w^ °^^ 



i 



58 GOODYEAR ON GUM -ELASTIC. 



treated of in this work, that which needs to be most insisted on 

 is, that the gum should not be smoked, and should be kept clear 

 from intermixture with any foreign substances. The state of the 

 gum in other respects, and the size and shape of the masses, are 

 of little consequence. Owing to the difference between the 

 trees of India, and those of South America, and to the differ- 

 ence in the flowing of the sap, and other circumstances, differ- 

 ent ways may answer best in different countries, taking into 

 consideration the mode of transportation, and always bearing 

 in mind that the gum should not be long exposed to a hot sun. 

 If it is drawn upon hides, or into ceroons made of hides, they 

 should not be greasy, for although grease may be mixed with 

 the gum in the process of vulcanizing, without harm, and some- 

 times even with advantage, this cannot be done v/ith the native 

 unvulcanized gum without destroying it. 



The writer worked different lots of gum, collected in ceroons 

 and casks, and also on hides, as eai-jy as 1835. These parcels 

 of gum were of the very best quality, although they were in a 

 filthy state, and for this reason, had been suffered to remain in 

 the hands of the importer for years ; and also, for the reason 

 that at the time it was imported, there was little or no sale for 

 gum of any description, unless it had been smoked by the na- 

 tives, and submitted to the Indian process of curing with the 

 wasson palm-nut, which was then necessary, in order to render 

 it fit for the use of the American or European manufacturer. 

 The shippers of these parcels, probably did not know the reason 

 why the article was undesirable ; and probably do not now know, 

 that the same article would now bring the very highest price, if 

 clean, notwithstanding the offensive odor, which is usually con- 

 sequent upon the gum being collected in these ways, and being 

 left to coagulate in the whey. When drawn into ceroons, the 

 whey discolors the gum, and when dried in it, becomes hard, and 

 has the appearance of loam ; but this is softened and washed out 

 with hot water, and the unnatural, tainted odor, is dispelled in 

 the process of manufacture. 



