Gums, Resins 376 [Nov, 1906. 



Some of the trees are being tapped, and the result'of yield and quality of the rubber 

 will be looked forward to with interest by those engaged in the culture, and by 

 others who are Avaiting for proofs of the results of the experiments. The high 

 prices prevailing for first-class articles, and the apparently permanent demand for 

 rubber, have given a considerable impetus to rubber cultivation in Samoa. 



Other companies under able management have commenced operations here. 

 Notably the Berlin Caoutchouc Company at Saluafata, near Falefa, with an area of 

 6,000 to 7,000 acres. Their first clearing of 500 acres is now ready for planting out 

 and they have about 1,000,000 young Hevea plants growing in the nurseries. The 

 situation of this estate is ideal : a gradual ascent from the sea, with a maximum 

 height of, say, 600 feet above it ; Hie rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the 

 year. The soil is splendid, containing sufficient clayey mixture to retain moisture 

 in the event of prolonged dry weather. The whole is almost encircled by a high 

 range of mountains 1,500 to 2,500 feet in height. Next comes Mr. Harman's 

 (Birmingham) Upola rubber plantation. As yet there are no details respecting 

 the operations of this company; but, judging from the rapid progress made by 

 the Upola Cacao Company, which is under the same management, a promising 

 prospect may safely be predicted.' 



THE LONDON RUBBER MARKET. 



London, September 28th.— At to-day's aiiction, 334 packages of Ceylon and 

 Straits Settlements plantation grown rubber were under offer, of which about 259 

 were sold. The total weight amounted to over 20 tons, Ceylon contributing about 2£ 

 and Straits Settlements nearly 18. The market was fairly steady for all descriptions 

 and good general competition characterised the auction, though in many cases the 

 prices offered for the finest grades (principally crepe) did not come up to sellers' 

 ideas. A parcel consisting of 20 cases of very fine pressed blocks from the Lanadron 

 Estate (Johore) realised the top price in the auction, viz., 5s. lOd, per lb. The best 

 sheet and biscuits sold at from 5s. 6d. to 5s. 7|d., and crepe can also be quoted at the 

 same figure. There was a strong demand for the darkish crepe running up to about 

 4s. lOd. to 4s. lid. In Ceylons, one or two cases of fine biscuits realised 5s. 7d. per lb. 

 Plantation fine to-day.— 5s. 6d. to 5s. 7£d-, same period last year, 6s. 2d. to 6s. 

 3d. Plantation scrap.— 3s. to 4s. 6d., same period last year, 8s. lOd. to 5s. 4d. Fine hard 

 Para (South American).— 5s. lid., same period last year, 5s. 6d. Average price of 

 Ceylon and Straits Settlements plantation rubber.— 259 packages at 5s. 5jd. per lb., 

 against 163 packages at 4s. 9d. per lb. at last auction. Particulars and prices as 

 follows :— 



CEYLON. 



MARK. 



F. B. 



1 case 



Warriagalla 



1 



do 



Ballacadua 



3 



do 



Waharaka 



1 



do 



Palli 



1 



do 



Ingoya 



5 



do 



Langsland 



5 



do 



Culloden 



6 



do 



Ellakande 



2 



do 



Nikakotua 



8 



do 



QUANTITY, DESCRIPTION AND PRICE PER LB. 



scrap and rejections, 4s.; 1 case dark scrap 4s-; 2 cases ditto, 

 4s. l^d. 



good pale amber to darkish biscuits, 5s. 6d.; 1 bag ditto 

 dark, 5s. 4d. 



fine pale and palish biscuits, 5s. 7d. 



good darkish biscuits, 5s. 7d.; 2 cases darkish scrap, 3s. 9d. 

 pale and palish cut biscuits, 5s. 5£d.; 1 case heated scrap 

 and lump rejections, 4s. 



fine pale to darkish biscuits, 5s. 7d. ; 2 cases good palish to 

 darkish pressed scrap, 4s. 6£d. 



fine palish to darkish biscuits, 5s. 7d.; 4 cases good darkish 

 to dark biscuits, 5s. 6|d. 



fine pale to darkish biscuits, 5s. 7d.; 5 cases good palish 

 pressed crepe, 5s. l|d.; 2 cases ditto, very dark, 4s. 9jd. 

 good palish to darkish biscuits, 5s. 7d. 

 good palish to darkish sheet, 5s. 7d, 



