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whose only object has been to obtain as large a quantity as 
possible of a marketable character, without any re rd to the 
any localities the rubber trees have been so ruthlessly cut 
down or tapped, that they have been almost annihilated. In 
others, the preparation of the rubber is of so rude and unsatisfac- 
tory a character, that the waste must be enormous, Under these 
circumstances it is most important to extend knowledge of the 
subject, and it is to be hoped where rubber trees still exist under 
British influence, that careful steps will be taken to regulate the 
od or bleeding, and to replant areas already den uded of trees. 
the special instance of the rubber industry at British 
aiu ras we nay e been lately EL with the following 
correspondence : 
COLONIAL OFFICE to ROYAL GARDENS, KEW. 
* Colonial Office, Downing Street, 
SIE 11th November, 1887. 
* I AM directed by Secretary Sir Henry Holland to transmit 
“to you a memorandum on the cultivation and preparation of 
* india-rubber, which has been prepared by Mr. Alvan Millson, 
* who was formerly a district magistrate in British Honduras, and 
* has now been appoi inted to be a district commissioner in the 
* colony of Lagos 
* 
“I am to request that the Kaa which is sent in 
original, may be returned with your reply. 
“Tam, &c. 
D. Morris, Esq. (Signed) JOHN BRAMSTON." 
NOTES on CASTILLOA RUBBER TREE of BRITISH HONDURAS, 
by MR. ALVAN MILLSON. 
There is but little to be added to the admirable account given 
by Mr. Morris (now of Kew) of the Castilloa elastica in his book 
on the colony of British Honduras; but the cultivation and 
preparation of india-rubber is of daily increasing importance, and 
there is little doubt that information which in any way lessens 
the difficulties at present encountered in PME with this artiele 
is worthy of statement and examination 
Cultivation.—The details I am able to give with regard to the 
cultivation of the rubber tree are mainly foun ga on hearsay 
evidence, bu y of them have also come un my own 
observation. The present methods may be amined ep two 
heads :— 
(i.) Cultivation as a shade tree for other crops, and 
(ii. Cultivation for its own sake. 
(i.) The rubber iree is a tap-rooted tree, of small foliage area, a 
lover of deep moist, clayey loam, well shaded by undergrowth, 
and appears to need surrounding low bush to force it to its full 
height. 
