Rubber has been obtained from the " tkanda" tubers by various 

 crude experimental processes, but chiefly by slicing them * and 

 applying pressure. The latex is referred to as coagulatmg with the 

 application of alcohol, but not of alum. It has been suggested that 



mtrifugalization of the 



bber than has 



yet resulted from the experiments. Tubers two years old are 

 referred as attaining a diameter of 5 Hnches and a weight of 1 1-3 

 pounds, and a rubber yield of k per cmt of the total weight resu ted 

 from crude processes. Professor GeRALDES, who regards the plant 

 as adapted to cultivation, has figured out estimates _ of yield and 

 profits, but these must be regarded as yet as hypothetical, and need 

 not be repeated at this time. It may be mentioned, however, that 

 he regards as possible a product of 200 kilgrams of rubber per 

 hectare (-188 pounds per acre) at the end of two years. But his 

 estimate of the value of the rubber (about $1.28 per pound) is 

 clearly too high for the quality likely to be yielded from such a 



The term « potato rubber, " formerly sometimes used in the trade 

 did not, as some supposed, relate to rubber obtained from a sort or 

 tuber, but to the appearance of the small balls in which certain 

 rubber came to market, particularly " almeidina' a cheap gum ex- 

 ported in small quantities from Portuguese West Africa, but having 

 no relation whatever to the " Ekanda " product. 



Indii Rubber World, 1st July, 1907, p. 300. 



ESTATE REPORTS. 



The following extracts are taken from a Report of the Directors 

 o f the Vallambrosa Rubber Company, Limited, Third Ordinary 

 General Meeting of Shareholders dated 8th July 1907. " shows 

 m a most eloquent way the prosperity of our principal industry 

 Vallambrosa. 



Acreage.— 



Rubber in Tapping, 6 years and over ... — 93^ 



" '^planted through Coconuts and Coffee 7%\ 



Coconuts and Coffee ... - - A* 



felled and cleared for Rubber ... ... - °° 



bf ass and Building Sites ... ■•• - ^_ 



Total ... ^309! 



f^A— The amount of rubber harvested during the year was 

 lbs., which netted £40,255, or about 5 s. l\d. per lb. lhe 

 s of tapping, packing, and transport was is. per lb. 



