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January 28, 1899, a translation of an article on rubber prepared by Mr, 

 Jose Horta, of the city of Guatemala. Mr. Horta, adds the Consul-Gen- 

 eral, is an experienced agriculturist, and has handled the subject ably. 

 Extracts from his report are given below. 



" In Guatemala Castilloa elastica, Cerv., is found in the wild state 

 and covers an immense zone in Central America ; the rubber which this 

 tree produces is one of the best and most valuable for the industry. 



" The Castilloa ehi.stica is a tall, well-shaped tree, with smooths 

 greenish-white bark. At a height of from 15 to 20 yards from the 

 ground there start fro a the trunk (of spongy and porous wood) large 

 and almost horizontal branches, from which hang two rows of leaves, 

 long, oval in shape, and smooth edged (not toothed). 



The milk of the rubber tree, or its mercantile product, i? con- 

 tained principally in the fibres between the woody portion of the tree, 

 and the bark. This fibrous part is a vital portion of the tree. For 

 this reason, in making incisions in the bark to obtain the milk, it is 

 necessary to proceed with great caution and according to the 

 method described further on. 



" The milk contains more or less water, according to the time of 

 its extraction ; on an average it can be calculated to hold about 60 per 

 cent, water and other substances, and 40 per cent, saleable product ; of 

 this, approximately 33 per cent, is rubber of superior quality. 



" The climate most appropriate for rubber is the hot or coastal, with 

 a temperature of from 25 to 35 ° Celsius (93 ® to 103 ^ F.) and the al- 

 titude above sea level up to 1,500 feet. The ground should be moist, 

 deep, and loose ; neither clay nor stone. Rubber should not be planted 

 in the sun. We found our opinion upon the fo^^owing reasons : — 



" (1.) The nature of the rubber tree. 



" (2.) The trials made in Guatemala since 1872. 



" (3.) The consideration that, planting in the shade, there is ab- 

 solute certainty of a satisfactory result. 



" If the wild tree always seeks the shade of trees of greater growth 

 in the natural forests, it is because, by the help of these, its sap remains 

 in the state imposed by nature as a condition of its proper growth and 

 production. It is not the desire here to make a det:iiled study of the 

 tree ; but we wish to note that its leaves do not resist the sun, nor do 

 they, by the nature of their surface, oppose evaporation. It is clear 

 that without shade there is an evaporation which must ex- 

 ercise a harmful influence upon the production of the milk of the tree. 

 It should also not be lost sight of that on the Pacific Coast we have a 

 dry season for six consecutive months, very prejudicial to plantations in 

 the sun. Allow the rubber tree a high and well-distributed shade, with- 

 out undergrowth or brush, and the result will be healthy and robust 

 trees of rapid growth, long life, and abandant yield. It is a mistake to 

 wish to cultivate plants, such as coffee and rubber, requiring distinct 

 climatical conditions, soil, and atmospheres, with the desire of obtaining 

 good yields in both. The result is that neither one nor the other finds 

 the requirements necessary for proper development. It would appear 



