176 
of  unappropriated  land  of  this  description  north  and  south  of  the 
Isthmus. 
Climate. — The  climate  of  Colombia  more  particularly  the  dis- 
tricts north  and  south  of  the  Isthmus,  is  a very  great  deal  better 
than  its  reputation.  I am  inclined  to  think  that  the  villainous 
climate  of  the  stretch  of  land  between  Colon  and  Panama,  and  the 
frightful  death-rate  amongst  the  canal  workers,  has  been  taken  to 
ap[)ly  without  distinction  to  the  high-lying  land  adjoining  the  dis- 
trict. But  it  must  not  be  forgotten  that  the  susceptibility  of  the 
negro,  at  any  rate  those  hailing  from  the  West  Indies,  for  zymotic 
diseases,  is  nothing  short  of  extraordinary,  the  death-rate  amongst 
them  even  from  measles  being  simply  appalling.  The  white  races 
under  the  same  conditions  enjoy  comj)arative  immunity.  More- 
(wer,  the  higher-lying  districts  adjoining  the  Isthmus  are  incompa- 
rably healthier.  There  is,  therefore,  no  reason  why  in  the  next  lo 
or  20  years  rubber  cultivation  in  Colombia  should  not  attain  to 
huge  dimensions.  Land  is  to  be  had  practically  for  the  asking,  the 
establishing  of  even  a large  rubber  plantation  is  incredibly  cheap, 
and  the  returns  are  large,  certain  and  permanent. 
RUBBER  IN  CEYLON. 
Mr.  J.  B.  Tennant,  of  Berredewelle,  Matale,  went  down  to 
Kalutara  in  September  to  inspect  the  Para  rubber  cultivation  on 
Culloden  Estate,  Neboda.  A “Standard’’  representative,  who  was 
in  Kalutara  on  Saturday,  in  a brief  conversation  with  Mr.  R.  W. 
Harrison,  the  manager  of  the  estate,  learnt  that  the  prospects  of 
Para  rubber  in  the  low  country  were  very  bright.  Recent  sales  in 
London  fetched  exceedingly  good  prices.  All  the  trees  have  been 
tapped,  and  are  yielding  very  freely.  Trees  have  been  planted  in 
all  parts  of  the  estate.  (Culloden),  which  belongs  to  the  Rose- 
haugh  Tea  Company  of  Ceylon,  and  is  the  best  estate  in  the  low 
country  where  Para  rubber  has  been  fully  planted,  Arrapolakande 
(also  in  Neboda)  coming  next.  Mr.  Harrison  informed  our  repre- 
sentative that  he  expects  an  output  of  nearly  ten  thousand  pounds 
this  year,  which  is  considered  a splendid  record.  Large  quantities 
of  seed  have  been  sent  to  Southern  India,  and  several  local  estates 
have  also  been  supplied.  Mr.  Harrison  used  to  do  a tremendous 
business  all  over  Java,  Sumatra,  the  Cape,  North  Borneo,  d hursday 
Island  and  Queensland.  Small  quantities  have  also  been  shipped 
to  London  and  Paris,  but  the  foreign  is  now  practically  over. — 
India  rnhher  and  Gutta  percha  Trades^  Journal, 
RUBBER  IN  AFRICA  AND  SOUTH  AMERICA. 
The  following  extracts  are  taken  from  an  article  by  Emile 
BonneCHAUX,  explorer,  published  in  “ Le  Vieux  Corsaire”; — 
With  the  extending  use  of  rubber  and  its  thousand  and  one 
applications,  a serious  question  presents  itself.  Will  the  forests 
