123 
obtained in the way of harvesting. The plan of obtaining the 
rubber that my experiments led up to w. was, as soon as the leaves 
begin to e Hk remove the outer bark in vertical ‘steps of not 
exudes and drips on the surface as fast as discharged. In this 
process the strip of exposed bark is destroyed, but a vigorous tree 
will close in the bared part in the course of the year, if the width 
i a 
re than two inches, a 
per acre will, after the second year, require ly any expense in 
cultivation. As for harvesting, I collected 30 ibs. last January 
and E ebruary by one boy at 15 cents. a ded or say 23 cents. per lb., 
the local value being about 80 cents. Supposing each tree gave 
an average yield of i lb. per annum, and allowing 30 cents. for 
cultivation and collecting, 50 cents. would remain as profit, or R50 
per acre. It is well to have the Apes in the island, but it is not 
likely to be largely planted so long as there are other produets 
that pay better, or that are better indio, but a time may 
come when it will kep a strait.” 
In his Report for 1890, Dr. Trimem states :—“ Interest in Ceara 
rubber has of late years very much died away, the yield of rubber 
having been found too small to satisfy the planter’s expectations. 
Thus I have made no report on it since 1884. There are, howe 
ha 
S 
have realised very good Sa. Of course the quantities 
have st been large. One shipment of 4 cwt. fetched 1s. 834. to 
ls. 934. per lb. net, showing a profit here of about 37 cents. (of a 
rupee) perlb. A planter estimates the cost of collection at about 
36 cents. per lb., and reckons that trees of eight years old afford 
at least 3 ozs., whilst some ten years old gave half a pound. The 
collection is done in a somewhat primitive way during the dr 
After the outer flaky layers of bark 
h 
are picked off, the gene pim being quite like ‘Ceara scrap’ 
of seamen ‘put in in small te 
“The present opinion of aig rs seems to be that this kind of 
rubber pais to harvest, but not o cultivate, and they are prepare 
to destroy their trees to get the ty e on such a system 
ro y 
tree, so grown as to provide a crop annually ready for tapping.” 
A review of the ponen in 1893 is given by the /ndia-Rubber, 
Gutta Percha and Electrical Trades Journal of June 8 of that 
year :—* A few years ed fpi t hopes were entertained in Ceylon 
as to rubber culture. We regret that the spirited efforts made by 
many planters have not hitherto been so remunerative as was 
expected. A fresh instance is just to hand, e T 
Agriculturist for May, 1893, regrets to learn from Mr. Vollar that 
his rubber cultivation in Dumbara is not likely to be permanent. 
The Cearas were originally — for shade trees for the cacao, 
