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The Supplement to the Tropical Agriculturist 



different order from that of such comparatively 

 simple crystallisable bodies as vanillin or even 

 indigo. 



However, at the present price of rubber, a 

 synthetic commercial rubber of passable physical 

 properties would not only be a boon, but a lucra- 

 tive discovery. Patents have been taken out, 

 and even companies floated for the production 

 of synthetic rubber, but nothing visible has 

 appeared as yet ! 



It is important also here to draw a clear dis- 

 tinction between a true synthetic caoutchouc 

 and the so-called artificial rubbers. These latter 

 are merely substitutes or adulterants, and would 

 be discarded if raw rubber were cheaper. They 

 are prepared chiefly from oils, linseed being 

 considered the best. 



It is, of course, not the purpose of this paper, 

 even if the writer had the necessary knowledge, 

 to deal with the chemistry of caoutchouc. This 

 part of the subject has already received full 

 treatment in the pages of Science Progress. Suffice 

 it here to say that through the important re- 

 searches of Prof. Harries, attention is now beirjg 

 directed towards the synthesis of caoutchouc 

 from carbohydrates. This investigator has shown 

 good reasons for regarding caoutchouc as related 

 to the pentoses, and so it is suggested that in the 

 plant it may be derived from such sources. 

 Concluding Remarks. 

 This new industry then appears to have a most 

 hopeful future before it. The time, however, has 

 by no means arrived when Managers of estates 

 can content themselves with any rule-of-thumb 

 methods. Eastern planters seem fortunately 

 well alive to this, and now recognise the value 

 of true scientific help. A Manager of a well- 

 known estate has recently put in print some 

 admirable "Conclusions" on rubber cultivation. 

 One of these reads : — " The text-books on rub- 

 ber-planting should only be regarded as historical 

 works "—a maxim, I venture to say, of wide 

 application. 



Everything connected with this novel culti- 

 vation is still largely in the experimental stage. 

 It is a pleasing sign to see Directors of Compa- 

 nies deliberating upon the advisability of 

 employing scientific experts on their estates. 

 Considering that such enormous profits are now 

 being* made by the older Companies, a small 

 fraction of their receipts might well be spent in 

 this way. Planters should not be content with 

 the scientific assistance rendered by the Govern- 

 ment alone. A superintendent of an estate has 

 not the time at his disposal, nor probably the 

 necessary training, for carrying out laboratory 

 experiments, or for keeping a sharp look-out for 

 the initial stages of disease — a vital point. Joint 

 experts for several neighbouring estates might 

 well be employed. Money so spent upon plant 

 sanitation should be regarded in the light of 

 insurance. 



It is also gratifying to note that this new 

 tropical industry is almost wholly of British 

 origin. The seeds were collected in Brazil and 

 transhipped by an Englishman, Kew raised the 

 young plants and sent them to the Middle East. 

 The Botanic Garden Departments there took 

 charge of the trees and made the first tests 

 upon them, bringing their cultivation to the 

 notice of the planting community. The planters, 



once realising the possibilities of this new un- 

 dertaking, took it up with their characteristic 

 energy and daring, and have already brought 

 it to a surprisingly successful issue with bright 

 prospects opening ahead. Thus as a nation we 

 have taken the lead in this new cultivation. 

 May we not lose our hold upon it through pay- 

 ing too much heed to immediate gains, and too 

 little thought to the more distant future ! 



The subject has further an Imperial aspect. 

 The foundations have now been truly faid for 

 making the British Empire before long self- 

 supporting in regard to this valuable raw 

 material. — M. Mail, May 11. 



STATISTICS OF PA RA RUBBER. 



The following figures, which include Peru- 

 vian, are compiled by Messrs. Lewis & Peat, 

 and are for the month of April : — 

 Visible Supply. 

 (1st May.) 



1910 1909 1908 1907 

 tons. tons. tons. tons. 

 1280 720 2078 955 

 460 490 1226 480 

 510 940 1250 1040 

 90 975 820 510 

 30 120 310 150 

 2180 1920 1400 1460 

 140 580 300 560 



Stock in ( Para 

 Liverpool ( Caucho 

 , , Para 

 ,, America 

 ,, on Continent 



Afloat to Europe 

 ,, America 



Total Visible Supply 

 including Caucho 



4690 5745 7384 5155 



Receipts at Paea. 



1910. 1909. 1908. 1907. 

 During April 3600 3760 3350 4490 



Price of Hard fine per lb. 10/6 5/4£ 3/6 4/10 

 „ Soft „ ,, 10/6 5/3^ 3/5^ 4/11 

 Total Crop Receipts. 

 (January, 1909- April, 1910.) 



1909-10. 1908-9. 1907-8. 1906-7. 

 Para and Caucho 35,780 34,240 32,045 33,955 

 Deliveries. 

 (During April.) 

 f England 2680 1380 1150 

 Para & Caucho \ America 490 1810 920 

 (Continent 550 490 490 



3720 3680 2560 



Total Stocks— All Sorts. 

 (Including Mediums.) 



1910 1909 1908 1907 

 London & Liverpool 



30th April 2784 2249 5180 3127 

 Position 1st May, 1910. 

 Decrease in receipts during April, 



1910, against April, 1909 ... 160 tons 



Increase in receipts — July, 1909/ 

 April, 1910, Para sorts against 

 last year ... 1540 do 



Increase in deliveries — April, 1910, 



against April, 1909 ... 40 do 



Decrease in visible supply Para 



kinds, againstMay 1st last year 1055 do 

 Increase in stock, London and 

 Liverpool, April 30th, 1910, 

 against stock April 30th, 1909, 

 all sorts ... 535 do 



