203 



Saps and Exudations. 



After watching the growth of Para and Castilloa seedlings in nursery 

 beds, and Ceara trees in plantations, it is the Forester's opinion that all of 

 these species are well suited to the climatic and soil conditions as found in 

 the Island of Mindanao. 



Rambong (Ficus elastica), the other great rubber producing species under 

 cultivation, has been planted singly iu private grounds in many towns in the 

 Islands. All seem to thrive well. 



Which of these four species will give the greatest yearly returns per 

 acre in these Islands is a question which time alone can solve. Almost every 

 large ranch owner in the eastern part of the Island of Mindanao will plant 

 more or less rubber this year. Flans are being made to ,try all the principal 

 kinds of rubber trees, and it is hoped that the species best 'adapted to the 

 Philippines may be determined in the near future. 



With the ever increasing demand for rubber, the limited areas suitable 

 for its production, and the rapid exhaustion of the jungle product, it will doubtless 

 be many years before the supply will even in a small measure be able to meet 

 the demand. 



In this new country we have been slow in starting to plant rubber 

 but the first step in the right direction has been taken, and the day may not 

 be far distant when the Philippine Islands will be reckoned as an important 

 factor among the rubber produciug countries of the world. 



THE CEYLON RUBBER SHOW AT PERADENIYA. 



This proposal is taking shape ; and, as it will meet a keen public demand, 

 its realization is practically assured. The show is not to be held in the busy 

 mouth of February, however ; and consequently September is now named as 

 a suitable time. We understand that a representative stock of machinery for 

 dealing with rubber in its first manufactured stages has been ordered from home, 

 whereby Mr. Herbert Wright will be able to extend the scope of his experiments, and 

 by September these will all be on view and working. Thus, with all local 

 patentees in the field with their particular exhibits, and the Royal Botanical 

 Garden's staff working at full pressure, with the Peradeniya laboratory thrown 

 open, showing what is being done in the matter of latex experiments, the treatment 

 of various forms of disease, <&c, &e., besides competitive exhibits in the various 

 classes of dry rubber, it will be at once conceded that there will be ample material 

 for a very attractive and useful show. We have already spoken of the Kuala 

 Lumpur and Penang shows ; but the Peradeniya one would surpass these, and 

 be the best thing of its kind dealing with rubber which has been held any- 

 where. It must be held inside the Peradeniya grounds, because the trees, laboratory 

 and new machinery will also be there, For this reason it is supposed that an 

 entrance fee would be impossible, as such has never been charged at Peradeniya ; 

 but, even if some parts of the grounds must be kept open, there can surely 

 be an enclosure, not only to prevent too much crowding by people Avhose only 

 interest in the affair would be a "free show," but also to provide something 

 towards the expenses. The suggestions made by one or two interested in seeing 

 the proposition taken up include the proposal that the expenses be shared by the 

 Government and the Ceylon Planters' Association. The sum will not be a large one, 

 and doubtless the C. P. A. funds, though limited, could meet the moiety all right ; 

 but there can be no doubt about the Government's direct interest not only in the 

 show but also in the new industry ; for it must have already netted several lakhs 

 of rupees this year over land sales more than would have been the case if rubber 



