March 1907.] 



135 



Saps and Exudations, 



of rubber superior to any previously produced in the island. Unfortunately it was 

 found that the imported plant could not be easily acclimatized, and all attempts 

 at cultivation were for a time abandoned. A further experiment has quite recently 

 been commenced by a planter on the north-west coast with the object of growing 

 from slips or cuttings the more productive of the rubber trees indigenous to this 

 country. This undertaking has not yet sufficiently emerged from its initial stage 

 to form the subject of a report. 



The export of raw rubber has shown considerable development during the 

 past three years and I am assured that there is every prospect of the present 

 annual supply being maintained. The Customs' returns from 1901 to 1905 are : 



Exported in 1901 ... ... ... ... 189 tons. 



1902 ... ... ... ... 161 



1903 ... ... ... ... 584 „ 



1901 ... ... ... ... 8(55 „ 



1905 ... ... ... ... 904 „ 



With the object of furnishing as full information as possible on the rubber 

 industry of Madagascar, 1 have the honour to submit, enclosed herewith, the 

 principal official notices that have been published locally with respect thereto. 

 These comprise :— 



Inclosure No. 1. An exhaustive treatise on the rubber producing plants 

 found in the north-east of Madagascar, by Monsieur Thiry, Inspector of Forests. 

 Chapters 2 and 3, contains an illustrated description of the trees and plants found 

 in the North-East district, also of the methods employed by the natives in collecting 

 and preparing the rubber. Chapter 4 treats of the nature and properties of the 

 latex, indicating also the comparative production yielded by different plants. 

 Chapter 5 gives the results of experiments on the bark of the trees by pounding 

 in a mortar and passing through a sieve. Chapter deals with the planting out 

 of strips or cuttings (boutures) from rubber producing trees, estimates the probable 

 expenses and yield of a plantation during 24 years, and concludes with a report 

 from France on samples of Madagascar rubber submitted for examination. 



Inclosure No. 2. A report (by Monsieur Thiry) on the production of a vine 

 treated mechanically. 



Inclosure No. 3. A report (by Michelie and Compagnie) giving full des- 

 cription, commercial value and analyses of rubber from various parts of Madagascar 



Inclosure No. 4. The method of preparation in the Marolambo district (east) 



Inclosure No. 5. Description and illustratioa of rubber producing plants 

 in the Morandawa district, (west coast). 



Inclosure No. 6. Remarks on the " Manihot Glaziovii" which has been 

 unsuccessfully introduced with a view to cultivation. 



I have etc., 

 (Signed) T. P. PORTER, 



His Majesty's Consul. 



[We do not publish the long reports enclosed with this letter, but they may 

 be seen in the library at Peradeniya by anyone interested.— Ed. T.A.] 



COAGULATION OF CASTILLOA RUBBER. 



Manhattan Plantation, February 2nd 1900. 

 Sir,— Your favour of June 23rd, 1905 has just reached me. Replying to 

 your enquiry about the Sinclair Coagulator, beg to say that it consists of a piece 

 of board through which holes are bored 2 ins- by 2 ins. (holes should be about £ inch.). 

 Over this board a sheet of absorbent paper is placed, (I enclose sample) ; paper must 



