 33 342,. 

 while the deliveries in Europe were 38 546, and in the United States 

 33 443 tons. The stocks in Europe were 2 944 tons, and in the 

 United States 810 tons. The world's total production was 70 587 

 tons, consumption 71989 tons, and the visible supply 5024 tons. 



