7 
able  circumstances,  it  is  quite  conceivable  that  this  might  simply 
be  dissolved  away  by  a careful  alkaline  treatment,  in  which  case  a 
very  pure  rubber  indeed  might  be  obtained.  But  it  is  impossible 
to  devise  an  efficient  treatment  of  this  kind  without  a very  com- 
plete knowledge  of  the  bark  to  be  operated  upon. 
The  first  step  towards  the  desired  end  is  therefore  obviously  a 
thorough  chemical  examination  of  the  bark  referred  to  in  the  enquiry, 
India  Rubber  Trades  Journal.  September,  29th  1902. 
LAGOS  SILK  RUBBER  IN  TRINIDAD. 
Mr.  Hart  writes  that  he  has  been  testing  the  value  of  the 
rubber  fluids,  latex  or  milk  of  young  trees  of  Funtumia  elastica 
.Stapf,  at  the  Experiment  Station  at  St.  Clair,  and  has  found  excel- 
lent rubber  m'aterial  produced  by  trees  a little  more  than  three 
years  planted  The  latex  of  Funtumia  africana  Stapf.  has  also 
been  tested,  and  although  found  to  produce  a certain  amount  of 
rubber  material,  yet  it  is  sticky,  soft,  and  decidedly  inferior  to  the 
produce  of  Funtumia  elastica.  It  is  possible,  however,  that  its 
quality  may  improve  with  the  increased  age  of  the  trees,  as  is  the 
case  with  the  Central  American  rubber  tree  [Castilloa  elastica). 
Specimens  of  the  rubber  made  have  been  sent  to  an  expert  in 
England  for  examination  and  report.  The  rubber  produced  by 
Funtumia  elastica  is  solid  and  elastic,  resembling  “Para”  rubber 
in  appearance  and  probably  equalling  it  in  quality. 
The  presence  of  trees  of  the  inferior  Funtumia  africana^  at  the 
Experiment  Station  is  of  importance  as  a warning  guide  as  to  what 
should  or  should  not  be  planted.  The  two  species  were  recently 
determined  at  Kew  from  specimens  grown  at  the  Trinidad  Station. 
The  Agricultural  News,  Oct.  2^,  rg02. 
ANNUAL  REVIEW  OP  RUBBER  MARKET  FOR 
1901. 
Kramrisch  & Cos’  (Liverpool  and  London)  Annual  Review 
OF  THE  Rubber  Market  for  the  Year  1901. 
During  1901  the  Rubber  Market  has  not  been  characterized  by 
heavy  or  exceptional  fluctuations;  it  was  again  not  a particularly 
satisfactory  one  for  holders  and  importers  of  the  leading  grades,  and 
although  trade  remained  exceedingly  active  throughout  the  year, 
the  values  of  all  grades  of  Rubber  at  the  close  are  less  than  a year 
ago,  and  Fine  Para  shows  a further  recession  of  3^  per  lb.  and 
other  grades  in  proportion.  The  bulk  of  the  stocks  of  mediums 
has  gradually  been  exhausted,  although  it  must  be  admitted  that 
the  prices  realised  were  exceptionally  low  and  showed  an  enormous 
loss  to  the  importers  or  holders,  and  even  the  more  recent  imports 
were  disposed  of  at  prices  which  not  alone  showed  no  profit,  but 
in  most  instances  the  prices  realised  show  a considerable  loss.  The 
imports  of  important  medium  grades  have  fallen  off  considerably, 
