402 



PARA RUBBER ON THE GOLD COAST. 



Mr. JOHNSON publishes his annual report for 1905, in which he 

 gives some account of the progress of Rubber-culture, in the Gold 

 Coast. Para rubber seems there to be more satisfactory than even 

 the local rubber trees, for he says that attempts to extract rubber 

 from Ofruntum (Funtumia elastica), Ceara and Assam rubber trees 

 were again unsatisfactory, A large tree of the local Ficus Vogelii, 

 yielded \ \ lbs. dry rubber of inferior quality. No returns are given of 

 tapping Para rubber, but the growth appears to be excellent. Thus 

 the diameter of : — 



3 years old trees is 6*5 at 3 feet from the ground. 



4 



do. 



10* 



do. 



5 



do. 



12' 



do. 



6 



do. 



16- 



do. 



10 



do. 



27- 



do. 



12 



do. 



40- 



do. 



Of seed, 168,000 seeds were distributed and 13,000 seedlings are 

 ready for distribution in the rains. They will be sold at eighteen 

 pence a dozen which is certainly cheap enough. 



H. N. R. 



EXHAUSTION OP WILD RUBBER. 



In Africa. 



Every year the consular reports show how more and more the 

 African rubber supply is diminishing and those for 1905 continue 

 the tale. 



The report for Angola says some ten years ago rubber grew 

 exuberantly in many districts of Angola and merchants derived a 

 profitable trade from its export which reached some 3,000 tons per 

 annum. The wholesale devastation of the rubber forests which has 

 extended over a lengthy period is now being perceptibly felt by 

 the dealers who are beginning to realize that their sources of supply 

 are rapidly becoming exhausted. The gathering of the rubber is 

 left in the hands of the natives of the hinterland who are injuring 

 all the trees by ruthlessly cutting them down and over-milking. 

 No attempt at systematic planting has been made except on the 

 initiative of individual planters. The output is consequently steadi- 

 ly declining and will soon become insignificant unless measures are 

 speedily taken to check the flagrant spoliation of otherwise fertile 

 districts by adopting scientific methods of culture. "The principal 

 rubber regions of Ambuellas and Luchases lie between the rivers 

 Longa and Quando where seeds and living plants are being col- 

 lected for the creation of an experimental Station of Fort Princeza 

 Amelia, Cubango " In the Consular report for Gambia we read too 

 "The decrease in rubber must I am afraid be a continuing one as 



