26i) 



Ma scare n has ia eiastica known in th * trade as Mgoa rubber, is 

 only found south of Dar-es-Salaam. 



Several trials have been made with other kinds of rubber. Hevca 

 Brasiliensis (Para rubber) has been planted repeatedly, but with- 

 out success, the climate being too dry. Ficus eiastica, L. Madagas- 

 cariensis, and an Euphorbia sp. ( from Madagascar) have done 

 fairly well. Castilloa eiastica, Hancornia speciosa, and Wil lough- 

 be/a, were each tried once, but the seed did not germinate. Mani- 

 hot Glaziovii (Ceara rubber) was first planted at Tanga in 1891. 

 There are at present about 20,000 trees, but it is feared that it will 

 not pay as the atmosphere is too moist. 



It is thought probable that Ceara rubber will do better in Donde 

 Barikiwa (Kilwa district), where a small experimental plantation 

 has lately been opened. 



The Decree which came into force on January 1st, 1898, forbid- 

 bing the export of impure rubber, was altered on June 7, 1900. 

 Such rubber, when met with, is to be confiscated by the authorities, 

 from whom it may be purchased by responsible European mer- 

 chants, who bind themselves not to sell the same as rubber of good 

 quality. 



Gutta-percha. — The Calotropis procera, shrub, which is often 

 met with in the plains, is said to yield guttapercha of good quality. 



Copra. — Several thousand Coco-nuts have been planted during 

 the year under review by the German Government. 



It is estimated there are over 1,500,000 palms in the colony. 

 The export of copra has increased considerably during the last 10 

 years. 



Gum arabic. — Gum arabic, the concrete juice which exudes 

 from the commonest of all the acacia trees of the East African 

 steppes {Acacia Senegal), is likely to form an important article of 

 export in the near future. 



Tanning plants. — The Acacia Catechu, the bark of which is 

 exported in large quantities from India and Burmah, grows wild in 

 most parts of the colony. Other trees which occur frequently in 

 German East Africa, and which are much used elsewhere for tan- 

 ning purposes, are Acacia Arabica, Pterocarpus erinaceus, and the 

 mangrove. 



Colouring plants. — Although plants containing colouring mat- 

 ter are now a days of little value, yet an examination is at present 

 being made of the wild Indigofcra, of the yellow wood of the 

 Cardiogyne Africana, of the yellow bark of the Ochna alboserrata 

 and the Zanthoxylon,, of the red-coloured Randeia malleifera, and 

 of the purple Cassia goratensis. 



Thousands of beautifully coloured hand-made mats of plaited 

 straw are exported yearly to Zanzibar, Arabia, and India. The 



(Note. — Mascarenhasia eiastica has been introduced into the Gardens in Singapore, 

 and seems to grow remarkably well. We want to know more about the value cf its 

 rubber. The statement as to Calotropis proccra producing gutta pereha is an error, 

 It only produces a very inferior rubber. Ed.) 



