392 lFnfcia*1Rubl>er Culture in 



even according to these statements, a tree having attained its proper 

 dimensions in six years, and having had its sap extracted without 

 being cut down, would produce a quantity of rubber weighing not less 

 than six pounds. 



It is to be observed, as has been already said, that in order to con- 

 vert into rubber the sap that flows from the tree after making the in- 

 cision, it is necessary to let the watery part evaporate, which, according 

 to Prof. Faraday's analysis, which agrees with Dr. Ure's opinion, is 

 as much as fifty-six per cent., the remaining forty-four per cent, being 

 what is properly called rubber. Consequently, the sap coming from 

 the tree must lose at least that quantity before being converted into 

 rubber. 



8. METHOD OF EXTRACTING RUBBER WITHOUT DESTROYING THE TREE. 



The process of extracting the sap from the tree is also an important 

 point in determining the success of a plantation. In Soconusco a 

 method entirely primitive is used, which causes a great loss of sap, 

 prevents this from being pure, and, what is worse, kills the tree. 

 They begin by cutting down the tree, and then make various incisions 

 across the trunk with a machete, at a distance of three spans (twenty- 

 nine inches) from each other ; this being done, leaves from the tree 

 are placed below the incisions to collect the sap, which is afterward 

 poured into a gourd, and finally put in the jar. 



It seems to me that with so ruinous a system, less sap is obtained 

 than if the tree had not been cut down ; for I believe that, being no 

 longer in a vertical position, the force of gravity which causes the sap 

 to flow, ceases, and, consequently, the quantity drawn is less than if 

 the tree had been left standing to receive the same number of incisions. 

 When, by chance, they do not cut down the tree, they make only one 

 or two incisions in it at about the height of a man's stature; it is then 

 more difficult to collect the sap by the imperfect means of the leaves. 

 With this process, it frequently happens that earth, dry leaves, small 

 insects, and other foreign substances become mixed with the sap and 

 remain in the rubber, making it impure, causing it to fall into discredit 

 in the market, and greatly reducing its value. 



Believing that a more advanced method of collecting the sap was 

 used in Pard, I also made some inquiries upon the subject, to the 

 United States Consul in that province. The information he sent me 

 will be found further on. 



It is evident, that to extract rubber properly, a more adequate in- 

 strument than a machete is required; and to collect the sap a better 

 receptacle than the leaves used in Soconusco, or the clay used in 

 Brazil. I think it very probable that such instruments, if they are not 

 yet used, soon will be, in view of the need there is for them, and the 



