3 



The rubber from this plant is so remarkably good that no time should be lost in submitting samples 

 prepared on the spot. The rubber cunnot seriously be deteriorated by any process likely to bo used in 



its r ^k ei , e -j 8 no ri ouot but that the examination of the natural juice of a plant, will in most cases enable 

 one to point out what precaution should bo taken to ensure the best result ; still the fact must not be lost 

 sight of, that such an examination might lead one to suggest methods difficult of being carried out under 

 surrounding circumstances. . 



The juice of the Fonteronia floribunda, yields roundly, one pound ot dry and washed caoutchouc, 

 or about twenty- two ounces of ordinary crude caoutchouc, as generally met with, per quart. 



A. About two and a half ounces of this product was recovered, the weight being that of washed and 

 dried article. In colour and strength it approaches more nearly to the better descriptions of Para-rub- 

 ber. Mixed with sulphur and treated, it vulcanized perfectly, being solid, firm, and strong. It is a 

 light colour when vulcanized. 



B. About one and a half ounce of this product was recovered when washed and dried. It was much 

 darker in colour than sample marked A. This remark applies also to the washed product, but it is not 

 nearly so tough as A. 



P S. — I omitted to state in the proper place, that the residual juice from which the caoutchouc 

 was recovered yielded less than half-an-ounce of solid, principally saline matter, gum &c. 



Samples accompanying this Report : — • 



Sample A washed and dried. 

 " A vulcanized. 

 " B washed and dried. 

 " B vulcanized. 



Note to samples. Small strips are enclosed for stretching &c. to ascertain strength, elasticity &c. 



Botanical Department, Gordon Town, P.O., Jamaica, 18th December, 1888. 



8m, 



I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. s s 6 * * 1 dated 7th inst., enclosing 

 copies of correspondence relating to an indigenous India Rubber plant ( Forsteronia fioribunda ), called 

 locally the " Milk Withe." 



2. I have visited Manchester where the plant grows, and examined its habit of growth in its native 

 woods. I have to thank the Rev. E. Bassett Key for his iutereot in the subject, and the assistance which 

 lie has given me. 



3. The " Milk Withe" is a liane, generally about as thick as a man's wrist, sometimes much thicker. 

 It grows in woods, climbing to the tops of the highest trees, and hanging in festoons from one tree to 

 another. The geological formation is that described in Sawkin's " Geology of Jamaica" as " White lime- 

 stone." The surface of the ground is exceedingly rough and difficult to traverse on account of the 

 sharp and jagged edges of the hard crystalline limestone. The soil is lodged in hollows of varying 

 extent and depth between the projecting limestone blocks. 



4. When a cut is made through the bark of the " Milk Withe", a milky juice flows out for about two 

 minutes, but a number of incisions are necessary before sufficient fluid is collected to fill afour-ounse bottle. 



5. A little of the juice poured on the palm of the hand, and rubbed up with the finger ccon co- 

 agulates. The addition of acetic acid to the juice does not hasten the coagulation, but a solution of alum 

 at once coagulates the caoutchouc, leaving as a residuum a liquid of a slightly greenish tint. Coagula- 

 tion takes place in the residual liquid after some time. Exposed in a shallow vessel to the heat of a 

 lamp, a considerable amount of vapour passes off, and the caoutchouc gradually coagulates, the process 

 being helped by stirring, until no residuum is left. 



6. Mr. Bassett Key has propagated the plant by cuttings, one of which 13 growing vigorously in the 

 Hope Gardens ; and probably in the proper season a large quantity of seed could be obtained. 



7. Experience alone can decide whether the collection of the caoutchouc would be a profitable under- 

 taking, but Messrs. Silver's Keport on the value o£ the India Rubber is so encouraging, that probably 

 owners of woods where the " Milk Withe" grows, will make the experiment of exporting it in sufficient 

 quantity to test the market. 



8. As the juice flows freely, and for a short time only, a boy could soon collect a large quantity 

 where the plants are abundant. An incision near the root appears to give the largest quantity, but 

 several successive incisions might bo made in the bark from the ground upwards as high as can be 

 reached. The liane should not be pulled down, as the leaves would be deprived of the near sunlight 

 the tops of the trees, and the plant would soon die. Care should be taken not to cut into the bark deeper 

 than is necessary, so that the wound may soon be healed by the formation of new bark. What amount 

 of cutting, the "Milk Withe" will endure can only be determined by observation. Collectors should 

 therefore first be carefully chosen, until certain rules can be determined upon for the guidance of others. 

 Exposure of the collected juice in a shallow vessel to the heat of the sun would perhaps be found suffi- 

 cient to <" agulate the caoutchouc. 



9. Il the export should prove to be a success, there ought to be no difficulty in propagating the 

 plant in the woods in large quantities, so as to multiply the amount available, and to Bupply the place 

 of plants which had become exhausted by constant incisions. A large area of land which is a-; present 

 almost v lueless would thus be utilised and be a source of profit. 



10. It would be desirable to publish the correspondence for the information of owners of property, 



I have &c, W. Fawcett, 



Director of Public Gardens and Plantations. 



The Hon. Neale Porter, C.M.G., Colonial Secretary. 



