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Saps and Exudations. 



CEYLON PLANTATION RUBBER. 



By Gustave Van Der Kerckhove. 



(Translation of an article which appeared in a German Rubber Trade Journal.) 



The English planters, who some years ago resolved to employ a considerable 

 amount of capital in planting rubber trees in Ceylon and the Straits Settlements, 

 are now beginning to reap the fruits of their enterprise and perseverance. 

 The London market has been receiving for some time now regular consignments 

 of raw rubber from the Hevea (Para) Plantations in Ceylon and the Malay 

 Peninsula. 



Three or four years ago it created a great sensation on the London market 

 when samples of the new rubber were offered, and it was my lot to be one of the 

 experts who had to give a valuation of the 7iew product. The opinions were 

 unanimous that the rubber was of fine quality and had been very carefully prepared 

 so that very good results would be obtained in the manufactories. The valuations 

 were, therefore, higher than those for " fine Para." These opinions were con- 

 firmed by various sales and even today the fine sheets and discs (biscuits ?) 

 from Ceylon obtain a higher price than " fine Para." The new rubber has certainly 

 gained the favour of the market. 



These excellent results must of necessity give rise to numerous comments. 

 For example, I read lately in a colonial review an article entitled " Brazil 

 beaten by Ceylon." According to the arguments of the author Ceylon rubber has 

 clearly deposed "fine Para" from its throne. These are, of course, merely phrases 

 to which importance cannot be attached, but in certain Colonial circles they 

 receive an interpretation which is not in accordance with the actual facts. 



As mentioned above, since the commencement of the importation, the value 

 of Ceylon rubber has been higher than that of fine Para. This higher value 

 was based, and today is based, on the small loss in weight after manufacture and 

 not on the condition as regards elasticity. In all probability I am saying nothing 

 new when I maintain that fine Para is by no means dethroned and, as regards 

 elasticity and resistibility, it remains so far the king of rubbers, and will remain 

 king for a long time to come. 



When one examines the special properties of the two rubbers, one 

 finds that although Para rubber does not quite contain the special purity of the 

 Ceylon rubber, yet that it, (the Para) is naturally more elastic and resistible 

 than the latter. The expression " resistible " applies here to durability or in 

 other words— the Para rubber is, if exposed to the influences of the weather, 

 more durable than the Ceylon rubber. To what is this difference attributable? 

 apparently to the system of coagulation. 



Even when I fully recognize the splendid work done by the planters and 

 notwithstanding the high prices obtained by the Ceylon rubber, I do not hesitate 

 to give those interested in the cultivation of Hevea in Ceylon and the Malayan 

 Peninsula the advice to study carefully the possibility of coagulating the latter 

 through smoke. They will thus be able to impart to their product the resisti- 

 bility which is the distinguishing feature of the Para. 



That which is wanting in the Ceylon rubber is the antiseptic principle, 

 the creosote which is contained in smoke- Besides this the planter must keep 

 the future in view. For without doubt as soon as the imports from Ceylon 

 and the Malay Peninsula attain to an important number of tons instead of the 

 present output of a few thousand kilos, the prices will not be higher than those 

 of fine Para ; I maintain they will be lower. The one means to prevent this 



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