RUBBER 491 



branches. It is a native of South America, and has been introduced 

 into Ceylon in 1907. The seeds are larger than, but not so hard 

 as, those of Ceara rubber; at Peradeniya they germinated in a 

 fortnight to three weeks, without tiling or other artificial aid. The 

 tree is adapted to a dry hot climate, thrives on a loamy soil, and is 

 tappable at three to four years from planting, yielding its maximum 

 return of rubber from the age of eight years onwards. In Brazil 

 the trees are planted about 6 or 7 feet apart, say 1,000 to the acre, 

 and a yield of about 1 Ib. per tree is said to be obtained, but 

 this requires confirmation. The trees are said to be tapped about 

 twice a month only, for about 9 months in the year. 



Remano Manicoba Rubber (Mnnihot Pi ait hye list's). Another 

 South American tree resembling the two former species, described 

 as reaching a height of only 8 to 15 feet, the branches being forked 

 two or three times. It has been introduced into Ceylon in 1908. 

 The tree is found in the state of Piauhy, and grows best in a light 

 sandy soil. Both this and the Jequie rubber are said to be superior 

 to Ceara rubber in yield, but they have not been found satisfactory 

 in Ceylon. The seeds are larger than those of the preceding 

 species, and, being less hard and horny, germinate more readily. 



Manihot heptaphylla. Another species of Manicoba rubber, 

 growing to about 20 to 25 feet in height, with dark-brown bark 

 and purplish twigs. The seeds are larger and paler than those of 

 Ceara rubber. 



Central American, or Ule Rubber. (Castilloa elaslica. Urti- 

 cac^ae). A tall quick-growing tree, with large oval leaves, native 

 of Central America, introduced into Ceylon in 1876. It is pro- 

 pagated by the white, papery seeds, which are of the size cf peas 

 and of short vitality; it thrives best at medium elevations, with a 

 rainfall of not less than 70 inches. The trees may be planted at 

 the same distances apart as Hevea, say about 150 to the acre, 

 thinning out afterwards to about 100 to the acre. They are tapp- 

 able at six to seven years of age when the yield should be about 

 100 Ib. per acre; at eight years old the yield may be 175 Ib. per 

 annum, and this should increase until at least the tree is about twelve 

 years old, when it is estimated that a minimum of 2 Ib. per tree a year 

 should be obtained. Unlike Hevea and Manihot, the tree cannot be 

 tapped at frequent intervals, the supply of latex becoming exhausted 

 after each tapping. In quality, the rubber is considered to be next 

 to Ceara rubber. High expectations have been formed of this 

 tree in Trinidad and parts of South America, but these have not 



