96 
certain standard, and that in my experience is most essential, 
and it is very essential that the bulk of the product should 
come up to the standard. 
Chairman Lufkin : The motion is duly seconded that a 
committee of three be appointed to investigate the rubber 
market, looking forward to future marketing of the rubber 
crop on the several plantations. Of course, in the present 
condition of the rubber business, we are all acting for this 
individually, and it would hardly be practicable, but in view 
of the fact that combinations are likely to be made, I think 
we are good business men enough to see the advantage of it, 
where the marketing can be done by one concern or agency. 
Mr. Turner : There are no two plantations that bring the 
same rubber ; they do not bring the same price. 
Chairman Lufkin: The object is to investigate the market, 
ascertaining the best form in which to place the rubber on the 
market, pancakes or whatever it is, and at the next meeting 
of this Convention to make a report which will put us in the 
right way of marketing the rubber at that time. I under- 
stand this committee is to make merely preliminary investi- 
gations. Motion carried. 
Air. von Damm : I would like to say that sometime ago I 
got a small sample of Xahiku rubber from Mr. Williamson 
and sent it to London, where a friend of mine in turn took it 
to experts, and he wrote me and said that they had not seen 
rubber in that shape before, but that these experts, after 
analyzing the sample, had said that it would fall not very 
far short from the top price of Para, and they were very 
anxious to find out whether it came from the hevea or ceara 
trees. I had written him that we were principally growing 
ceara on these Islands. The experts had had the impression 
that it might have come from the hevea tree. 
Mr. Anderson : We were told by manufacturers in New 
York that most of the ceara rubber they get is not properly 
washed and dried, that they had imported ceara rubber from 
abroad and had been unable to use or dispose of it and had 
sent it back. They said that all they needed was Avorking ♦ 
samples in order to give us a definite price for our rubber. 
ME. E. S. HOST^l^EE 'S EEMAEKS. 
Chairman Lufkin : My predecessor has very wisely ob- 
tained the consent of Mr. Hosmer to address the Association. 
Mr. Hosmer: I did not come here to make any speech; I 
only came as an individual member to show my interest in 
this Convention, and indeed I have not anything technically 
of interest to contribute. Unfortunately, the appropriations 
of our Board have not been sufficient for us to branch out, 
