The Supplement to the Tropical Agriculturist 



perfected, the manufacturing cost will be re- 

 duced to between 4d and 6d per lb. Professor 

 Perkin suggested that 2s 6d per lb would be the 

 probable selhog price for some years to come. 

 This calculation is based on the following con- 

 siderations :— It is probable that at a selliDg 

 price of 2s 6d per lb more than half of the 

 world's output of rubber would become un- 

 profitable to collect. This would include the 

 bulk of the wild rubber, including Para. It is, 

 therefore, probable that the §rst phase of the 

 inevitable struggle will be to leave the field 

 divided between plantation rubber and synthe- 

 tic rubber, and there is, of course, the possi- 

 bility that, with the demand for rubber steadily 

 increasing, it will be some years before it is 

 necessary for the manufacturers of synthetic 

 rubber to lower their prices to such an extent 

 as to seriously interfere with the plantation 

 industry. — We are, &c, 



For Strange and Graham, Ltd., 

 E. HALFORD STRAJNGE, Director. 

 50. City-road, E.C., 20th June. 

 — Financial Times June 21. 



MORE SUBSTITUTES AND SYNTHETIC 

 RUBBERS. 

 A SUBSTITUTE FROM SEAWEED. 

 " Seagumite" : 

 Considerable attention has been aroused dur- 

 ing the past few weeks (says Chambers's Journal 

 for May) by the apper.rance of a substitute for 

 india-rubber, vulcanite and leather, under the 

 name of seagumite. It is the discovery of a 

 London chemist, and the fundamental material 

 from which it is made is seaweed. Seeing that 

 this article is so abundant around our coasts, 

 the possibility of being able to turn it to valu- 

 able commercial account not only opens up a 

 new industry, but at the same time finds an ec- 

 onomic marktt for what at present is virtually 

 useless. The method of manufacture is a secret; 

 but, judging from the results of the trials to 

 which the ne* substauce has been submitted 

 under arduous everyday conditions, it appears 

 to have a great future in many ramifications of 

 commerce. Seagumite is not only damp-proof, 

 non-inflammable, and germ-proof, but is not 

 affected by heat, cold oils, or exposure to wea- 

 ther. It can be made as tough as desired, and 

 consequently is an 



EXCELLENT SUBSTITUTE FOR VULCANITE. 



To the electrical trade this is of far-reaching 

 importance, as it brings into vogue a new and 

 cheaper medium said to possess all the insulat- 

 ing properties of india-rubber, from which vul- 

 canite is prepared. 



A series of tests were carried out with this 

 composition at the Westminster testing labora- 

 tories, and it was found capable of withstanding 

 a test of thirty-two thousand volts. As a pack- 

 ing material io steam-engines it has proved 

 highly serviceable, and stands the work excel- 

 lently ; while the fact that it withstands the 

 action of chemicals and acids extends its sphere 



of usefulness still more. It can be used for the 

 manufacture of motor-tires just as easily; it is as 

 resilient as rubber, and costs about 30 per cent, 

 less than the rubber tire. Boots and shoes can 

 be made from it ; and not only is the footgear 

 lasting and hygienic, but its damp-resisting 

 quality is its most attractive feature. Com- 

 pared with leather, boots can be made of seagu- 

 mite for about half the price. Wherever leather 

 or vulcanite is used, seagumite is equally appli- 

 cable, and for the most part with far better re- 

 sults. It is practically unbreakable, is almost 

 imperishable, and completely fireproof, the blast 

 of a gas blow-pipe only slightly charring the 

 surface. 



A factory is being erected for the manufacture 

 of this substitute, with an output of six tons 

 per week at first; but should the anticipations of 

 those concerned in the exploitation of this dis- 

 covery be fulfilled, and the material prove equal 

 to the article which it is devised to displace, the 

 output will have to be increased very consider- 

 ably, as a heavy demand is certain to ensue. 

 Indeed, already the various industries to which 

 the substance makes appeal are displaying prac- 

 tical interest in the development. 



ARTIFICIAL RUBBER FROM SEA FISH. 



Our Brussels Correspondent states that it is 

 announced that progress is now being made 

 with the erection at Ymuiden, in Holland, of 

 works for the manufacture of artificial rubber 

 according to the process of a M.VanderHeyden. 

 The raw material is principally sea fish, to which 

 15 to 16 per cent, of natural rubber is added, 

 and afterwards treated by secret process. The 

 product obtained is said to be as flexible and 

 elastic as natural rubber, capable of being vul- 

 canised rapidly, and insensible to the action of 

 benzine and heat. The by-produsts may serve 

 for the manufacture of artificial manure, and 

 the cost of production is said to be very low. 

 —London Times, May 30. 



SUMATRA TEA PROSPECTS. 



When in Sumatra last year I wrote at : Jie 

 length on the possibilities of tea cultivation in 

 conjunction with rubber in that island, and ven- 

 tured the opinion that the experiments then in 

 operation would give rise to extensions on a 

 more ambitious scale. The shrubs I saw had 

 made exceptionally strong and healthy growth, 

 and expert opinion upon the manufactured leaf 

 was to the effect that the tea was of similar 

 value to average lowcountry Ceylon. It is now 

 reported that one estate in the East Coast dis- 

 trict is extending an experimental 500 acres to 

 one of 1,500 acres, while several plantations at 

 a greater elevation are pushing rapidly ahead 

 with the new cultivation. With the enormous 

 growth in the demand for which Australia will 

 be responsible in future years, there appears 

 to be a great future for tea in the Netherlands 

 Indies. Java has already established itself as 

 a producer, hence the progress of tea-planting 

 in Sumatra will be watched with much interest. 

 — E. L. Killick. — Financier, June 18. 



