5*3 



claimed, it will simplify a great problem in electricity, the insula- 

 tion of ocean-cables. 



A scientist who discovered the method asserts that he is able to 

 make an equally-good insulator out of ordinary peat. 



So far, gutta-percha is the only substance which has been found 

 to furnish perfect protection for a wire against the chemical influ- 

 ences of salt water, and the product is not only limited, but is 

 practically controlled by a few manufacturers, who own the forests 

 in the East Indies from which gutta-percha is obtained. 



The price of gutta-percha has been gradually increasing for 

 years owing to the enormous demand, and the supply is diminish- 

 ing; so that if the scientist's discovery proves successful he will 

 contribute greatly to the world's economy. 



In Ireland there are 3,^00,000 acres of bogland which are at 

 present useless, while in Scotland 2,500,000 acres will be at the 

 inventor's disposal. — Central African Times. 



RUBBER PLANTING IN COSTA RICA. 



To the Editor of the 



Tropical Agriculturist, Colombo, Ceylon. 

 Dear Sir, — 



As far back as January last I promised to write you an article 

 on Rubber-p'anting in the San Carlos Valley, and intended at that 

 time to have made a trip over there and to furnish some newer 

 information and experiences acquired personally. This I have not 

 been able to do ; when we got through with the handling of the 

 past coffee-crop about the middle of March, I was taken with acute 

 neuralgia in the head and from this I am still suffering. I had, 

 therefore, to avoid myself of the kindness of Mr. ALFRED LONG, 

 an American, who is settled in the San Carlos valley on quite a 

 large scale, for most of the information that follows. Mr. LONG 

 returned a few days ago, after spending about two weeks, visiting 

 the more settled parts of the valley. 



Mr. Theodore Koschnev, well-known to you and to the read- 

 ers of the Tropical Agriculturist, is without doubt the oldest 

 living of foreign settlers in the San Carlos Valley, as well as the 

 most practical of Rubber planters, his experience running back 

 over some 25 years in the district. Strange to say that, though at 

 all times interested in Rubber for the purpose 3 of trade, his own 

 plantation should consist of Rubber trees not over two years old, 

 which he has planted and kept up in a way dictated to him by his 

 own observations, and all his plantation is so far of very good 

 promise. 



Mr. KOSGHNBY'S method of planting calls for the preparation of 

 a seed bed six or eight months previous to planting, and as handy 

 as possible to the plantation, and the felling of the virgin forest to 

 admit of a liberal amount of sunshine on the ground, leaving it 

 under what his termed "light shade." This felling is quite a mat- 

 ter of judgment with the planter, and he varies it according to the 



