Cums, Resins, 



264 



[May 1907> 



The total area suitable for rubber does not exceed 10,000 acres, but the 

 present production might be considerably increased by the planting up of those 

 parts of this area which are at present unproductive. 



Llandolphia is not indigenous in the Island of Zanzibar, but experiments in 

 the cultivation of four exotic species., viz., Para rubber, Ceara rubber, Central 

 American and Ficus Elastica, which have been made at the Government plantations 

 at Dunga show that, although all of these grow well, they do not, probably owing to 

 the lightness and porosity of the soil, yield much latex. The Ceara species which 

 is very easily cultivated, growing rapidly from cuttings, is being used as a shade for 

 vanilla. 



Rubber is collected by the natives of Pemba by slicing off chips of the bark 

 of the vine from the bottom upwards, and applying salt water to the wounds when 

 the latex quickly coagulates and is easily peeled off and rolled into balls weighing 

 about one pound. 



Under a regulation that was issuea in order to put a stop to the practice of 

 rolling the rubber round a nucleus ot a stone, and of mixing in sand, all rubber balls 

 now have to be cut in halves before passing the customs. 



The export duty is fifteen per cent ad valorem. 



THE CULTIVATION OF RUBBER IN GERMAN EAST AFRICA. 

 The cultivation of rubber in German East Africa is of comparatively recent 

 introduction, though the produce of the indigenous varieties has, almost since the 

 foundation of the colony formed an article of export of more or less importance. 



Extent of Plantations.— At the present moment the total acreage of the 

 rubber plantations in various parts of the German Protectorate does not exceed 1,200 

 acres. These plantations are mostly situated in the lowlying country of the 

 Northern districts, but experimental planting at various altitudes throughout the 

 colony has yielded not unpromising results. 



Manihot Glaziovii.— For practical purposes the cultivation of only one class 

 of rubber, namely, the Manihot Glaziovii (Ceara Rubber) has so far been carried on 

 to any considerable extent. This species does not appear to have any very special 

 requirements as to soil, and equally good results have been obtained from its culti. 

 vation in all parts of the Colony. Asa general rule it lias been found that the land 

 will carry from six hundred to nine hundred trees to the acre, and that trees of from 

 three to four years' growth may reasonably be expected to yield three and a half 

 ounces of dry rubber per tree per annum, although at the experimental stations at 

 Amani over seven ounces have been obtained. The trees attain a height of about 10 

 feet after 8 months or a year's growth, 



Other Varieties.— Systematic experiments with respect to the cultivation 

 of other species of rubber are constantly being made at the Agricultural Institute 

 at Amani, and fair results have been obtained from the following kinds x—Kickxia 

 elabtiva, Ma^carenhasia elastwa, Caslilloa elaaliva. Hevea brasiliensis, and Ficus 

 elastica. The last three especially have shown good promise in the lowlying districts 

 of the Sigi Valley near Tanga. 



Endeavours are being made by the Agricultural Department in German East 

 Africa to induce the planters not to confine their attention exclusively to the 

 Atanihol glasiovii, but to interest themselves also in the higher grade rubbers, such 

 for instance as the Hevea Brasilieimis (Para rubber), as the increasing output of high 

 class rubbers in various parts of the world may ultimately place at a disadvantage 

 Buck plantatiouB m only cultivate the less valued varieties. 



