Gums, Resins, 



i 



fJuLY, 1908. 



The question of the best method of 

 tapping is well laid down in Wright's 

 "Para Rubber,"* but there is always the 

 possibility that local circumstances will 

 compel the adoption of methods differ- 

 ing slightly from those found successful 

 in other countries. We see spiral cut- 

 ting strongly recommended and illus- 

 trated, and have found it a successful 

 method with trees growing strictly 

 perpendicular, but it is evidently one 

 which cannot be used with leaning trees. 



Manihot, Ficus, and Landolphia. 



These three rubbers, at present, do 

 not commend themselves to our culti- 

 vators for various reasons. Manihot 

 Glaziovii has, however, been tried on one 

 or two estates, and one of these, situated 

 on a hillside, is reported as doing well. 

 Ficus elastica grows readily and last.s 

 for a long time, but is only cultivated as 

 individual specimens. Landol%tlua spp. 

 exist in the gardens, and one of them 

 affords rubber of fair quality. These 

 rubbers are not at present sought by 

 planters. 



Lagos Silk Rubber. 



Funtumia elastica is being largely 

 planted. Many thousands of seeds have 

 been sold during the past year, and 

 plants to the number of nearly 50,000 

 have been distributed, or stand to order 

 from the nurseries at the Experiment 

 Station. This tree affords rubber at an 

 earlier age than airy other rubbers. 



Specimens of rubber taken from trees 

 six and a half years old were reported 

 upon by the Imperial Institute in 1903, 

 when 80 per cent, of caoutchouc was 

 found, and Professor Dunstan in his 

 reportt states that it would be desirable 

 to examine specimens from older trees. 



In 1903, this rubber, compared with 

 Castilloa from trees over twelve years old, 

 was valued by London brokers at 2d. 

 to 3d. less per lb. than Castilloa. We 

 are not yet in possession of sufficient 

 evidence to make a statement as to yield, 

 but those persons who have seen it in 

 its native forest consider the yieid satis- 

 factory. 



Balata. 



Of balata (the produce of Miniusops 

 globosa) there is little to report. The 

 tree is indigenous to Trinidad and South 

 America and produces fine timber for 

 railway work. A considerable number 

 of inquiries have been received for 



* Mevea brasilieasis or Para Rubber by Herbert 

 Wright, a.b.c.s., EMi.Sij Colombo; Messrs. A.M. 

 and J. Ferguson. 



t Bulletin of the Imperial Institute, 1903. No, 

 ft PJ?> 160-7. 



plants at the St. Clair nurseries, and 

 plots have been started at St. Clair and 

 on the Government estate at Diego 

 Martin, Trinidad, so as to have a con- 

 venient supply of seed on hand to meet 

 future demands. 



At present the forest has to be de- 

 pended on for supplies. 



Many applications have been received 

 for seed from foreign and colonial estab- 

 lishments, which show that consider- 

 able interest is taken in this product. 



Trinidad exports but little of the 

 locally grown product, but considerable 

 quantities are shipped from Venezuela 

 via Trinidad. 



The tree is of slow growth and the 

 seeds are difficult to transport. Even 

 when fresh they take a long time to 

 germinate, periods of twelve months 

 having frequently been observed from 

 the time of sowing to germination. In 

 she St. Clair nurseries the germination 

 is hastened by grinding or filing away 

 the hard exterior of the seed to allow 

 access of moisture. 



Conclusion. 



In conclusion, I am able to state that 

 the rubber industry is now well estab- 

 lished in Trinidad, and that there is a 

 prospect of abundant success. The 

 initial difficulties have been met and 

 overcome, and it is probable that, with 

 further experience in the details of 

 manipulation, greater economy and 

 profit will follow. 



Estates planted witli rubber have 

 largely increased in value, and planters 

 are beginning to appreciate the feeling 

 of adding to their established industries 

 one that promises well for the future. — 

 West Indian Bulletin. Vol. VIII, 1907, 

 No. 2. 



RUBBER IN BRITISH GUIANA. 



The possibilities of the rubber industry 

 in British Guiana are mentioned very 

 favourably in the Heport for 1906-7 of 

 the Lauds and Mines Department of that 

 colony. 



Reference is made to the fact that 

 iudigenous rubber trees, notably tiapium 

 Jenrnani, are growing luxuriantly in the 

 lower reaches of all the rivers in the 

 North-West District, as well as on the 

 banks and islands of the Essequebo 

 river, and the Commissioner of Landa 

 and Mines is strongly of opinion that 

 rubber cultivation in the colony should 

 receive every encouragement, The low» 



