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have a very dry habitat. However, just as we find here in Hawaii 
that the Ceara does better in wet localities, so with these vari- 
eties the same may be true. That the Ceara does better here where 
it is wet I think there is no doubt. I have myself in a little ex- 
periment station of my own tried watering some plants and leav- 
ing others in the same soil unwatered, and the watered plants 
far outstripped those unwatered and seemed to have as much or 
more latex, though the trees are still too young to draw conclusions 
from as to yield. 
In regard to these three varieties : 
(i) MANIHOT DICHOTOMA. 
The seeds of this variety are much larger than those of the 
Ceara. Germination takes place in two to three weeks if unfiled, 
the shell being much softer than in the case of the Ceara. The 
soil upon which this tree flourishes is variously described as red 
clay and red loam. The bark of this tree is thinner and more 
delicate than that of the Ceara. 
(2) AND (3) MANIHOT HEPTAPHYLLA AND MANIHOT PIAUHY- 
ENSIS. 
The seeds of these two varieties can hardly be distinguished 
from each other ; they are only a little larger than Ceara seeds. 
They do not germinate nearly as well as in the case of the Mani- 
hot dichotoma. These two varieties in the region around Bahia 
thrive in a sandy soil, growing largely on sandstone mountains. 
Both varieties do not grow as tall and are smaller than the Mani- 
hot dichotoma and inclined to branch low. They are not affected 
by the wind so much as Ceara, probably on account of being 
smaller and more low lying. This also affects the methods of 
tapping as explained later. The foliage is characteristically green 
and fresh looking. 
Methods of Planting. — There are a number of plantations 
around Bahia, some of which are now three or four years old. 
They are planted for the most part 1000 trees to the acre. This 
close planting has been adopted because the trees are planted in a 
dry locality and it is claimed that if not planted so closely, or say 
200 to the acre, the ground would be baked so hard and dry that 
the trees would dwindle and die. Also the trees are considerably 
smaller than other varieties and consequently need less room. 
Methods of Tapping. — In the case of the Manihot dichotoma 
the bark of the trunk is tapped and an instrument curved at the 
tip is used. The herring bone or a single cut is used. Cups are 
used to receive the latex. The latex coagulates quickly on expos- 
ure to air but apparently not too quickly to prevent its flowing 
down into the cups well. Water is sometimes used in the cups to 
prevent too rapid coagulation. 
In the case of the Manihot piauhyensis and Manihot hepta- 
