IN COSTA RICA 
193 
Although we had not come to Costa Rica particularly to look up 
rubber, there was one plantation that I was anxious to examine, which 
was said to contain over one hundred thousand Castilloas , most of 
which had been interplanted with bananas. These trees were three or 
four years old, and planted by one who had had much experience in 
tropical forestry throughout Central America. The Importer was so 
pleased with the city of San Jose and so relieved to get out of the heat 
of the lowlands that he decided to stay there, while the Manufacturer 
and the writer took another plunge into the hot country. We, therefore, 
left him for a further exploration of the city, and getting up at day- 
break, boarded the train and retraced our steps, sliding slowly downward 
RAILROAD ON THE WAY UP TO SAN JOSE. 
for hours, until we reached the lower levels. The journey downward 
was even slower than the climb, as the engineer must be on the lookout 
constantly for falling rocks and for landslides, and I fancy he is also 
particularly careful not to let the train get away from him, which, with 
the number of cars and the heavy freight carried would seem to be 
a not unlikely happening. We therefore enjoyed afresh the magnificent 
scenery, and before we got down to the tropics, the lovely, springlike 
weather. 
Reaching the plantation, we were warmly welcomed by the planter 
in charge, who got us horses and took us over the planting. It was the 
dry season and there had been no rain at all for five days, but the ground 
