396 Un&ia^lRubber Culture in fl&ejico. 



44 TAPACHULA, SOCONUSCO, MEXICO, 

 4 ' September 26, 1872. 



11 James B. Bond, Esq., United States Consul, Pard, Brazil : 



" DEAR SIR : I beg you to pardon the liberty I take in asking you for some informa- 

 tion relating to the culture of the rubber- tree in the Province of Para, in the Empire 

 of Brazil, that branch of agricultural industry being destined to a great future in 

 Mexico. I will thank you very much if you will do me the favor to furnish me with 

 whatever data you may have upon the following points : 



44 i. Is the rubber-tree wild or cultivated in Para? 



" 2. When forming a plantation of rubber-trees, are the seeds sown, are slips 

 planted, or are saplings transplanted ? 



" 3. How long does it take for the tree to produce rubber after being planted? 



11 4. What is the yield of a tree per year? 



44 5. How often is the rubber extracted from the tree ? 



44 6. What is the best way to extract the rubber without injuring the tree ? 



44 7. How many different kinds of rubber are produced in Para, and what are 

 their particular qualities ? 



44 8. At what distance from each other must the trees be planted ? 



14 9. Does the rubber-tree require to be planted in the sun or in the shade for its 

 best development ? 



44 10. What climate and soil are most favorable to rubber-trees ? 



11 II. What is the height of rubber-trees, and the diameter of the trunks at dif- 

 ferent ages ? 



44 12. What is the estimated value of each tree, and what the cost of extracting the 

 rubber ? 



44 13. What is the annual production of rubber in Brazil ? 



44 1 will be very much obliged to you if you will have the kindness to answer in 

 detail, as far as may be possible, each of the preceding questions, addressing your 

 communication to this place, via Panama, by the Pacific Mail steamers, or through 

 the Legation of the United States in Mexico. 



44 1 am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



44 M. ROMERO." 



On my return to the City of Mexico, I received the following 

 answer to the above letter : 



44 NEW YORK, October 22, 1872. 

 " Senor DonMatfas Romero, Tapachula, Mexico : 



44 DEAR SIR, I received your letter of the 24th of September last, and, although I 

 am no longer consul at Para, having resigned that position last year, and as the new 

 appointee has not yet reached his post, and could not probably answer your questions 

 until well acquainted with that country, I shall give you all the information in my 

 power that can interest you. 



44 1. The rubber-tree is a spontaneous product of nature in Brazil, and unculti- 

 vated. 



44 2. It can grow from seeds, but then, to reach maturity, it will, of course, re- 

 quire a longer time than if propagated by transplanting. 



4< 3. The time required for the planted tree to be in a proper state to extract the 

 rubber profitably, depends, necessarily, upon the quality of the soil and other favor- 

 able conditions for its development. In the localities where it has been extracted for 



