7 



These seeds as well as plants raised from the seeds sent by Mr. 

 Kowe have been distributed to the Botanical Stations and Gardens of 

 India and the Colonies. 



In consequence of this last consignment of seeds a correspondence 

 was opened up with Mr. O'Suliivan Beare, N. B. M.'s Consul at Bahia, 

 on the subject. The following is an extract from his report : — 



" The export of rubber from the State of Bahia has increased 

 more than tenfold within the past six years, having risen from 100 tons 

 in 1900 to over 1,100 tons in 1906. 



" It has lately been discovered that the State of Bahia is very 

 rich in a rubber producing tree locally known as " Jiquie Manitoba." 

 The tree in question is a new and distinct species of Manihot, which 

 apparently is peculiar to the State of Bahia." 



" This discovery is a matter of much importance not only for this 

 state but also for the rubber trade in general inasmuch as the rubber 

 obtainable from the Jiquie Manitoba when properly prepared, would 

 seem to be equal in quality to the best product of the Para region. (?) 



It appears that this Manicobaof Bahia is a tree attaining a height 

 of 30 feet and more with a diameter of some 2 feet when fully matured 

 in suitable soil. It belongs to the family of Euphorbiaccce as does also 

 Hevea brasiliensis, and its scientific name is Manihot di$hotoma." 



Mr. O'Suliivan Beare says that already several Fazendeiros have 

 begun to lay down plantations of the tree upon a large scale and that 

 the Government of the State is shewing special attention to its syste- 

 matic cultivation and to the preparation of the rubber. 



He also states that a planter established in the Jiquie district 

 recently prepared a quantity of rubber from wild trees growing in 

 the district and despatched it to New York. The consignment was 

 classified in the New York market as being equal to the best Para and 

 it fetched $1.20 (5/-) per lb. 



As to the Piauhy Manitoba, (Manihot piauhy ensis) we are told 

 very little, but Dr. Ule in his discretion says it forms a smaller tree 

 from 6 to 16 feet in height, and differs in having spartite leaves with 

 broader tips. 



The method of collecting the rubber from these two species differs 

 considerably from that in use for Manihot Glaziovii (Ceara.) The 

 greatest drawback with the latter is the extreme hardness of the bark, 

 but in the two species under discussion the bark would appear to be 

 much softer especially that of M. clichotoma. With this tree the season 

 for collecting the rubber is said to be from August to March. 



The latex coagulates very freely and requires no acid or artificial 

 coagulant of any kind. 



The trees are at their best from eight years onwards but are said 

 to yield latex during their third and fourth years from the time of 

 planting. 



The stems are cut in wavy lines by means of a knife which from 

 the description given resembles a farriers knife. A cup is fixed in the 

 usual manner to collect the latex which soon coagulates and is pressed 

 by hand in balls and afterwards throughly dried. 



The method of obtaining the latex from Piauhy or Romanso 

 Manicoba (Manihot piaulujcnsiid is stated to be almost identical only 

 slightly modified owing to the shorter stems and slightly harder bark. 



