376 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [Dec. 1, 1903. 
This was a small ball of rubber, about 1§ in. in 
diameter, ratlier sticky and daik biowa in colouc 
externally ; the freshly-cnt surface as pinkish-white 
in the centre of Lhe bill, but turned brown on ex- 
posure to the air, and was not so sticky as the 
outside surface ; it had a sour, mouldy odour, and 
contained small particles of vegetable matter; the 
ball was fairly elastic, and fragments of the rubber 
stretched well without breaking ; the rubber partially 
melted when heated to 120° 0. 
2. Bobber from Nandi forwarded by Mr. Hobley. 
A small ball of rubber, almost exactly resembling 
No. 1 in appearance and properties, the only differ- 
ences being that it contained more moisture and 
the freshly-cut surface was much whiter. 
3. Rubber from Ta,kaungu. 
A ball of rubber about 2j iu. in diameter, brown 
in colour externally and slightly sticky ; the fresbly- 
cut surface showed a mottled appearance, varying 
from white to light brown iu colour, and was not 
sticky; the ball was slightly porous, and contained 
small particles of vegetable matter distributed through 
it ; it was Very elastic, and fragments of the rubber 
stretched well without breaking ; it went sticky when 
heated in the water-oven, and melted almost com- 
pletely at 120° 0. 
So far as chemical comnosition is concerned, the 
rubber from Takuungu is of very good quality, since 
it contains a low percentage of moisture and resin 
and 81 per cent, of true caoutchouc, being much 
superior in these respects to the samples from N»ndi 
in which the percentage of resin is much higher. 
The two rubbers from Nandi are, as already pointed 
ont, almost identical in appearance, and also agree 
very closely in composition, as is seen on comparing 
the following figures calculated for the dry material : — 
Eesin, Caoutchouc, Dirt. 
I. 13-6 ... 77-1 ... 9-3 
II. 12-2 ... 78 2 9 6 
It would seem probable, therefore, that the two 
specimens were derived from the same or very closely 
allied species of plant. 
COMMERCIAL VALUATION. 
Samples of the rubbers, together with the results of 
the chemical examination, were submitted to brokers 
for commercial valuation- They report that the speci- 
men from Takaungu, which they describe as nice, 
hard, red rubber, would sell well at about 2s. Qd. 
to 2s 7d. per lb., ex warehouse in London, it not 
sticky. The samples from Nandi are described as a 
rather softer rubber, Nyasa character, and dark coated 
which, if not heated, would be worth about ^s.'Bd, 
to 2s. id. per lb. The brokers add that all the samples 
appear to have been externally heated, but suggest 
that this may possibly have occurred during transit, 
and that larger consignments might not sbow this 
defect. The market is very good at present, and as 
medium rubbers are scarce, such qualities as repre- 
sented by the samples would sell readily. 
It is clear from the above report that consignments 
of rubber of similar quality to these samples could 
be easily disposed of in the London market. — Board 
of Trade Journal- 
NOTES ON PRODUCTS EECENTLY RECEIVED 
TROM BRITISH CENTRAL AFRICA. 
A pumber of new samples of products of British 
Central Africa have been recently forwarded to the 
Imperial Institute by H.M. Commissioner and Consul- 
General at Zomba, most of them having been collected 
by Mr. J. McClounie, head of the Scientific Depart- 
ment of the Protectorate. The samples have been 
sent for exhibition and for examination by the Scienti- 
fic and Technical Department of the Imperial Institute. 
A descriptive report by Mr. McClounie contains the 
fgllowiDg particulars ;— 
Coffee. — It ia gratifying to be able to state that 
owing to the inland position of British Central Africa 
and to precautionary measures enforced by the 
Government, coftee leaf disease is as yet unkoown in 
the Shire Hiahlands. Nearly all the coffee estates are 
situated at altitudes varying from 1,900 feet to 3,000 
feet. The export of coffee from 1897 to 1900 was as 
follows : — 
Tons Tons 
1897 .. .. 384 1899 959 
1898 361 1900 .. .. 557 
The value of the coffee exported in 1901 was 14,751^., 
as compared with 26,5772. in 190O. The decrease was 
due partly to the year having been unfavourable to the 
growth of the plant, and partly to the prevailing low 
prices. 
Tea. — Tea was introduced into British Ceiitral Africa 
many years ago, but it is only within the least two or 
three years that efforts have been made to prepare the 
product for sale. It is not expected that there will be 
any extensive production for some years to come owing 
to the difficulty of obtaining seed for new plantations. 
The samples sent were prepared by hand. 
Tobacco, — The samples of unfermented leaf show 
the product as taken from the drying sheds. The 
manufactured tobacco, although it might not pay on 
the London market, meets with a ready sale, locally 
and in Rhodesia, at remunerative prices. When ex- 
perience has taught the planters how to produce a 
quality of tobacco suited to the English market, the 
production is expected to become highly remuDerntive, 
as the cost of labour and land is comparatively small, 
and the climatic conditions are favourable to the 
tcrowth of the plant. 
Rubber. — The sample of rubber is one of good 
quality, obtained from the indigenous Landolphias. 
The latter can be profitably cultivated only on a large 
scale as it requires about ten years to bring the plant 
from seed to a condition suitable for tapping. Accord- 
ing to the latest report of Mr. Commissioner Sharpe lo 
the Foreign Office {Diplomatic and Consular Beports, 
No. 2,872, Annual Series), the amount of rubber export, 
ed from the Protectorate has considerably decreased. 
The rubber producing area was small and has soon 
been exhausted. The bulk of rubber now exported 
comes through the Protectorate from territories to the 
north and west. 
Fibres. — The fibres sent are those of Sansevieria 
and Furoraea (Mauritius hemp). Sansevieria grown 
wild all over British Central Africa, and Farcraea is 
easily propagated snd grows rapidly. Success in fibre 
cultivation, however, depends upon freights and 
markets, and as the freight to London is 101. to 12^. per 
ton, and good fibre may fetch 201, or a little over, the 
margin of profit to the grower is so small, after the 
cost of production has been paid, that he is induced to 
turn his attention to more remunerative products. 
The sample of Farcraea was valued by brokers in 
London at 262. per ton, and waia described as " clean, 
rather short, colour yellow " ; the Sansevierin waa 
described as '■' poor cleaning, length fair, colour yellow 
sandy, value 211. per ton. " The average value would 
be rather low, as at the time of the above quotation 
prices were high. 
Beeswax. — The samples received were prepared from 
material brought in by the natives. It is stated that 
beeswax might be easily produced in large quantities, 
and with considerable profit at present prices. 
Ginger and Turmeric, — Small quantities of ginger 
are produced on seve'-al estates. From specimens 
grown in the Zomba Botanic Gardens, it nppeara that 
if cultivated on the rich black soil so fraquently met 
with in marshy places, ginger might become a fairly 
remunerative product. Its preparation for the mar- 
ket does not require expensive machiuery, and ita 
cultivation gives little trouble. 
The samples of turmeric were obtaitted from indi. 
genons plants. Low market pricesi howef'^i^i offer little 
inducement to cultivation. 
