MARKET VALUES OF RUBBER 



97 



During the first six months of 1913 the price of plan- 

 tation Para gradually fell in comparison with that 

 of fine hard Para, and during June and July the latter 

 rubber was quoted as much as Is. per lb. above first 

 grade plantation Para. The course of the market is 

 shown by the following comparison of prices at different 

 dates : 



The xAirican rubbers prepared by the natives are mostly 

 of second quality and realise lower prices than fine hard 

 Para. The demand for these grades of rubber is, however, 

 usually very good, and their value is frequently higher 

 in comparison with that of fine hard Para than is 

 warranted by tlieir composition. The best of the native 

 African rubbers are the " niggers " — i.e. the Landolphia 

 rubbers prepared in the form of balls — and the highest 

 grades of this type always realise good prices. The 

 values at Liverpool of some typical grades of West 

 African rubber are given in the following list, taken 

 from the market report of Messrs. Taylor & Co. Fine 

 hard Para was quoted on the same date at 3s. lOd. 

 per lb., and fine plantation Para at 25. lid. per lb. 



Price per lb. (July 1, 1913). 

 s. d. 8. d. 



