50 



ducers of rubber by artificial means have done everything but produce. 

 Indeed, they seem to lack knowledge as to what synthesis is. It is 

 specifically the building up of complex compounds by special reactions, 

 whereby their component radicals are so grouped that the resulting 

 substances are identical in every respect with the natural article. 



The producers of so-called synthetic rubber group themselves into 

 three classes. The first makes something of the oil substitute type 

 that may be used in connection with india-rubber, but no particular 

 value used alone. 



They hypnotize themselves into believing that it is practically 

 rubber. 



This is not synthesis ; it is silliness. 



The second class begins with crude rubber, fine Para preferably, 

 doctoring it with something like oil of wintergreen to thoroughly 

 disguise it, and by dark and mysterious ways and sleight-of-hand per- 

 formances produce for the edification of capital what they call 

 " synthetic rubber." 



This is not synthesis ; it is sin. 



The third class embraces honest, usually aged, scientists, who buy 

 most of the ingredients for secret formulae, upset all rules governing 

 chemical reactions (not knowing at just what point the inventor slips 

 the ace out of his sleeve), and produce "synthetic rubber." 



This is not synthesis ; it is senility. 



Not that it is claimed that synthetic rubber will never be attained. 

 It may be. But its first cost for years will probably make it only 

 the plaything of the laboratory. Indeed, so far distant does the pro- 

 duction of synthetic rubber seem, when one reviews the attempt 

 towards its production, that it is safe to say that when it does appear 

 the cradles of the land will also be filled synthetically. Not to hit in 

 any way the honest seekers for this ideal product, but for the guidance 

 of such geniuses as the one who is now in enforced retirement because 

 of his synthetic camphor claims, and who deserves " several years " 

 for robbing certain New Yorkers by his " synthetic rubber " claim, the 

 following working formula is submitted : — 



10 pounds Para rubber, 

 i gallon benzo. 

 i ounce oil of wintergreen. 



Mix thoroughly and evaporate the solvent, then thoroughly mix: — 



15 parts above mixture. 

 10 parts ignorance. 

 25 parts avarice. 

 50 parts duplicity. 



Compound in secret. 



(India-Rubber World, Vol. XXXVII, No. 4, pp. 101.) 



